“The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are they the pinions and plumage of love?
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse challenges us to consider the ostrich's powerful wings, not just for their appearance, but whether they are designed for the same "kindly" or affectionate purpose as those of a stork, which was known for its parental care. This subtle contrast highlights that the ostrich's magnificent wings, while impressive for speed, serve a different, less nurturing function, reflecting God's diverse and often unexpected design.
“The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are they the pinions and plumage of love?
English Standard Version (ESV)
In this section, God is directly confronting Job, using vivid descriptions of wild animals to showcase His power and wisdom in creation. After detailing the strength of the wild donkey and the lion, the focus shifts to the ostrich, highlighting its unique and seemingly contradictory characteristics as further evidence of divine artistry. The surrounding verses emphasize the bird’s incredible speed and its peculiar instincts, contrasting it with more familiar or "pious" birds to underscore God's unfathomable ways.
The ostrich has wings, but they don't work like most birds'. What's the point of wings that don't fly?
God’s design isn't always about fulfilling our expectations of how things should work. The ostrich’s wings are a prime example.
A Different Kind of Wing
While birds like eagles and hawks use their wings for soaring and speed in the air, the ostrich's wings are adapted for something else entirely: incredible running speed. They act like sails, catching the wind and helping it to achieve speeds that outrun even horses!
Purposeful Design
This isn't a flaw in creation; it's a feature. God designed the ostrich with wings perfectly suited for its desert environment and its need for swift evasion. It’s a powerful reminder that God’s wisdom in creation often looks different than we might predict, but it's always purposeful and effective.
Why does Job bring up the stork when talking about the ostrich? It's all about contrasting divine attributes.
This verse sets up a fascinating comparison between the ostrich and the stork, highlighting different aspects of God’s wisdom and character as reflected in His creatures.
The Stork: Symbol of Devotion
The Hebrew word for stork, 'chasidah,' carries the meaning of 'kindness' or 'piety.' This bird was known in the ancient world for its strong parental care and affection for its young. It symbolized a devoted, nurturing love.
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The Ostrich: A Different Instinct
In contrast, the ostrich is presented with wings that 'wave proudly' and a cry that suggests exultation or even a lack of deep parental concern (some ancient interpretations even called it the 'impious bird'). Its instinct is focused on survival through speed, sometimes at the expense of immediate care for its offspring.
God's Diverse Wisdom
God’s creation isn’t a one-size-fits-all model. He displays His wisdom through creatures that embody different traits – from the devoted stork to the swift, instinct-driven ostrich. This contrast challenges us to see the full spectrum of His creative power and the diverse ways His attributes are revealed.
Understand the original words
ranan · Hebrew Verb/Adjective concept
In biblical thought, a quality often associated with human arrogance or the haughty display of created power that lacks the deeper, nurturing characteristics of divine design.
chasidah · Hebrew Noun
The primary manifestation of covenantal commitment, self-sacrifice, and nurturing care. It is the active, protective affection that stands in contrast to indifference or neglect.
This Psalm speaks of birds making their nests in trees, and the stork is specifically mentioned, highlighting it as a known and significant bird in the biblical world.
Jeremiah 8:7This passage contrasts the instinctual knowledge of migratory birds like the stork with the stubborn ignorance of God's people, implying the stork possesses a natural wisdom.
Matthew 23:37Jesus uses a powerful image of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings, a metaphor for protective care that starkly contrasts with the ostrich's perceived neglect of its young.
Romans 1:23This verse speaks of exchanging the truth about God for a lie, which can be paralleled with the ostrich's impressive wings that appear designed for flight but ultimately serve a different, earthbound purpose.
cambridgeJob 39:13: "Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?"
13 . The verse reads, The wing of the ostrich beats joyously, Is it a kindly pinion and feather? The word rendered ostrich means lit. crying or wailing , that is, the cryer or wailer; the female ostrich is probably meant, see on ch. Job 30:29 . The word “kindly,” lit. pious , is the name given to the stork ( Psalm 104:17 ), whose affection for its young is proverbial, and there may be in the ter…
clarkeJob 39:13: "Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?"
The goodly wings unto the peacocks? - I believe peacocks are not intended here; and the Hebrew word רננים renanim should be translated ostriches; and the term חסידה chasidah, which we translate ostrich, should be, as it is elsewhere translated, stork; and perhaps the word נצה notsah, rendered here feathers, should be translated hawk, or pelican. The Vulgate has, Penna struthionis similis est…
The verse challenges us to consider the ostrich's powerful wings, not just for their appearance, but whether they are designed for the same "kindly" or affectionate purpose as those of a stork, which was known for its parental care. This subtle contrast highlights that the ostrich's magnificent wings, while impressive for speed, serve a different, less nurturing function, reflecting God's diverse and often unexpected design.
In this section, God is directly confronting Job, using vivid descriptions of wild animals to showcase His power and wisdom in creation. After detailing the strength of the wild donkey and the lion, the focus shifts to the ostrich, highlighting its unique and seemingly contradictory characteristics as further evidence of divine artistry. The surrounding verses emphasize the bird’s incredible speed and its peculiar instincts, contrasting it with more familiar or "pious" birds to underscore God's unfathomable ways.
In this section, God is directly confronting Job, using vivid descriptions of wild animals to showcase His power and wisdom in creation. After detailing the strength of the wild donkey and the lion, the focus shifts to the ostrich, highlighting its unique and seemingly contradictory characteristics as further evidence of divine artistry. The surrounding verses emphasize the bird’s incredible speed and its peculiar instincts, contrasting it with more familiar or "pious" birds to underscore God's unfathomable ways.
"“The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are they the pinions and plumage of love?" — The verse challenges us to consider the ostrich's powerful wings, not just for their appearance, but whether they are designed for the same "kindly" or affectionate purpose as those of a stork, which…
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Last reviewed October 2026