Job 39:26
Job 39:26 in Multiple Translations
Does the hawk take flight by your understanding and spread his wings toward the south?
Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?
Is it by thy wisdom that the hawk soareth, And stretcheth her wings toward the south?
Is it through your knowledge that the hawk takes his flight, stretching out his wings to the south?
Is it through your wisdom that the hawk soars, spreading its wings towards the south?
Though the quiuer rattle against him, the glittering speare and the shield.
By thine understanding flieth a hawk? Spreadeth he his wings to the south?
“Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and stretches her wings toward the south?
Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings towards the south?
Doth the hawk wax feathered by thy wisdom, spreading her wings to the south?
“And think about big birds. Are you the one who enabled hawks to spread their wings and fly to the south for the winter?
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 39:26
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 39:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הֲֽ֭/מִ/בִּינָ֣תְ/ךָ
יַֽאֲבֶר
נֵ֑ץ
יִפְרֹ֖שׂ
כנפ/ו
כְּנָפָ֣י/ו
לְ/תֵימָֽן
הֲֽ֭/מִ/בִּינָ֣תְ/ךָ
bîynâh
H998
understanding
Part | Prep | N-fs | Suff
יַֽאֲבֶר
ʼâbar
H82
to fly
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
נֵ֑ץ
nêts
H5322
flower
N-ms
יִפְרֹ֖שׂ
pâras
H6566
to spread
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
כנפ/ו
kânâph
H3671
wing
N-fs | Suff
כְּנָפָ֣י/ו
kânâph
H3671
wing
N-fp | Suff
לְ/תֵימָֽן
têymân
H8486
south
Prep | N-fs
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 39:26
הֲֽ֭/מִ/בִּינָ֣תְ/ךָ
bîynâh
H998
"understanding"
Part | Prep | N-fs | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means understanding or discernment, like having wisdom or knowledge. It appears in books like Proverbs and Psalms, guiding people to make good decisions.
Definition: 1) understanding, discernment 1a) act 1b) faculty 1c) object 1d) personified Aramaic equivalent: bi.nah (בִּינָה "understanding" H0999)
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: knowledge, meaning, [idiom] perfectly, understanding, wisdom. See also: Deuteronomy 4:6; Proverbs 4:7; Proverbs 1:2.
יַֽאֲבֶר
ʼâbar
H82
"to fly"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word abar means to fly or soar, and is used to describe the movement of birds and other creatures. It is a verb that emphasizes the action of flying.
Definition: (Hiphil) to fly (to move wings)
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: fly. See also: Job 39:26.
נֵ֑ץ
nêts
H5322
"flower"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for hawk or falcon, also possibly referring to a flower due to its brightness. It describes a bird of prey, but the exact meaning is unknown. The word is used in the Bible to describe a swift and agile creature.
Definition: blossom
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: blossom, hawk. See also: Genesis 40:10; Deuteronomy 14:15; Job 39:26.
יִפְרֹ֖שׂ
pâras
H6566
"to spread"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to spread or break something apart, like scattering or stretching out. It is used to describe physical and figurative actions in the Bible.
Definition: 1) to spread, spread out, stretch, break in pieces 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to spread out, display 1a2) to spread over 1b) (Niphal) to be scattered, be spread out 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to spread out 1c1) to scatter
Usage: Occurs in 66 OT verses. KJV: break, chop in pieces, lay open, scatter, spread (abroad, forth, selves, out), stretch (forth, out). See also: Exodus 9:29; Psalms 44:21; Psalms 68:15.
כנפ/ו
kânâph
H3671
"wing"
N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for wing, used to describe the edge or extremity of something, like a bird's wing or the corner of a garment. It appears in the Bible to describe various objects and locations, including the wing of a bird.
Definition: 1) wing, extremity, edge, winged, border, corner, shirt 1a) wing 1b) extremity 1b1) skirt, corner (of garment)
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] bird, border, corner, end, feather(-ed), [idiom] flying, [phrase] (one an-) other, overspreading, [idiom] quarters, skirt, [idiom] sort, uttermost part, wing(-ed). See also: Genesis 1:21; Psalms 139:9; Psalms 17:8.
כְּנָפָ֣י/ו
kânâph
H3671
"wing"
N-fp | Suff
The Hebrew word for wing, used to describe the edge or extremity of something, like a bird's wing or the corner of a garment. It appears in the Bible to describe various objects and locations, including the wing of a bird.
Definition: 1) wing, extremity, edge, winged, border, corner, shirt 1a) wing 1b) extremity 1b1) skirt, corner (of garment)
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] bird, border, corner, end, feather(-ed), [idiom] flying, [phrase] (one an-) other, overspreading, [idiom] quarters, skirt, [idiom] sort, uttermost part, wing(-ed). See also: Genesis 1:21; Psalms 139:9; Psalms 17:8.
לְ/תֵימָֽן
têymân
H8486
"south"
Prep | N-fs
The Hebrew word for south or southern direction, used to describe location or wind. It is often translated as south in the Bible, including in books like Exodus and Ezekiel.
Definition: 1) south, southward, whatever is on the right (so the southern quarter), south wind 1a) south (of territory) 1b) southern quarter (of the sky) 1c) toward the south, southward (of direction) 1d) south wind
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: south (side, -ward, wind). See also: Exodus 26:18; Joshua 15:1; Psalms 78:26.
Study Notes — Job 39:26
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 39:26 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 39:26
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 39:26
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 39:26
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 39:26
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 39:26
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 39:26
- Cambridge Bible on Job 39:26
- Barnes' Notes on Job 39:26
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 39:26
- Sermons on Job 39:26
Context — The LORD Speaks of His Creation
24Trembling with excitement, he devours the distance; he cannot stand still when the ram’s horn sounds.
25At the blast of the horn, he snorts with fervor. He catches the scent of battle from afar, the shouts of captains and the cry of war.
26Does the hawk take flight by your understanding and spread his wings toward the south?
27Does the eagle soar at your command and make his nest on high? 28He dwells on a cliff and lodges there; his stronghold is on a rocky crag.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 14:15 | the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, |
| 2 | Song of Solomon 2:12 | The flowers have appeared in the countryside; the season of singing has come, and the cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land. |
| 3 | Leviticus 16:11 | When Aaron presents the bull for his sin offering and makes atonement for himself and his household, he is to slaughter the bull for his own sin offering. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 8:7 | Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons. The turtledove, the swift, and the thrush keep their time of migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the LORD. |
Job 39:26 Summary
Job 39:26 asks if the hawk takes flight by our understanding and spreads its wings toward the south, highlighting God's sovereignty and wisdom in creation. This verse teaches us that even the smallest details, like the migration patterns of birds, are under God's control (as seen in Jeremiah 8:7). It humbles our understanding, showing that there are aspects of creation that operate independently of human comprehension or control, pointing to the limitations of human knowledge (Job 38:4) and the vastness of God's wisdom (Isaiah 55:9). By reflecting on this, we can deepen our trust in God's sovereignty over all aspects of life, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the hawk in Job 39:26?
The hawk in Job 39:26 is used to illustrate God's sovereignty and wisdom in creation, highlighting that even the migration patterns of birds are under His control, as seen in Jeremiah 8:7, where it is written that even the stork knows its appointed times.
Is the hawk's migration a random event or part of God's plan?
According to Job 39:26, the hawk's migration is not by human understanding but is rather part of God's intricate plan for creation, emphasizing His power and wisdom, similar to what is stated in Psalm 104:10-14, where God's provision for all creatures is described.
How does this verse relate to human understanding and control?
This verse humbles human understanding, showing that there are aspects of creation that operate independently of human comprehension or control, pointing to the limitations of human knowledge as discussed in Job 38:4 and the vastness of God's wisdom as seen in Isaiah 55:9.
What does the southward flight of the hawk signify?
The hawk's flight toward the south may symbolize the instinctual patterns God has instilled in His creatures, similar to the instincts mentioned in Isaiah 31:5, where birds are used to illustrate God's protective care, highlighting His sovereignty over all of creation.
Reflection Questions
- How does the image of the hawk taking flight by God's understanding rather than ours challenge your perspective on the balance between human knowledge and divine wisdom?
- In what ways can reflecting on the hawk's migration pattern towards the south inspire a deeper trust in God's sovereignty over all aspects of life, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6?
- How might the realization that even the smallest details of creation, like the hawk's flight, are under God's control, influence your prayers and worship, considering Psalm 95:6-7?
- What lessons can be drawn from the contrast between human understanding and the hawk's instinctual knowledge, especially in relation to faith and trusting in God's plan, as discussed in Romans 11:33-36?
Gill's Exposition on Job 39:26
Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom,.... With so much swiftness, steadiness, and constancy, until she has seized her prey.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 39:26
Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south? The instinct by which some birds migrate to warmer climates before winter.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 39:26
Doth the hawk fly in so singular a manner, so strongly and steadily, so constantly and unweariedly, so swiftly and speedily, so regularly and cunningly, to catch her prey, by thy wisdom; didst thou inspire her with that wisdom? Stretch her wings toward the south; which she doth, either. 1. When she casts her old feathers, and gets new ones, which is furthered either by the warmth of southerly winds, or by the heat of the sun, which was southward from Job’ s country, as it is from ours; whence it is, that as wild hawks do this by natural instinct, so the places which men build for the keeping of tame hawks are built towards the south. Or, 2. In or towards winter, when wild hawks fly into warmer countries, as being impatient of cold weather.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 39:26
Job 39:26 Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, [and] stretch her wings toward the south?Ver. 26. Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom?] Or, Doth the hawk ( plumescere) get her feathers by thy wisdom? The word cometh from a root which signifieth strong, because the strength of fowls is in their wings, their delight in high flying. Hath the hawk her wings from thee? and doth she recruit and use them, artificio et auspicio, by thy art or industry? Tame them indeed men may, and bring them to hand, as falconers do, for pleasure more than for profit; but neither can they give them their wings nor repair them when broken. And stretch her wings toward the south] Thereby to furnish herself with a second plumage, while she flieth into those hotter countries, where (as they say) her old feathers by the sun’ s heat fall off, and new come in their room (Pennabit).
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 39:26
(26) Doth the hawk fly?—The more symmetrical order of these descriptions would be for the ostrich to have come after the war-horse and before the hawk; in that case there would have been a gradual transition from the fleetest of quadrupeds to the fleetest of birds by means of the ostrich, which, though winged like a bird, cannot use its wings as birds do, but only run on the ground like a quadruped.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 39:26
Verse 26. Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom] The hawk is called נץ nets, from its swiftness in darting down upon its prey; hence its Latin name, nisus, which is almost the same as the Hebrew. It may very probably mean the falcon, observes Dr. Shaw. The flight of a strong falcon is wonderfully swift. A falcon belonging to the Duke of Cleves flew out of Westphalia into Prussia in one day; and in the county of Norfolk, a hawk has made a flight at a woodcock of near thirty miles in an hour. Thuanus says, "A hawk flew from London to Paris in one night." It was owing to its swiftness that the Egyptians in their hieroglyphics made it the emblem of the wind. Stretch her wings toward the south?] Most of the falcon tribe pass their spring and summer in cold climates; and wing their way toward warmer regions on the approach of winter. This is what is here meant by stretching her wings toward the south. Is it through thy teaching that this or any other bird of passage knows the precise time for taking flight, and the direction in which she is to go in order to come to a warmer climate?
There is much of the wisdom and providence of God to be seen in the migration of birds of passage. This has been remarked before. There is a beautiful passage in Jeremiah, Jeremiah 8:7, on the same subject: "The stork in the heavens knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle, and the crane, and the swallow, observe the time of their coming: but my people know not the judgment of the Lord."
Cambridge Bible on Job 39:26
26. The hawk. her wings toward the south] The allusion is to the migration of the bird southward when the cold season of the year begins. Is it Job’s wisdom that directs her flight to the south?
Barnes' Notes on Job 39:26
Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom - The appeal here is to the hawk, because it is among the most rapid of the birds in its flight.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 39:26
β. Now that the splendid digression, setting before us the war-horse, is at an end, the thread of the subject is again taken up, and a new illustration given of diversities springing from
Sermons on Job 39:26
| Sermon | Description | |
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"Before the Last depression..." by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the warning signs that God may be sending to America through natural disasters and economic indicators, drawing parallels to past events like the Great Depre |
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My People Know Not the Judgement of the Lord by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher begins by acknowledging that God is doing something profound in the church and will bring about a deep purification in the coming year. The message is |
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(In the Word) 15 - the World in the Church by Milton Green | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of staying committed to the word of God and not being swayed by old traditions or wrong teachings. He urges the listeners to |
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The Seven Levels of Judgment - Improper Response Part 3 by Dan Biser | This sermon emphasizes the importance of responding properly to God's call, highlighting the consequences of improper responses seen in various biblical examples. It discusses the |
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The Seven Levels of Judgment - Improper Response Part 1 by Dan Biser | This sermon delves into the concept of the seven levels of judgment as outlined in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of understanding God's response to sin and the need for a p |
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The Seven Levels of Judgment - Improper Response Part 2 by Dan Biser | This sermon emphasizes the consequences of improper responses to God's instructions and calls for repentance, confession, and proper alignment with God's will. It highlights the im |
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Why Revival Leaves by Dean Taylor | Dean Taylor delves into the topic of revival, exploring the reasons why revival tarries and why it eventually leaves. Drawing from historical accounts like the Lancaster revivals, |