Job 39:18 — Word Study
WLCכָּ֭עֵת בַּמָּר֣וֹם תַּמְרִ֑יא תִּֽשְׂחַ֥ק לַ֝סּ֗וּס וּלְרֹֽכְבֽוֹ׃
BSAYet whenʻêth she proudlymârôwm [with confidence] spreads her wingsmârâʼ▸ [on high, to a great height] she laughssâchaq▸ [scornfully, in contempt, to laugh, often in derision] at the horseçûwç [swallow, a type of bird or a chariot horse] and its riderrâkab [the one who sits upon, to ride an animal]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| כָּ֭עֵת | about the time | Preposition, noun common both singular absolute |
| בַּמָּר֣וֹם | on the height | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| תַּמְרִ֑יא | it flaps | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person feminine singular |
| תִּֽשְׂחַ֥ק | it laughs | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person feminine singular |
| לַ֝סּ֗וּס | to the horse | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וּלְרֹֽכְבֽוֹ׃ | and to rider its | Conjunction, preposition, verb qal participle (active) masculine singular common |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Yet when she proudly spreads her wings, she laughs at the horse and its rider. |
| KJV | What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider. |
| ASV | What time she lifteth up herself on high, She scorneth the horse and his rider. |
| YLT | At the time on high she lifteth herself up, She laugheth at the horse and at his rider. |
| WEB | When she lifts up herself on high, she scorns the horse and his rider. |
| BBE | When she is shaking her wings on high, she makes sport of the horse and of him who is seated on him. |
Where they part company is תַּמְרִ֑יא — see How Translations Differ.
One main verb with two subordinate clauses describing the action and the target of that action.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbמָרָא
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 39:18
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Behavior of the Ostrichgenerated
Job 39:18 describes the ostrich, a bird known for its speed and unique behavior. In this verse, Job highlights the contrast between the ostrich's pride and the strength of the horse and its rider, emphasizing the bird's scornful nature. This section of Job reflects on the various creatures God has made, showcasing their distinct characteristics and roles in the natural world, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 39:7–22 | He scorns the tumult of the city and never hears the shouts of a driver. |
| 2 | Job 5:22 | You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the beasts of the earth. |
| 3 | Job 41:29 | A club is regarded as straw, and he laughs at the sound of the lance. |
| 4 | 2 Kings 19:21 | This is the word that the LORD has spoken against him: ‘The Virgin Daughter of Zion despises you and mocks you; the Daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head behind you. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תַּמְרִ֑יא, tam.Ri'generated
The verb תַּמְרִ֑יא (tamri') is a Hiphil imperfect form, meaning 'it flaps' or 'it spreads.' This word is specifically used in the context of the ostrich flapping its wings, conveying a sense of pride and defiance. The Hiphil stem indicates a causative action, suggesting that the ostrich is not merely flapping but doing so with intention and confidence.
The action described here is not just physical; it carries a connotation of rebellion or disdain, as the ostrich laughs at the horse and its rider. This highlights the ostrich's unique position in the animal kingdom, where it feels no fear or respect for the powerful.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb תַּמְרִ֑יא (tamri') governs the sentence, describing the action of the ostrich. The structure includes additional phrases that provide context: a prepositional phrase indicating the height at which it spreads its wings, and another clause that describes the reaction of the ostrich towards the horse and its rider.
The word order emphasizes the action of the ostrich first, followed by the scornful reaction towards the horse and rider, illustrating a clear contrast between the two.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תַּמְרִ֑יא as ὑψώσει (hypsōsei), meaning 'it will raise up.' This choice suggests a focus on the action of lifting or elevating, which aligns with the idea of the ostrich's proud display.
This translation captures the essence of the original Hebrew while also broadening the interpretation to include the notion of elevation, reflecting the bird's confidence.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 39:18 describes how the ostrich, when it confidently spreads its wings, mocks the horse and its rider. This illustrates the bird's pride and lack of fear, contrasting with the strength of the horse.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The ostrich symbolizes pride and scorn, showing how it feels superior to the horse and its rider.
Job uses the ostrich to illustrate the unique characteristics of God's creations, highlighting their differences and roles.
The action of flapping wings implies confidence and a lack of fear, as the ostrich displays its strength.
This verse fits into a larger discussion about various animals and their behaviors, emphasizing the diversity of God's creation.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What characteristics of the ostrich stand out to you, and how do they reflect God's creativity?
- In what ways do you see pride manifesting in your own life or in those around you?
- How can understanding the behavior of animals like the ostrich inform our view of human nature?
- What lessons can we learn from the contrast between the ostrich and the horse?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early church fathers have commented on this verse, interpreting the behavior of the ostrich as a metaphor for pride and hypocrisy.
When the time shall be, she raiseth her wings on high, she scorneth the horseman and his rider. 27. For what do we understand by the wings of this ostrich, except the thoughts of the hypocrite,Early Church Fathers on Job 39 →
When the time shall come, she raiseth her wings on high, she scorneth the horseman, and his rider. [MYSTICAL INTERPRETATION] 42.Early Church Fathers on Job 39 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 39:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWhat time she lifted up herself on high,.... It is sometimes eight foot high (l); when alarmed with approaching danger she raises up herself, being sitting on the ground, and erects her wings for
Read John Gill on Job 39 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWhat time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider. Not withstanding her deficiences, she has distinguishing, excellences. Lifteth ... herself - for running: she cannot mount in the air.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 39 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleShe lifteth up herself on high, to flee from her pursuer; to which end she lifteth up her head and body, and spreads her wings. She scorneth the horse and his rider she despiseth them in regard of her greater swiftness; for though she cannot fly because of her great bulk, being said to be as big as a new-born camel, yet by the aid of her wings she runs so fast that horsemen cannot reach her, as both Greek and other authors have noted.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 39 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 39:18 What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.Ver. 18. What time she lifteth up herself on high, &c.] That is, when she runneth away from the hunter (which she doth with singular swiftness), she lifteth up herself on high, not from the earth, as other birds (for that she cannot do), but on the earth, with wings stretched out like sails, and her whole body bolt upright, scarce touching the earth at all with her feet, but quickening her own pace with sharp spurs, which they say she hath in the pinion of each wing, so pricking herself on, that she may run the faster; to teach us what we should do in the race of religion, and when pursued by Satan, how…
Read John Trapp on Job 39 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(18) She lifteth up herself.—That is, either from the nest when she comes to maturity, or when she sets out to run. The ostrich has a habit of running in a curve, which alone enables horsemen to overtake and kill or capture her. As in Job 39:13 a comparison seems to be drawn between the ostrich and the stork, so here, probably, the subject spoken of is the stork. Swift and powerful as the ostrich is, yet no sooner does the stork, on the contrary, rise on high into the air than she—as, indeed, any bird—can baffle the pursuit of horsemen.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 39 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 18. She lifteth up herself] When she raiseth up herself to run away. Proofs of the fleetness of this bird have already been given. It neither flies nor runs distinctly, but has a motion composed of both; and, using its wings as sails, makes great speed. So Claudian: - Vasta velut Libyae venantum vocibus ales Cum premitur, calidas cursu transmittit arenas, Inque modum veli sinuatis flamine pennis Pulverulenta volat. "Xenophon says, Cyrus had horses that could overtake the goat and the wild ass; but none that could reach this creature. A thousand golden ducats, or a hundred camels, was the stated price of a horse that could equal their speed." - Dr. YOUNG.
Read AdamClarke on Job 39 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges18. lifteth up herself on high] That is, in flight. The flying of the ostrich is properly a very swift running, in which she is helped by her outspread wings and tail. “Its speed has been calculated at twenty-six miles an hour by Dr Livingstone, and yet the South African ostrich is smaller than the northern species; and I have myself, in the Sahara, measured its stride, when bounding at full speed, from twenty-two to twenty-eight feet” (Tristram, p. 237). The cruel disposition of the ostrich and her foolishness have been implanted in her by God, yet in strange contradiction to these qualities are others which He has bestowed on her, such as her swiftness when pursued, which enables her to…
Read Cambridge on Job 39 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleWhat time she lifteth up herself on high - In the previous verses reference had been made to the fact that in some important respects the ostrich was inferior to other animals, or had special laws in
Read Albert Barnes on Job 39 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Yet when she proudly spreads her wings, she laughs at the horse and its rider.
When she lifts up herself on high, she scorns the horse and his rider.
Yet when she proudly spreads her wings, she laughs at the horse and its rider.
But as soon as she springs up, she laughs at the horse and its rider.
Tyndale line
What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
What time she lifteth up herself on high, She scorneth the horse and his rider.
What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
When she lifteth herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
And forgetteth that the foote might scatter the, or that the wild beast might breake the.
Strictly literal
What time she lasheth herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
At the time on high she lifteth herself up, She laugheth at the horse and at his rider.
At the time she lifts herself up on high, || She laughs at the horse and his rider.
At the time she raiseth herself up on high, she laugheth at the horse and his rider.
When she runs swiftly, she laughs in scorn at the horse and its rider.
From the Latin
When time shall be, she setteth up her wings on high: she scorneth the horse and his rider.
Simplified
But when she needs to, she can jump up and run, mocking a horse and its rider with her speed.
When she is shaking her wings on high, she makes sport of the horse and of him who is seated on him.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in their wording for Job 39:18, with all six words matched. This indicates a consistent understanding of the verse across these texts.
כָּ֭עֵת בַּמָּר֣וֹם תַּמְרִ֑יא תִּֽשְׂחַ֥ק לַ֝סּ֗וּס וּלְרֹֽכְבֽוֹ׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 39:18
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
עֵת (eth) means 'time,' covering various aspects such as the time of an event, a usual time, or an appointed time. It can also refer to experiences or occurrences. The entries suggest it can denote both specific and uncertain times, but they do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
עֵת 297 n.f. time
time of an event
= usual time
proper, suitable time
appointed time
as uncertain
= experience, fortunes
occurrence, occasion
base
H6256 עֵת time . time of an event
. . = usual time
. proper, suitable time
. appointed time
. as uncertain
. = experience, fortunes
. occurrence, occasion
6256 `eth ayth
from 5703; time, especially (adverb with preposition) now,
when, etc.:--+ after, (al-)ways, X certain, + continually, +
evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-,
noon-)tide, ((meal-)), what) time, when.
see HEBREW for 05703
עֵת (et) — time.
1) time
1a) time (of an event)
1b) time (usual)
1c) experiences, fortunes
1d) occurrence, occasion
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common both singular absoluteHRd/Ncbsa
tim: The basis of the Hebrew measurement of time was the day and the lunar month, as with the Semites generally. The division of the day into hours was late, probably not common until after the exile, although the sun-dial of Ahaz (2Ki 20:9; Isa 38:8) would scent to indicate some division of the day into periods of some sort, as we know the night was divided, The word used for "hour" is Aramaic she`a' (sha`ta'), and does not occur in the Old Testament until the Book of Daniel (4:33; 5:5), and even there it stands for an indefinite period for which "time" would answer as well.
1. The Day:
The term "day" (yom) was in use from the earliest times, as is indicated in the story of the Creation (Ge 1). It there doubtless denotes an indefinite period, but is marked off by "evening and…
Besides the ordinary uses of this word, the Bible sometimes employs it to denote a year, as in Da 4:16; or a prophetic year, consisting of three hundred and sixty natural year, a day being taken for a year. Thus in Da 7:25 12:7, the phrase "a time, times, and the dividing of a time" is supposed to mean three and a half prophetic years, or 1,260 natural years. This period is elsewhere paralleled by the expression, "forty-two months," each month including thirty years, Re 11:2-3 12:6,14 13:5.
מָרוֹם (marowm) means 'height' and encompasses both concrete and abstract uses, referring to elevated places, elevation, and even pride. It can describe physical heights or be used figuratively for dignity and nobility. The word is poetically used in the Old Testament, with its root linked to the concept of altitude.
מָרוֹם n.m. height (poet.)
height, elevation (concr.), elevated place
alone = height of heaven
adv. fig., = proudly
fig. of nobles
base
H4791 מָרוֹם height (poet.)
4791 marowm maw-rome'
from 7311; altitude, i.e. concretely (an elevated place),
abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially
(aloft):--(far) above, dignity, haughty, height, (most, on)
high (one, place), loftily, upward.
see HEBREW for 07311
מָרוֹם (ma.rom) — height.
1) height
1a) height, elevation, elevated place
1a1) in a high place (adv)
1b) height
1c) proudly (adv)
1d) of nobles (fig.)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
מָרָא (mara') is a primitive root meaning to rebel, but it also conveys the idea of maltreatment, such as whipping or flapping. The entries suggest it can mean to flap wings or be filthy, with some uncertainty in its precise meanings. Notably, it appears in Job 39:18.
[מָרָא] vb. only Hiph.: mng. dub., perh. beat the air, or flap the wings;—Jb 39:18
ref
H4754 מָרָא
4754 mara' maw-raw'
a primitive root; to rebel; hence (through the idea of
maltreating) to whip, i.e. lash (self with wings, as the
ostrich in running):--be filthy, lift up self.
מָרָא (ma.ra) — to flap.
1) (Hiphil) to beat (the air), flap (the wings)
1a) meaning uncertain
2) (Qal) filthy
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person feminine singularHVhi3fs
שָׂחַק (sachaq) is a Hebrew verb meaning to laugh, with connotations of playfulness and mockery. It can express laughter in pleasure or derision, as well as the act of playing or making sport. The entries indicate various forms, such as Qal for general laughter, Piel for making sport, and Hiphil for mockery.
שָׂחַק vb. laugh
Qal
laugh at
appar. of friendly laugh
sport, play
Pi.
make sport
jest
play
Hiph. (declar.) they uttered mockery
base
H7832 שָׂחַק laugh
7832 sachaq saw-khak'
a primitive root; to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by
implication, to play:--deride, have in derision, laugh, make
merry, mock(-er), play, rejoice, (laugh to) scorn, be in
(make) sport.
שָׂחַק (sa.chaq) — to laugh.
1) to laugh, play, mock
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to laugh (usually in contempt or derision)
1a2) to sport, play
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to make sport
1b2) to jest
1b3) to play (including instrumental music, singing, dancing)
1c) (Hiphil) to laugh mockingly
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singularHVqi3fs
סוּס (sus) refers to both a 'swallow' and a 'horse,' derived from a root meaning to skip or leap. The word captures the swift nature of both the bird and the animal, often associated with chariot horses in the context of the Old Testament. There is a note in the entries about a comparison with another Hebrew word, but no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
סוּס n.[m.] swallow or swift
base
סוּס 138 n.m. horse
base
H5483a סוּס swallow or swift H5483b סוּס horse
5483 cuwc soos
or cuc {soos}; from an unused root meaning to skip (properly,
for joy); a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid
flight):--crane, horse((-back, -hoof)). Compare 6571.
see HEBREW for 06571
סוּס (sus) — swallow.
swallow, swift
סוּס (sus) — Horse (Gate).
This name means horse
סוּס (sus) — horse.
1) horse
1a) chariot horses
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
hors:
1. Names:
The common names are (1) cuc, and
(2) hippos.
(3) The word parash, "horseman," occurs often, and in several cases is translated "horse" or "warhorse" (Isa 28:28; Eze 27:14; Joe 2:4 the Revised Version, margin); also in 2Sa 16, where the "horsemen" of English Versions of the Bible is ba`ale ha-parashim, "owners of horses"; compare Arabic faris, "horseman," and faras, "horse".
(4) The feminine form cucah, occurs in So 1:9, and is rendered as follows: Septuagint he hippos; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) equitatum; the King James Version "company of horses," the Revised Version (British and American) "steed." It is not clear why English Versions of the…
Horse
Always referred to in the Bible in connection with warlike operations, except Isa. 28:28. The war-horse is described Job 39:19-25. For a long period after their settlement in Canaan the Israelites made no use of horses, according to the prohibition, Deut. 17:16. David was the first to form a force of cavalry (2 Sam. 8:4). But Solomon, from his connection with Egypt, greatly multiplied their number (1 Kings 4:26; 10:26, 29). After this, horses were freely used in Israel (1 Kings 22:4; 2 Kings 3:7; 9:21, 33…
The most striking feature in the biblical notices of the horse is the exclusive application of it to warlike operations; in no instance is that useful animal employed for the purposes of ordinary locomotion or agriculture, if we except (Isaiah 28:28) The animated description of the horse in (Job 39:19-25) applies solely to the war-horse. The Hebrews in the patriarchal age, as a pastoral race, did not stand in need of the services Of the horse, and for a long period after their settlement in Canaan they dispensed with it, partly in consequence of the hilly nature of the country, which only admitted of the use of chariots in certain localities, (Judges 1:19) and partly in consequence to the prohibition in (17:16) which would be held to apply at all periods. David first established…
רָכַב (rakab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to ride, mount, or sit upon something, typically an animal or vehicle. It can also imply causing someone or something to ride or draw, as in plowing. The entries highlight its use in various forms, including a participle for 'rider' and figurative expressions.
רָכַב vb. mount and ride, ride
Qal
mount, mount and sit or ride
ride, be riding
pt., as subst., rider
Hiph.
cause to (mount and) ride
cause to draw (plough, etc.)
fig. cause hand to ride upon (grasp) bow
base
H7392 רָכַב mount and ride, ride .. mount, mount and sit or ride
. ride, be riding
. pt., as subst., rider
. . cause to (mount and) ride
. cause to draw (plough, etc.)
. fig. cause hand to ride upon (grasp) bow
7392 rakab raw-kab'
a primitive root; to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle);
causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to
despatch:--bring (on (horse-)back), carry, get (oneself) up,
on (horse-)back, put, (cause to, make to) ride (in a chariot,
on, -r), set.
רָכַב (ra.khav) — to ride.
1) to mount and ride, ride
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to mount, mount and sit or ride
1a2) to ride, be riding
1a3) rider (subst)
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to ride, cause to (mount and) ride
1b2) to cause to draw (plough, etc)
1b3) to cause to ride upon (fig)
Conj | Prep | V-Qal | Suff — Conjunction · preposition · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular common · suffixHC/R/Vqrmsc/Sp3ms