Job 39:15
Job 39:15 in Multiple Translations
She forgets that a foot may crush them, or a wild animal may trample them.
And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, Or that the wild beast may trample them.
Without a thought that they may be crushed by the foot, and broken by the beasts of the field?
She doesn't think that they can be crushed underfoot, trampled by a wild animal.
Wilt thou beleeue him, that he will bring home thy seede, and gather it vnto thy barne?
And she forgetteth that a foot may press it, And a beast of the field tread it down.
and forgets that the foot may crush them, or that the wild animal may trample them.
And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
She forgetteth that the foot may tread upon them, or that the beasts of the field may break them.
Ostriches do not worry that some wild animal may step on the eggs and crush them [DOU].
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 39:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 39:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ֭/תִּשְׁכַּח
כִּי
רֶ֣גֶל
תְּזוּרֶ֑/הָ
וְ/חַיַּ֖ת
הַ/שָּׂדֶ֣ה
תְּדוּשֶֽׁ/הָ
וַ֭/תִּשְׁכַּח
shâkach
H7911
to forget
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
רֶ֣גֶל
regel
H7272
foot
N-fs
תְּזוּרֶ֑/הָ
zûwr
H2115
to crush
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs | Suff
וְ/חַיַּ֖ת
chay
H2416
alive
Conj | N-fs
הַ/שָּׂדֶ֣ה
sâdeh
H7704
field
Art | N-ms
תְּדוּשֶֽׁ/הָ
dûwsh
H1758
to tread
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 39:15
וַ֭/תִּשְׁכַּח
shâkach
H7911
"to forget"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
To forget something means to mislay it or be oblivious to it. This Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe when people forget things, like God's commands. The KJV translates it as 'to forget' or 'at all'.
Definition: 1) to forget, ignore, wither 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to forget 1a2) to cease to care 1b) (Niphal) to be forgotten 1c) (Piel) to cause to forget 1d) (Hiphil) to make or cause to forget 1e) (Hithpael) to be forgotten Aramaic equivalent: she.khach (שְׁכַח "to find" H7912)
Usage: Occurs in 95 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, (cause to) forget. See also: Genesis 27:45; Psalms 106:13; Psalms 9:13.
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
רֶ֣גֶל
regel
H7272
"foot"
N-fs
This word also means a foot, like when God says he will tread on the wicked in Malachi 4:3. It's used to describe human and animal feet, as well as the base of objects like tables or idols.
Definition: 1) foot 1a) foot, leg 1b) of God (anthropomorphic) 1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table 1d) according to the pace of (with prep) 1e) three times (feet, paces) Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)
Usage: Occurs in 232 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time. See also: Genesis 8:9; 2 Samuel 22:39; Psalms 8:7.
תְּזוּרֶ֑/הָ
zûwr
H2115
"to crush"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs | Suff
This word means to press or crush something, like when the Israelites were oppressed by the Egyptians in Exodus 1. It can also mean to close up or squeeze, like when a wound is closed, as described in the story of the wounded man in Luke 10.
Definition: 1) (Qal) to press, squeeze, crush, press down and out 1a) to close up (of a wound)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: close, rush, thrust together. See also: Judges 6:38; Job 39:15; Isaiah 1:6.
וְ/חַיַּ֖ת
chay
H2416
"alive"
Conj | N-fs
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
הַ/שָּׂדֶ֣ה
sâdeh
H7704
"field"
Art | N-ms
A field or land is what this word represents, often referring to a flat area of land used for cultivation or as a habitat for wild animals, as described in the book of Genesis. It can also mean a plain or a country, as opposed to a mountain or sea. This term is used in the story of Ruth and Boaz.
Definition: 1) field, land 1a) cultivated field 1b) of home of wild beasts 1c) plain (opposed to mountain) 1d) land (opposed to sea)
Usage: Occurs in 309 OT verses. KJV: country, field, ground, land, soil, [idiom] wild. See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:38; Nehemiah 12:29.
תְּדוּשֶֽׁ/הָ
dûwsh
H1758
"to tread"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs | Suff
To tread or trample means to walk on something heavily, like threshing grain, and can also mean to overpower or dominate someone. This word is used in Jeremiah 50:11.
Definition: 1) to tread out, thresh 1a) (Qal) to tread on, trample on, thresh 1b) (Niphal) to be trampled down 1c) (Hophal) to be threshed
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: break, tear, thresh, tread out (down), at grass (Jeremiah 50:11, by mistake for H1877 (דֶּשֶׁא)). See also: Deuteronomy 25:4; Isaiah 28:27; Isaiah 25:10.
Study Notes — Job 39:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Job 39:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 39:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 39:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 39:15
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 39:15
- Cambridge Bible on Job 39:15
- Barnes' Notes on Job 39:15
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 39:15
Context — The LORD Speaks of His Creation
13The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but cannot match the pinions and feathers of the stork.
14For she leaves her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand.
15She forgets that a foot may crush them, or a wild animal may trample them.
16She treats her young harshly, as if not her own, with no concern that her labor was in vain. 17For God has deprived her of wisdom; He has not endowed her with understanding.Job 39:15 Summary
This verse, Job 39:15, is talking about how the ostrich forgets that her eggs are in danger of being crushed or trampled, which shows that she doesn't have the wisdom or understanding that God has given to other creatures. This is similar to what we see in Proverbs 30:2-3, where the writer acknowledges their own lack of knowledge and understanding. It's a reminder that God's creation is complex and varied, and that He is sovereign over all of it, as noted in Psalm 19:1-6. We can trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, even when things don't make sense to us, and remember that His ways are higher than our ways, as noted in Romans 11:33-36.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the ostrich forget about the dangers to her eggs?
According to Job 39:15, the ostrich forgets that a foot may crush her eggs, or a wild animal may trample them, illustrating her lack of wisdom and understanding, as noted in Job 39:17, where it says God has deprived her of wisdom and understanding, similar to what we see in Proverbs 30:2-3, where the writer acknowledges their own lack of knowledge and understanding.
Is the ostrich being irresponsible by leaving her eggs on the ground?
In Job 39:14-15, we see that the ostrich leaves her eggs on the ground and forgets about the dangers to them, which may seem irresponsible to us, but as Job 39:17 explains, this is due to her lack of wisdom, not a deliberate choice, and as Psalm 104:21-22 reminds us, God provides for and cares for all creatures, even those that may seem foolish to us.
What does this verse teach us about God's creation?
This verse, Job 39:15, teaches us that God's creation is complex and varied, with different creatures having different characteristics and abilities, as seen in Job 39:13-17, and as noted in Psalm 19:1-6, God's creation declares His glory and wisdom, even in the seemingly foolish or weak things, like the ostrich.
How does this verse relate to our trust in God's sovereignty?
Job 39:15 reminds us that God's sovereignty extends to all of creation, even the creatures that may seem foolish or weak to us, and as Romans 11:33-36 notes, God's ways are higher than our ways, and His wisdom is beyond our understanding, so we can trust in His sovereignty, even when things don't make sense to us.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be 'forgetting' about potential dangers or consequences, and how can I trust God to guide and protect me?
- How does the example of the ostrich challenge my assumptions about what it means to be 'wise' or 'responsible', and what can I learn from this about God's perspective on these things?
- In what ways am I like the ostrich, leaving things 'on the ground' and hoping for the best, and how can I apply the lessons of Job 39:15 to my own life and circumstances?
- What are some ways that God has provided for and cared for me, even when I may have felt 'foolish' or 'weak', and how can I trust in His goodness and sovereignty in the face of uncertainty?
Gill's Exposition on Job 39:15
And forgetteth that the foot may crush them,.... The foot of the traveller, they being laid in the ground, where he may walk, or on the sand of the seashore, where he may tread and trample upon them
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 39:15
And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 39:15
The feet, to wit, of wild beasts as it follows passing that way.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 39:15
Job 39:15 And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.Ver. 15. And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them] This brutish and blockish bird forgetteth, that is, she never considereth, what may befall her eggs, left so carelessly. Other fowl set their nests aloft and out of harm’ s way; not so this foolish and careless creature, who hath neither affection to preserve them nor fear to lose them.
Cambridge Bible on Job 39:15
15. may break them] lit. trample them.
Barnes' Notes on Job 39:15
And forgetteth that the foot may crush them - She lays her eggs in the sand, and not, as most birds do, in nests made on branches of trees, or on the crags of rocks, where they would be inaccessible,
Whedon's Commentary on Job 39:15
15. Forgetteth that the foot may crush them — “Several eggs lie out of the nest, and are thought to be intended as food for the first of the newly-hatched brood till the rest come out and enable the