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Job 39:27

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Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?

Doth the eagle {H5404} mount up {H1361} at thy command {H6310}, and make {H7311} her nest {H7064} on high {H7311}?

Does the eagle fly up when you say so, to build its nest in the heights?

Does the eagle soar at your command and make his nest on high?

Is it at thy command that the eagle mounteth up, And maketh her nest on high?

Commentary

Job 39:27 is part of God's profound discourse to Job, where the Almighty challenges Job's understanding and wisdom by presenting a series of rhetorical questions about the natural world. This particular verse focuses on the majestic eagle, asking if Job has the power to command its flight or dictate its habitat.

Context

This verse is situated within God's powerful response to Job's complaints and questioning, beginning in Job chapter 38 and continuing through chapter 41. After Job's extensive suffering and his friends' misguided counsel, God directly addresses Job from a whirlwind, demonstrating His unmatched power, wisdom, and sovereign control over all creation. The questions posed are designed to highlight human limitation and ignorance in comparison to God's infinite knowledge and authority. The eagle is one of many examples from nature that God uses to illustrate His creative genius and providential care over even the wild, untamed aspects of His world.

Key Themes

  • God's Absolute Sovereignty: The verse powerfully emphasizes that God alone possesses the authority to command the natural world. The eagle's instinctual flight and high nesting habits are not random occurrences but are instilled and sustained by divine design. This points to God's absolute control over all creation.
  • Human Limitation and Humility: By asking if Job can command the eagle, God underscores the vast chasm between human capability and divine power. It serves as a humbling reminder that humanity cannot comprehend or control the intricate workings of the universe, much less dictate the actions of a wild bird.
  • Divine Wisdom in Creation: The eagle's ability to "mount up" (soar majestically) and "make her nest on high" (in inaccessible places) speaks to the incredible design and instinct God has placed within His creatures. These natural behaviors are a testament to God's unparalleled wisdom and foresight.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "eagle" is nesher (נֶשֶׁר), which broadly refers to a large bird of prey, often understood as an eagle or possibly a griffon vulture. The verb "mount up" (ya'aleh) signifies ascending, rising, or soaring, capturing the magnificent, effortless flight of such a bird. The rhetorical question format, "Doth the eagle mount up at thy command...?", expects a resounding "No" from Job, further affirming God's unique power and authority.

Cross-References & Connections

The eagle is often used in scripture as a symbol of strength, swiftness, and renewal. For instance, Isaiah 40:31 famously speaks of those who wait upon the Lord renewing their strength and "mounting up with wings as eagles." This imagery reinforces the eagle's connection to power and elevation, underscoring God's control over such mighty creatures. The theme of God's command over creation is pervasive throughout the Bible, seen from the creation account in Genesis 1:1 to the psalmist's declarations of God's dominion over the earth and its inhabitants (e.g., Psalm 104:24).

Practical Application

Job 39:27 serves as a powerful reminder for us today to cultivate humility before God. In a world where we often strive for control and understanding, this verse calls us to acknowledge God's ultimate sovereignty over all things, both seen and unseen. It encourages us to trust in His perfect wisdom and providence, knowing that the same God who guides the eagle's flight also orchestrates the details of our lives. When faced with life's uncertainties or challenges, we can find peace in knowing that we serve a God who is in complete command, far beyond our comprehension or ability to direct. This leads to a deeper reverence and worship of our Creator.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 49:16 (5 votes)

    Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, [and] the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.

  • Obadiah 1:4 (5 votes)

    Though thou exalt [thyself] as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.

  • Exodus 19:4 (3 votes)

    Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and [how] I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

  • Hosea 8:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ [Set] the trumpet to thy mouth. [He shall come] as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.

  • Proverbs 23:5 (2 votes)

    Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for [riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

  • Leviticus 11:13 (2 votes)

    And these [are they which] ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they [are] an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,

  • Isaiah 40:31 (2 votes)

    But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.