Job 39:20
Job 39:20 in Multiple Translations
Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting?
Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
Hast thou made him to leap as a locust? The glory of his snorting is terrible.
Is it through you that he is shaking like a locust, in the pride of his loud-sounding breath?
Did you make it able to jump like a locust? Its loud snorting is terrifying!
For God had depriued him of wisedom, and hath giuen him no part of vnderstanding.
Dost thou cause him to rush as a locust? The majesty of his snorting [is] terrible.
Have you made him to leap as a locust? The glory of his snorting is awesome.
Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
Wilt thou lift him up like the locusts? the glory of his nostrils is terror.
Are you the one who enabled them to leap forward like locusts? When they ◄snort/blow loudly through their noses►, they cause people to be afraid.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 39:20
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 39:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הְֽ֭/תַרְעִישֶׁ/נּוּ
כָּ/אַרְבֶּ֑ה
ה֖וֹד
נַחְר֣/וֹ
אֵימָֽה
הְֽ֭/תַרְעִישֶׁ/נּוּ
râʻash
H7493
to shake
Part | V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms | Suff
כָּ/אַרְבֶּ֑ה
ʼarbeh
H697
locust
Prep | N-ms
ה֖וֹד
hôwd
H1935
splendor
N-ms
נַחְר֣/וֹ
nachar
H5170
snorting
N-ms | Suff
אֵימָֽה
ʼêymâh
H367
terror
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 39:20
הְֽ֭/תַרְעִישֶׁ/נּוּ
râʻash
H7493
"to shake"
Part | V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means to shake or quake, often describing the earth or sky trembling with fear. It's used in the books of Psalms and Isaiah, describing God's power and majesty.
Definition: 1) to quake, shake 1a) (Qal) to quake, shake 1b) (Niphal) to be made to quake 1c)(Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to quake 1c2) to cause to spring or leap (of horse)
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: make afraid, (re-) move, quake, (make to) shake, (make to) tremble. See also: Judges 5:4; Jeremiah 49:21; Psalms 18:8.
כָּ/אַרְבֶּ֑ה
ʼarbeh
H697
"locust"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for locust, which rapidly multiplies, is also used figuratively to describe sudden disappearance or insignificance, as seen in the Bible.
Definition: 1) a kind of locust, locust swarm (coll) 2) (CLBL) 2a) sudden disappearance (fig.) 2b) insignificance (fig.) 2c) activity (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: grasshopper, locust. See also: Exodus 10:4; 2 Chronicles 6:28; Psalms 78:46.
ה֖וֹד
hôwd
H1935
"splendor"
N-ms
This word describes something as glorious or majestic, like God's splendor in Psalm 138:5. It's about an impressive appearance or grandeur.
Definition: splendour, majesty, vigour
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honour, majesty. See also: Numbers 27:20; Psalms 111:3; Psalms 8:2.
נַחְר֣/וֹ
nachar
H5170
"snorting"
N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word describes the sound of snorting, often associated with horses or other animals. It is used in the Bible to describe the sound of angry or excited animals, and is sometimes translated as 'nostrils' or 'snorting'.
Definition: snorting Also means: na.cha.rah (נַחֲרָה "snorting" H5170B)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: nostrils, snorting. See also: Job 39:20; Jeremiah 8:16.
אֵימָֽה
ʼêymâh
H367
"terror"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for terror or dread, used to describe fear or horror, and sometimes an idol that inspires fear. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of awe or fright. This word is used in various contexts, including descriptions of God's power.
Definition: terror, dread
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: dread, fear, horror, idol, terrible, terror. See also: Genesis 15:12; Job 20:25; Psalms 55:5.
Study Notes — Job 39:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 39:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 39:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 39:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 39:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 39:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 39:20
- Cambridge Bible on Job 39:20
- Barnes' Notes on Job 39:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 39:20
Context — The LORD Speaks of His Creation
18Yet when she proudly spreads her wings, she laughs at the horse and its rider.
19Do you give strength to the horse or adorn his neck with a mane?
20Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting?
21He paws in the valley and rejoices in his strength; he charges into battle. 22He laughs at fear, frightened of nothing; he does not turn back from the sword.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 8:16 | The snorting of enemy horses is heard from Dan. At the sound of the neighing of mighty steeds, the whole land quakes. They come to devour the land and everything in it, the city and all who dwell in it. |
| 2 | Job 41:20–21 | Smoke billows from his nostrils as from a boiling pot over burning reeds. His breath sets coals ablaze, and flames pour from his mouth. |
| 3 | Joel 2:5 | With a sound like that of chariots they bound over the mountaintops, like the crackling of fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army deployed for battle. |
Job 39:20 Summary
This verse, Job 39:20, is describing the amazing strength and power of a horse, comparing it to a locust that can jump very far. The horse is so strong and confident that it can strike fear into others, much like the way God's power is described in Jeremiah 10:6-7. The idea is that God created the horse and gave it its strength, just like he gives us our own abilities and talents (as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11). By recognizing God's power and creation, we can have a deeper appreciation for his majesty and glory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the comparison between the horse and a locust in Job 39:20?
The comparison highlights the incredible power and strength of the horse, much like the locust's ability to leap great distances, as seen in Revelation 9:3-10 where locusts are described as having a powerful impact. This emphasizes God's creation and the horse's unique abilities.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Job 39?
This verse is part of a larger description of the horse's strength and majesty, showcasing God's creation and power, as seen in Job 39:19 where the horse's strength is also highlighted. It emphasizes the idea that God is the creator and sustainer of all things, including the powerful horse.
What does the phrase 'proud snorting' indicate about the horse's behavior?
The phrase 'proud snorting' suggests that the horse is confident and unafraid, much like the description of the horse in Job 39:21-22 where it is said to 'laugh at fear, frightened of nothing'. This confidence is a testament to the horse's strength and God's creation.
How can we apply the idea of God's creation and power in this verse to our everyday lives?
We can apply this idea by recognizing God's sovereignty and power in all aspects of creation, as seen in Psalm 19:1-6 where the heavens declare God's glory. This can lead to a deeper appreciation and reverence for God's majesty and power.
Reflection Questions
- What does the image of the horse leaping like a locust evoke in my heart and mind, and how can I apply this to my own life?
- How does the description of the horse's proud snorting challenge or encourage me in my own walk with God?
- In what ways can I see God's power and creation in the world around me, and how can I respond to this in worship and praise?
- What does this verse teach me about God's character and his relationship to his creation, and how can I apply this to my own relationship with God?
Gill's Exposition on Job 39:20
Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper?.... Which is frightened at every noise, and at any approach of men; but not so the horse; or canst thou move him, or cause him to skip and jump, or rather leap like a grasshopper?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 39:20
Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 39:20
As a grasshopper; which is easily affrighted, and chased away by the least noise of a man. Or, as divers others render the place, Didst thou make him to move like a grasshopper, skipping and leaping as he goes? So he describes the posture of a gallant and generous horse, who curvets, and pranceth, and as it were danceth as he walks. The glory of his nostrils; that snorting, or sound, and smoke which cometh out of his nostrils, especially when he is enraged and engaged in battle, which is another note of a generous horse, and strikes a terror into his adversary. Or, the vehemency, or majesty, or magnificence of his snorting, or snoring, as this word is rendered, .
Trapp's Commentary on Job 39:20
Job 39:20 Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils [is] terrible.Ver. 20. Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper?] Which soon flincheth and flieth with the least noise. But the horse is more like that formidable army of locusts described Joe 2:1-32, that bare down all before them, and shook all places wherever they came. The glory of his nostrils is terrible] Heb. Terrors; his snorting and sneezing strikes terror into people. The more wonderful is God’ s goodness in subduing to weak man so lusty a creature, to be ridden and ruled at his pleasure. He trains him to the great saddle, and teacheth him to obey his hand and spur, to bound in the air, to observe his measures, to show that docility, dexterity, and vigour, which none but God hath given him, and be every way so serviceable and useful, both in war and peace. Joannes Bodin hath observed (Theat. Nat. 405), That whereas lions, wolves, and other ravenous creatures have a gall and choler, whereby they are easily stirred up to anger and revenge; not so horses, asses, camels, elephants, and other creatures made for man’ s help; these have neither gall nor horns, wherein appeareth summa Opifieis sapientia, the great wisdom and goodness of the Creator.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 39:20
(20) Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper?—Rather, Hast thou made him to leap as a locust?
Cambridge Bible on Job 39:20
20. The comparison of the horse to the locust is not uncommon, Joe 2:4, Revelation 9:7. The picture of the horse is taken at the moment immediately preceding the onset, and thus his “bounding” and “snorting” are brought into connexion.
Barnes' Notes on Job 39:20
Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? - Or, rather, “as a locust” - כארבה kā'arbeh.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 39:20
20. Make him afraid — Make him bound or spring, like the locust. Comp. Joe 2:4. It is a common saying among the Arabs, that “the horse acts the locust,” i.e., he leaps from place to place like the locust.