Job 39:14
Job 39:14 in Multiple Translations
For she leaves her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand.
Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,
For she leaveth her eggs on the earth, And warmeth them in the dust,
That she puts her eggs on the earth, warming them in the dust,
The ostrich abandons her eggs on the ground, leaving them to be warmed in the dust.
Wilt thou trust in him, because his strength is great, and cast off thy labour vnto him?
For she leaveth on the earth her eggs, And on the dust she doth warm them,
For she leaves her eggs on the earth, warms them in the dust,
Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in the dust,
When she leaveth her eggs on the earth, thou perhaps wilt warm them in the dust.
Ostriches lay their eggs on top of the ground and then walk away, leaving the eggs to be warmed in the sand.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 39:14
BAB
Word Study
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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 39:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּֽי
תַעֲזֹ֣ב
לָ/אָ֣רֶץ
בֵּצֶ֑י/הָ
וְֽ/עַל
עָפָ֥ר
תְּחַמֵּֽם
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
תַעֲזֹ֣ב
ʻâzab
H5800
Forsaken
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
לָ/אָ֣רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Prep | N-cs
בֵּצֶ֑י/הָ
bêytsâh
H1000
egg
N-fp | Suff
וְֽ/עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Conj | Prep
עָפָ֥ר
ʻâphâr
H6083
dust
N-ms
תְּחַמֵּֽם
châmam
H2552
to warm
V-Piel-Imperf-3fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 39:14
כִּֽי
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.
תַעֲזֹ֣ב
ʻâzab
H5800
"Forsaken"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
Forsaken means to loosen or relinquish something, often implying abandonment. In the Bible, the word appears in Psalm 22:1, where David cries out to God, saying my God, why have you forsaken me. The term signifies a sense of desperation and isolation.
Definition: This name means to restore, repair Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 206 OT verses. KJV: commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:24; Nehemiah 5:10; Psalms 9:11.
לָ/אָ֣רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Prep | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
בֵּצֶ֑י/הָ
bêytsâh
H1000
"egg"
N-fp | Suff
This Hebrew word means egg and is only mentioned in Isaiah 10:14, where it describes the spoils of war. The word is derived from the egg's white color.
Definition: egg
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: egg. See also: Deuteronomy 22:6; Isaiah 10:14; Isaiah 59:5.
וְֽ/עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
עָפָ֥ר
ʻâphâr
H6083
"dust"
N-ms
Aphar means dust or dry earth, and is also used to describe clay, earth, or mortar. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish 1a) dry or loose earth 1b) debris 1c) mortar 1d) ore
Usage: Occurs in 103 OT verses. KJV: ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish. See also: Genesis 2:7; Job 28:6; Psalms 7:6.
תְּחַמֵּֽם
châmam
H2552
"to warm"
V-Piel-Imperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to warm or heat something, like in Genesis 18:4, where Abraham offers warm water to wash feet. It can also describe strong emotions, like passion or desire.
Definition: 1) to be hot, become warm 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be or grow warm 1a2) of passion (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to become aroused, inflame oneself with 1c) (Piel) to warm 1d) (Hithpael) to warm oneself
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: enflame self, get (have) heat, be (wax) hot, (be, wax) warm (self, at). See also: Exodus 16:21; Ecclesiastes 4:11; Psalms 39:4.
Study Notes — Job 39:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Job 39:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 39:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 39:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 39:14
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 39:14
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 39:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 39:14
- Cambridge Bible on Job 39:14
- Barnes' Notes on Job 39:14
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 39:14
Context — The LORD Speaks of His Creation
12Can you trust him to bring in your grain and gather it to your threshing floor?
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.Job 39:14 Summary
[The ostrich leaves her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand, which might seem like a strange way to care for her young, but it's actually a remarkable example of how God has designed each creature to thrive in its own unique way, as seen in Psalm 104:10-14. This reminds us that God is a loving and creative God who provides for all of His creation. We can trust God to provide for us, just like the ostrich trusts the sand to warm her eggs, as Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:26. By studying the ostrich and her remarkable ways, we can gain a deeper appreciation for God's wisdom and love.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the ostrich leave her eggs on the ground in Job 39:14?
The ostrich leaves her eggs on the ground because she relies on the warmth of the sand to incubate them, as seen in Job 39:14, similar to how God provides for His creation in Psalm 104:10-14.
Is the ostrich a good parent according to Job 39:14-16?
According to Job 39:14-16, the ostrich does not seem to be a very attentive parent, leaving her eggs on the ground and treating her young harshly, which is in contrast to the loving care of God for His children, as seen in Psalm 103:13.
What does Job 39:14 teach us about God's creation?
Job 39:14 teaches us that God's creation is full of wonder and complexity, with each creature having its unique characteristics and ways of surviving, as also seen in Romans 1:20, where we learn about God's invisible attributes through His creation.
How does Job 39:14 relate to our trust in God?
Job 39:14 reminds us that just as the ostrich trusts the sand to warm her eggs, we can trust God to provide for our needs, as seen in Matthew 6:26, where Jesus teaches us to trust God for our daily provision.
Reflection Questions
- What can we learn from the ostrich's unique way of incubating her eggs, and how can we apply this to our own lives?
- How does the ostrich's behavior in Job 39:14-16 reflect the fallen nature of creation, and what hope do we have in Christ?
- In what ways can we, like the ostrich, be unaware of the dangers that surround us, and how can we trust God for protection?
- What does the ostrich's lack of concern for her young teach us about the importance of caring for one another, as seen in Galatians 6:2?
Gill's Exposition on Job 39:14
Which leaveth her eggs in the earth,.... Lays them and leaves them there.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 39:14
Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust, Nay (unlike the stork) she leaveth etc. Hence, called by the Arabs the impious bird.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 39:14
Which, i.e. which ostrich; whose property this is noted to be by naturalists. Or, but; for this unnatural quality is opposed to the goodliness of her wings or feathers. In the earth; in the place where she lays them; where she leaves them, either, 1. From care, lest she should crush and break them, if her vast body should sit upon them; or rather, 2. From forgetfulness, or carelessness, or unnaturalness, or folly; to which it is manifestly ascribed in the following verses. Warmeth them in the dust; either, 1. Covering them with sand, that they may be warmed and hatched by that, together with the heat of the sun. But this is judged a fabulous report; for the Arabians, amongst whom this bird is most frequent and best known, affirm that such eggs do quickly perish and putrefy. Or rather, 2. Exposing them to the heat of the sun, which being excessive in those hot countries, doth and must needs quickly destroy or spoil them.
And the ostrich is said to warm them, because her leaving them there is not only the occasion, but im some sort the cause, of the sun’ s warming them.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 39:14
Job 39:14 Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,Ver. 14. Which leaveth her eggs in the earth] Some say that she layeth 80 eggs, and having a faculty of discerning which of them will prove ostriches, and which will come to nothing; she leaveth some of them upon the sand, and upon other some sitteth and hatcheth them. But this appeareth to be a fiction, because another and a better reason of her leaving her eggs is here alleged; and the power and providence of God giving them life by the heat of the sun, evidenced and evinced. And warmeth them in the dust] Julius Scaliger reporteth the like of a certain crested bird of the size of a hen, found in Catigan, an island in the sea Sur; which sitteth not upon her eggs, but burieth them two feet deep in the sand; whence they are hatched by the sun and hot sands; and this, say some, in very hot countries is not unusual.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 39:14
(14) Which leaveth her eggs.—The ostrich only sits upon her eggs at night, when the cold would chill and destroy them; by day the heat of the sand continues the process of hatching.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 39:14
Verse 14. Which leaveth her eggs in the earth] This want of parental affection in the ostrich is almost universally acknowledged. Mr. Jackson, in his Account of Morocco, observes: "The ostrich, having laid her eggs, goes away, forgetting or forsaking them: and if some other ostrich discover them, she hatches them as if they were her own, forgetting probably whether they are or are not; so deficient is the recollection of this bird." This illustrates Job 39:15: "And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them." The poet seems well acquainted with every part of the subject on which he writes; and facts incontestable confirm all he says. For farther illustration, see the account from Dr. Shaw at the end of the chapter. See Clarke on Job 39:30.
Cambridge Bible on Job 39:14
13–18. The ostrich.
Barnes' Notes on Job 39:14
Which leaveth her eggs in the earth - That is, she does not build a nest, as most birds do, but deposits her eggs in the sand. The ostrich, Dr. Shaw remarks, lays usually from thirty to fifty eggs.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 39:14
14. Which — ë, nay: used in the sense of the Latin immo, as in Job 22:2. For instances of similar cases, see Noldius, Concord. Partic., 369, 370.