Job 39:19-20
“Do you give the horse his might? Do you clothe his neck with a mane? Do you make him leap like the locust? His majestic snorting is terrifying.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse challenges Job by asking if he is the source of the horse's incredible strength and its awe-inspiring mane. It’s not just about the physical attributes, but the "thunder" in its neck, hinting at a powerful, almost terrifying presence that only the Creator could design and bestow.
God continues to challenge Job by vividly describing the awe-inspiring power and instinct of the war horse. These verses reveal how the Creator endowed this magnificent creature with courage, speed, and a fierce readiness for battle, qualities no human could bestow. The focus here is on the horse's inherent might and terrifying majesty in conflict, contrasting with Job's own limited understanding and power.
Ever looked at a horse and wondered about its incredible power and beauty? The Bible does too, and it asks a radical question about who’s really in charge of that magnificence.
In Job 39, God is taking Job on a tour of His creation, showing off creatures that are wild, powerful, and beyond human control. He zeroes in on the horse, asking Job directly: 'Do you give the horse its strength? Do you put that impressive mane on its neck?'
God's Question to Job
This isn't just a rhetorical question; it's a challenge. Job, who has been questioning God’s justice and power, is being reminded that the very abilities he might admire in an animal are divine gifts.
The point is clear: humans don't engineer these qualities. They are bestowed by the Creator.
Imagine the ground shaking, the air filled with a mighty neigh, and a powerful animal charging into battle. The Bible doesn't just see a horse; it sees a divine masterpiece designed for awe.
The description of the horse in Job 39 is vivid, focusing on its role as a war animal. It’s a creature that inspires both admiration and fear, a testament to God's creative power.
A Creature of Battle
Understand the original words
geburah · Hebrew Noun
Might denotes strength, power, or vigor. In scripture, it is frequently attributed to God as the source of all power, whether in nature, humanity, or angelic beings, emphasizing that strength is a bestowed gift rather than an inherent possession.
eimah · Hebrew Noun
In biblical imagery, terror or being 'terrifying' often refers to the overwhelming awe or dread inspired by God's creation or His own presence. It signifies a power so great that it commands respect, fear, and submissiveness.
The description of the warhorse in Job reflects a time when horses were a powerful military force, admired for their strength, courage, and terrifying presence on the battlefield, especially in the context of powerful empires like Assyria and Babylonia.
c. 1800 BC - 1500 BC
Introduction of the Horse to Egypt and the Near East
The horse, likely originating in Central Asia, was introduced to the Near East and Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period. Its use, initially for chariotry in warfare, rapidly spread.
c. 1500 BC
Egyptians Employ Chariot Warfare
Egyptian pharaohs used horses and chariots extensively in warfare and processions, a significant military innovation that influenced neighboring regions.
c. 1300 BC
The Hittite Empire's Horse Warfare
The Hittites were renowned horsemen and masters of chariot warfare, often clashing with Egypt for control of Syria. Their military might was largely built on their cavalry.
c. 1000 BC
The Rise of Mounted Warfare
As iron technology advanced, horses became increasingly important not just for chariots but also for mounted cavalry, changing the nature of battlefield tactics.
This Psalm marvels at God's power, noting that He does not delight in the strength of a horse, implying strength of this kind originates from Him.
Jeremiah 8:16This verse describes the terrifying sound of approaching horses, echoing the awe and fear inspired by the war horse mentioned in Job.
Romans 8:6Paul contrasts the 'mind of the flesh' with the 'mind of the Spirit,' similar to how Job highlights the horse's powerful, instinct-driven nature as a creation of God, distinct from human reasoning.
Habakkuk 3:8The prophet describes God's powerful chariot and arrows, using imagery of His wrath and might that parallels the awe-inspiring descriptions of the war horse in Job.
jfbJob 39:19: "Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?"
- The allusion to "the horse" (Job 39:18), suggests the description of him. Arab poets delight in praising the horse; yet it is not mentioned in the possessions of Job (Job 1:3; 42:12). It seems to have been at the time chiefly used for war, rather than "domestic purposes."thunder—poetically for, "he with arched neck inspires fear as thunder does." Translate, "majesty" [Umbreit]. Rather "the trembling, q…
ellicottJob 39:19: "Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?"
(19) Thunder — i.e., with terror, such as thunder causes. Some refer it to the moving or shaking of the mane.
This verse challenges Job by asking if he is the source of the horse's incredible strength and its awe-inspiring mane. It’s not just about the physical attributes, but the "thunder" in its neck, hinting at a powerful, almost terrifying presence that only the Creator could design and bestow.
God continues to challenge Job by vividly describing the awe-inspiring power and instinct of the war horse. These verses reveal how the Creator endowed this magnificent creature with courage, speed, and a fierce readiness for battle, qualities no human could bestow. The focus here is on the horse's inherent might and terrifying majesty in conflict, contrasting with Job's own limited understanding and power.
God continues to challenge Job by vividly describing the awe-inspiring power and instinct of the war horse. These verses reveal how the Creator endowed this magnificent creature with courage, speed, and a fierce readiness for battle, qualities no human could bestow. The focus here is on the horse's inherent might and terrifying majesty in conflict, contrasting with Job's own limited understanding and power.
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c. 900 BC - 600 BC— this verse
Assyrian and Babylonian Military Might
Great empires like Assyria and Babylonia relied heavily on well-trained horses and cavalry for their expansionist military campaigns and control of territories.
"“Do you give the horse his might? Do you clothe his neck with a mane? Do you make him leap like the locust? His majestic snorting is terrifying." — This verse challenges Job by asking if he is the source of the horse's incredible strength and its awe-inspiring mane. It’s not just about the physical attributes, but the "thunder" in its neck, hi…
