Job 39:2
Job 39:2 in Multiple Translations
Can you count the months they are pregnant? Do you know the time they give birth?
Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? Or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
Is the number of their months fixed by you? or is the time when they give birth ordered by you?
Do you know how many months they carry their young? Do you know the time when they give birth?
When they couch in their places, and remaine in the couert to lye in waite?
Thou dost number the months they fulfil? And thou hast known the time of their bringing forth!
Can you count the months that they fulfill? Or do you know the time when they give birth?
Canst thou number the months that they fulfill? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
Hast thou numbered the months of their conceiving, or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
Do you know how many months pass from the time they become pregnant until their fawns are born?
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 39:2
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 39:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תִּסְפֹּ֣ר
יְרָחִ֣ים
תְּמַלֶּ֑אנָה
וְ֝/יָדַ֗עְתָּ
עֵ֣ת
לִדְתָּֽ/נָה
תִּסְפֹּ֣ר
çâphar
H5608
to recount
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
יְרָחִ֣ים
yerach
H3391
month
N-mp
תְּמַלֶּ֑אנָה
mâlêʼ
H4390
to fill
V-Piel-Imperf-3fp
וְ֝/יָדַ֗עְתָּ
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-2ms
עֵ֣ת
ʻêth
H6256
time
N-cs
לִדְתָּֽ/נָה
yâlad
H3205
to beget
V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 39:2
תִּסְפֹּ֣ר
çâphar
H5608
"to recount"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This word refers to a scribe or secretary who records or inscribes information. It is used in the Bible to describe someone who counts or enumerates things. The KJV translates it as 'scribe, tell, writer'.
Definition: v 1) to count, recount, relate 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to count (things) 1a2) to number, take account of, reckon 1b) (Niphal) to be counted, be numbered 1c) (Piel) to recount, rehearse, declare 1c1) to recount (something), rehearse 1c2) to talk 1c3) to count exactly or accurately 1d) (Pual) to be recounted, be rehearsed, be related
Usage: Occurs in 154 OT verses. KJV: commune, (ac-) count; declare, number, [phrase] penknife, reckon, scribe, shew forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer. See also: Genesis 15:5; Esther 8:9; Psalms 2:7.
יְרָחִ֣ים
yerach
H3391
"month"
N-mp
This word refers to a month or lunar cycle. It is also translated as moon in some contexts, and is used to describe a calendar month.
Definition: 1) month (lunar cycle), moon 1a) month 1b) calendar month Aramaic equivalent: ye.rach (יְרַח "month" H3393)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: month, moon. See also: Exodus 2:2; 2 Kings 15:13; Isaiah 60:20.
תְּמַלֶּ֑אנָה
mâlêʼ
H4390
"to fill"
V-Piel-Imperf-3fp
To fill means to make something full or complete, like filling a container or fulfilling a promise. This word is used in many contexts, including being full of joy or having a job completed.
Definition: 1) to fill, be full 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be full 1a1a) fulness, abundance (participle) 1a1b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended 1a2) to consecrate, fill the hand 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied 1b2) to be accomplished, be ended 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to fill 1c2) to satisfy 1c3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete 1c4) to confirm 1d) (Pual) to be filled 1e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against Aramaic equivalent: me.la (מְלָא "to fill" H4391)
Usage: Occurs in 242 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, [idiom] draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, [phrase] have wholly. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 16:14; Psalms 10:7.
וְ֝/יָדַ֗עְתָּ
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-2ms
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
עֵ֣ת
ʻêth
H6256
"time"
N-cs
Eth means time, especially now or when, and can refer to an event, experience, or occasion. It is often used to describe a specific moment or period.
Definition: 1) time 1a) time (of an event) 1b) time (usual) 1c) experiences, fortunes 1d) occurrence, occasion
Usage: Occurs in 258 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after, (al-) ways, [idiom] certain, [phrase] continually, [phrase] evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-, noon-) tide, (meal-), what) time, when. See also: Genesis 8:11; 2 Chronicles 35:17; Psalms 1:3.
לִדְתָּֽ/נָה
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
Study Notes — Job 39:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The LORD Speaks of His Creation
1“Do you know when mountain goats give birth? Have you watched the doe bear her fawn?
2Can you count the months they are pregnant? Do you know the time they give birth?
3They crouch down and bring forth their young; they deliver their newborn. 4Their young ones thrive and grow up in the open field; they leave and do not return.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 2:24 | a wild donkey at home in the wilderness, sniffing the wind in the heat of her desire. Who can restrain her passion? All who seek her need not weary themselves; in mating season they will find her. |
Job 39:2 Summary
This verse, Job 39:2, asks if we can understand or control the birth of mountain goats, emphasizing our limited knowledge compared to God's wisdom. It reminds us that God is in control of all creation, from the smallest to the largest, as seen in Psalm 104:27-28. We can trust in His goodness and sovereignty, even when we don't understand, just like Job came to realize (Job 42:3). By acknowledging our limitations and trusting in God's wisdom, we can find peace and comfort in His love and care for us, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of God asking Job about the pregnancy of mountain goats?
God is highlighting Job's limited knowledge and understanding of the natural world, as seen in Job 39:2, to contrast with His own infinite wisdom and power, as stated in Jeremiah 32:17 and Psalm 147:5.
Is this verse only about mountain goats or is there a deeper meaning?
While the verse is literally about mountain goats, it also symbolizes God's care and provision for all creation, as seen in Matthew 6:26 and Psalm 104:27-28, which highlights His sovereignty and goodness.
How does this verse relate to Job's situation and suffering?
This verse is part of God's response to Job's complaints, emphasizing that God's ways are not our ways, and His understanding is far greater than ours, as stated in Isaiah 55:8-9 and Romans 11:33-34, which helps Job and us to trust in His goodness despite circumstances.
What does this verse teach us about God's relationship with His creation?
This verse shows that God is intimately involved with His creation, from the smallest details to the largest, as seen in Colossians 1:16-17 and Psalm 103:22, demonstrating His love, care, and wisdom in all aspects of life.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I struggle to trust God's sovereignty and goodness, and how can I apply the lesson from Job 39:2 to those situations?
- In what ways can I, like Job, come to understand and acknowledge the limitations of my knowledge and understanding, and instead, rely on God's infinite wisdom?
- How can I reflect on God's care and provision for creation, as seen in this verse, to deepen my trust and appreciation for His love and goodness in my own life?
- What are some practical ways I can apply the principle of trusting in God's sovereignty, as highlighted in this verse, to my daily life and decisions?
Gill's Exposition on Job 39:2
Canst thou number the months [that] they fulfil?.... Which some understand both of wild goats and hinds.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 39:2
Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth? They bring forth with ease, and do not need to reckon the months of pregnancy, as the shepherd does in the case of his flocks.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 39:2
Dost thou exactly know when they did conceive, and when they will bring forth? which is more uncertain in these than in other creatures, because there fall out many accidents which cause them to bring forth before their time, as thunder, , and other like causes of sudden fear, which may be many and various in those desert places where they live.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 39:2
Job 39:2 Canst thou number the months [that] they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?Ver. 2. Canst thou number the months they fulfil?] Eight months, Aristotle saith (the elephant is said to go above eight years), but who can tell the instant when, or why not sooner or later? Dost thou exactly observe and count those months, as I do, to a moment? Sola hic Deo providentia elucet.
Cambridge Bible on Job 39:2
2. canst thou number] Rather, dost thou. The “months that they fulfil” is the time they go with young. The words “knowest thou”, “dost thou mark”, and the like, though no doubt referring partly to man’s ignorance of the habits of these remote and timid creatures, carry also the question, Is it Job who presides over and determines all connected with the life and habits of these solitary creatures?
Barnes' Notes on Job 39:2
Canst thou number the months ... - That is, as they wander in the wilderness, as they live in inaccessible crags and cliffs of the rocks, it is impossible for man to be acquainted with their habits