Job 39:19 — Word Study
WLCהֲתִתֵּ֣ן לַסּ֣וּס גְּבוּרָ֑ה הֲתַלְבִּ֖ישׁ צַוָּאר֣וֹ רַעְמָֽה׃
BSADo you givenâthan▸ [to bestow or impart] strengthgᵉbûwrâh [might, power, or ability] to the horseçûwç [swallow] or adornlâbash▸ [to clothe or wrap around] his necktsavvâʼr with a maneraʻmâh△ [a flowing, quivering, or vibrating growth]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הֲתִתֵּ֣ן | ¿ do you give | Particle, verb qal imperfect second person masculine singular |
| לַסּ֣וּס | to the horse | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| גְּבוּרָ֑ה | strength | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| הֲתַלְבִּ֖ישׁ | ¿ do you clothe | Particle, verb hiphil imperfect second person masculine singular |
| צַוָּאר֣וֹ | neck its | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| רַעְמָֽה׃ | a mane | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Do you give strength to the horse or adorn his neck with a mane? |
| KJV | Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? |
| ASV | Hast thou given the horse his might? Hast thou clothed his neck with the quivering mane? |
| YLT | Dost thou give to the horse might? Dost thou clothe his neck [with] a mane? |
| WEB | “Have you given the horse might? Have you clothed his neck with a quivering mane? |
| BBE | Do you give strength to the horse? is it by your hand that his neck is clothed with power? |
Where they part company is in the interpretation of גְּבוּרָ֑ה — see How Translations Differ.
Two main clauses with subordinate phrases, emphasizing God's questioning of Job's abilities.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
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 39:19
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 — God's Challenge to Jobgenerated
Job 39:19 is part of a series of questions God poses to Job, emphasizing His power and the wonder of His creation. Here, God asks Job if he can give strength to the horse or adorn it, illustrating the distinction between divine capability and human limitation. The surrounding verses (Job 39:18-21) continue this theme, showcasing the horse's strength and pride in battle, further emphasizing God's control over nature.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 15:1 | Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea. |
| 2 | Psalm 147:10 | He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legpower of the man. |
| 3 | Psalm 93:1 | The LORD reigns! He is robed in majesty; the LORD has clothed and armed Himself with strength. The world indeed is firmly established; it cannot be moved. |
| 4 | Psalm 104:1 | Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty. |
| 5 | Job 39:25 | At 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. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — גְּבוּרָ֑ה, ge.vu.Rahgenerated
The word גְּבוּרָ֑ה (gevurah) means strength, might, or power. It is a feminine noun that conveys not only physical strength but also the might of God, as seen in various contexts throughout the Scriptures. The parsing indicates that it is in the absolute form, which emphasizes its significance in the sentence.
This term is often associated with valor and bravery, reflecting both human and divine strength. In this verse, it highlights the horse's power, which is a gift from God, reinforcing the idea that true strength comes from Him.
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 verse contains two main clauses governed by the finite verbs הֲתִתֵּ֣ן (ha.ti.Ten, do you give) and הֲתַלְבִּ֖ישׁ (ha.tal.Bish, do you clothe). The first clause asks about giving strength to the horse, while the second clause inquires about adorning its neck with a mane.
The structure emphasizes God's questioning of Job's ability to perform these actions, highlighting the divine authority over creation.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הֲתִתֵּ֣ן as ἦ (ē), which conveys the idea of questioning or inquiring. This choice reflects a direct challenge to Job, similar to the Hebrew.
For גְּבוּרָ֑ה, the LXX uses δύναμιν (dynamin), which also means strength or power, reinforcing the concept of divine strength over creation.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 39:19 asks whether Job can give strength to a horse or adorn its neck with a mane. God is highlighting His own power and the limitations of human ability in the face of creation.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It refers to the ability to empower or enhance the horse's natural capabilities, which is something only God can do.
The horse symbolizes strength and power, often associated with battle and might in the ancient world.
It represents beauty and strength, signifying the horse's readiness and pride.
It illustrates that God alone has the power to give strength and adorn creation, emphasizing His control over all things.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I recognize God's power in the world around me?
- How can understanding God's sovereignty over creation impact my daily life?
- What does it mean for me to acknowledge my limitations in contrast to God's abilities?
- How can I appreciate the beauty and strength in creation as a reflection of God's character?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators like Gregory the Dialogist use this verse to explore themes of divine strength and human limitations, interpreting the horse as a symbol of the wicked and the strength that God provides.
Wilt thou give the horse strength, or wilt thou surround his neck with neighing? 43. In Holy Scripture there is sometimes expressed under the term 'horse,' the slippery life of the wicked, sometimes temporal dignity,Early Church Fathers on Job 39 →
Wilt thou give the horse strength, or wilt thou surround his neck with neighing. [MORAL INTERPRETATION] 74. Upon every soul, over which the Lord mercifully rules, He confers, above all things, the strength of faith: of which Peter says,Early Church Fathers on Job 39 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 39:19 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHast thou given the horse strength?.... Not only to bear burdens and draw carriages, but for war; for it is the war horse that is here spoken of, as what follows shows, and his strength denotes; not
Read John Gill on Job 39 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? The allusion to "the horse" (Job 39:18) suggests the description of him.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 39 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleStrength; either strength of body; or rather, courage and generous confidence, for which the horse is highly commended. With thunder, i.e. with snorting and neighing; in the making of which nereid the neck, in regard of the throat, which is within it, and a part of it, is a principal instrument; which noise may not unfitly be called thunder, because of the great vehemency and rage wherewith it is attended, and the great terror which it causeth, especially in war and battle, of which see ; and compare ,18, where this very term of thundering is ascribed to a far lower and less terrible noise. Nor is this, as some allege, an improper speech, because this thunder or neighing is rather clothed…
Read Matthew Poole on Job 39 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 39:19 Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?Ver. 19. Hast thou given the horse strength?] Having mentioned the horse, he comes next to show his nature; and here we have a most elegant description of a generous horse, such as Dubartas maketh Cain to manage, and as the Greeks call φρυσγματιαν, fremebundum. -Quod siqua sonum procul arms dedere Stare loco nescit, micat auribus, et tremit artus; Collectumque premens volvit sub naribus ignem (Virg. Georg.). In this creature therefore we have a clear instance of the wonderful power and wisdom of God. If the horse be so strong and warlike, what is the Almighty, that man of war? Exodus 15:3, and victor in…
Read John Trapp on Job 39 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(19) Thunder—i.e., with terror, such as thunder causes. Some refer it to the moving or shaking of the mane.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 39 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 19. Hast thou given the horse strength?] Before I proceed to any observations, I shall give Mr. Good's version of this, perhaps inimitable, description: - Ver. 19. Hast thou bestowed on the horse mettle? Hast thou clothed his neck with the thunder flash? Ver. 20. Hast thou given him to launch forth as an arrow? Terrible is the pomp of his nostrils. Ver. 21. He paweth in the valley, and exulteth. Boldly he advanceth against the clashing host: Ver. 22. He mocketh at fear, and trembleth not: Nor turneth he back from the sword. Ver. 23. Against him rattleth the quiver, The glittering spear, and the shield: Ver. 24. With rage and fury he devoureth the ground; And is impatient when the…
Read AdamClarke on Job 39 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHast thou given the horse strength? - The incidental allusion to the horse in comparison with the ostrich in the previous verse, seems to have suggested this magnificent description of this noble
Read Albert Barnes on Job 39 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleThird long strophe — FURTHER FROM THE BRUTE , OF THE WORKING OF GOD. THE HORSE A TASTE FOR WAR; THE HAWK, LED BY , TO DISTANT LANDS; WHILE THE KING OF BIRDS DEVOTES HIS OF VISION TO SEEKING CARRION FOR HIS PREY, Job 39:19-30.α.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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
Do you give strength to the horse or adorn his neck with a mane?
“Have you given the horse might? Have you clothed his neck with a quivering mane?
Do you give strength to the horse or adorn his neck with a mane?
“Do you give the horse its strength? Do you clothe its neck with a mane?
Tyndale line
Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?
Hast thou given the horse his might? Hast thou clothed his neck with the quivering mane?
Hast thou given the horse his might? hast thou clothed his neck with the quivering mane?
Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?
He sheweth himselfe cruell vnto his yong ones, as they were not his, and is without feare, as if he trauailed in vaine.
Strictly literal
Hast thou given strength to the horse? hast thou clothed his neck with the quivering mane?
Dost thou give to the horse might? Dost thou clothe his neck [with] a mane?
Do you give might to the horse? Do you clothe his neck [with] a mane?
Dost thou give the horse strength? dost thou clothe his neck with the rolling mane?
Have you given the horse his strength? Did you clothe his neck with his flowing mane?
From the Latin
Wilt thou give strength to the horse, or clothe his neck with neighing?
Simplified
Did you give the horse its strength? Did you place a mane upon its neck?
Do you give strength to the horse? is it by your hand that his neck is clothed with power?
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 closely in their wording, with all six Hebrew words matched in the Greek translation. This alignment indicates a consistent understanding of the text across these ancient witnesses.
הֲתִתֵּ֣ן לַסּ֣וּס גְּבוּרָ֑ה הֲתַלְבִּ֖ישׁ צַוָּאר֣וֹ רַעְמָֽה׃
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 39:19
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.
The Hebrew word נָתַן (natan) means 'to give' and encompasses a wide range of applications such as putting, setting, and making. It can also indicate actions like bestowing, delivering, and assigning. The entries describe its use in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hophal, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.
נָתַן 2007 vb. give, put, set
Qal 1917
give
Put, set
Make, constitute
Niph.
82be given
Be put, set
Hoph.
be given, bestowed
= be given to one for wife
be put upon
base
H5414 נָתַן give, put, set .. give
. Put, set
. Make, constitute
. . be given
. Be put, set
. . . be given, bestowed
. = be given to one for wife
. be put upon
5414 nathan naw-than'
a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of
application (put, make, etc.):--add, apply, appoint, ascribe,
assign, X avenge, X be ((healed)), bestow, bring (forth,
hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, +
cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, X doubtless, X
without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up),
grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up),
(give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that,
occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X
pull , put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send
(out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), + sing, + slander,
strike, (sub-)mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade,
turn, utter, + weep, + willingly, + withdraw, + would (to)
God, yield.
נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: give.
: give/deliver/send/produce
1) to give, put, set
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend
1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate
1a3) to make, constitute
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned
1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up
1c2) to be put upon
נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: put.
: put/set/apppoint
1) to give, put, set
1a) (Qal)
Part | V-Qal-Imperf-2ms — Particle · verb qal imperfect second person masculine singularHTi/Vqi2ms
(nathan, yahabh, sum; didomi): "Give" is a very common word in the Old Testament. It is most frequently the translation of nathan, "to give" (Ge 1:29; 3:6; Ex 2:9; De 18,20, etc., over 800 instances); nathan is also translated "to give up" (De 23:14; Isa 43:6; Ho 11:8); of yahabh, "to give" (Ge 30:1; 1Ch 16:28 the King James Version). In Ps 55:22 we have the perfect with suffix, "Cast thy burden upon Yahweh," margin "what he hath given thee"; elsewhere it is…
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…
גְּבוּרָה (gbuwrah) refers to strength or might, encompassing concepts of valor and bravery. It is derived from a root related to force and power, often used in a figurative sense. The term can denote not only human strength but also the might of God, highlighting its significance in both personal and divine contexts.
גְּבוּרָה 61 n.f. strength, might
strength
might, valour
might of God
base
H1369 גְּבוּרָה strength, might
1369 gbuwrah gheb-oo-raw'
feminine passive participle from the same as 1368; force
(literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory:--
force, mastery, might, mighty (act, power), power, strength.
see HEBREW for 01368
גְּבוּרָה (ge.vu.rah) — might.
1) strength, might
1a) strength
1b) might, valour, bravery
1c) might, mighty deeds (of God)
Aramaic equivalent: ge.vu.rah (גְּבוּרָה "might" H1370)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
→ A title given to Jehovah 1Sa 15:29
The Hebrew word לָבֵשׁ (*labash*) means to put on or wear clothing, and it can refer to both literal and figurative clothing. It is built from a primitive root meaning to wrap around. The entries cover various forms, including Qal, Pual, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of dressing or being clothed. The word is also noted for its use in a figurative sense, such as being clothed with a spirit.
לָבֵשׁ, לָבַשׁ vb. put on (a garment), wear, clothe, be clothed
Qal
lit. put on (one’s own) garment; = wear (more or less habitually)
very oft. fig., put on, be clothed with
lit. put on
once
clothed with
and the spirit of י׳ clothed itself with Gideon
Pu. arrayed
Hiph. clothe, array with
base
H3847 לָבֵשׁ, לָבַשׁ put on (a garment), wear, clothe, be clothed
3847 labash law-bash'
or labesh {law-bashe'}; a primitive root; properly, wrap
around, i.e. (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe
(oneself, or another), literally or figuratively:--(in)
apparel, arm, array (self), clothe (self), come upon, put (on,
upon), wear.
לָבֵשׁ (la.vash) — to clothe.
1) to dress, wear, clothe, put on clothing, be clothed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to put on clothes, be clothed, wear
1a2) to put on, be clothed with (fig.)
1b) (Pual) to be fully clothed
1c) (Hiphil) to clothe, array with, dress
Aramaic equivalent: le.vash (לְבֵשׁ "to clothe" H3848)
Part | V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms — Particle · verb hiphil imperfect second person masculine singularHTi/Vhi2ms
The Hebrew word צַוָּאר (*tsavvar*) primarily means 'neck' or 'back of the neck,' and can refer to both humans and animals. It is related to the word צַוָּרוֹן (*tsavvaron*), which means 'necklace,' as noted in Song of Solomon 4:9. The term is derived from a root meaning 'binding,' suggesting a connection to burdens carried on the neck.
צַוָּאר n.m. neck, back of neck
base
[צַוָּרוֹן] n.[m.]pl. necklace;—sf. Ct 4:9.
ref
H6677a צַוָּאר neck, back of neck H6677b צַוָּרוֹן n. [m.] pl. necklace
6677 tsavva'r tsav-vawr'
or tsavvar (Nehemiah 3:5) {tsav-vawr'}; or tsavvaron (Song of
Solomon 4:9) {tsav-vaw-rone'}; or (feminine) tsavva.rah (Micah
2:3) {tsav-vaw-raw'}; intensively from 6696 in the sense of
binding; the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are
bound):--neck.
see HEBREW for 06696
צַוָּאר (tsav.var) — neck.
1) neck, back of neck
1a) neck, back of neck (of man)
1b) neck (of animals)
Aramaic equivalent: tsav.var (צַוַּאר "neck" H6676)
צַוָּרוֹן (tsav.va.ron) — necklace.
necklace
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
רַעְמָה (ra`mah) refers to the mane of a horse, characterized by its quivering or waving motion. The term is associated with vibration, but its precise meaning remains uncertain. It appears in Job 39:19, where it is linked to the imagery of a horse.
רַעְמָה n.f. vibration ? quivering mane ? of horse’s neck: Jb 39:19
ref
H7483 רַעְמָה
7483 ra`mah rah-maw'
feminine of 7482; the mane of a horse (as quivering in the
wind):--thunder.
see HEBREW for 07482
רַעְמָה (ra.mah) — mane.
1) vibration, quivering, waving, mane (of horse)
1a) meaning uncertain
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa