Job – Chapter 39

Old Testament35 Verses

Chapter Summary

Job 39 opens with the words: "Knowest thou the time when the wild goats bring forth among the rocks, or hast thou observed the hinds when they fawn?" Job stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 35 verses, two threads run through the text: wisdom for daily living and faith and trust in God. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Knowest thou the time when the wild goats bring forth among the rocks, or hast thou observed the hinds when they fawn?

2Hast thou numbered the months of their conceiving, or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?

3They bow themselves to bring forth young, and they cast them, and send forth roarings.

4Their young are weaned and go to feed: they go forth, and return not to them.

5Who hath sent out the wild ass free, and who hath loosed his bonds?

6To whom I have given a house in the wilderness, and his dwellings in the barren land.

7He scorneth the multitude of the city, he heareth not the cry of the driver.

8He looketh round about the mountains of his pasture, and seeketh for every green thing.

9Shall the rhinoceros be willing to serve thee, or will he stay at thy crib?

10Canst thou bind the rhinoceros with thy thong to plough, or will he break the clods of the valleys after thee?

11Wilt thou have confidence in his great strength, and leave thy labours to him?

12Wilt thou trust him that he will render thee the seed, and gather it into thy barnfloor?

13The wing of the ostrich is like the wings of the heron, and of the hawk.

14When she leaveth her eggs on the earth, thou perhaps wilt warm them in the dust.

15She forgetteth that the foot may tread upon them, or that the beasts of the field may break them.

16She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers, she hath laboured in vain, no fear constraining her.

17For God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he given her understanding.

18When time shall be, she setteth up her wings on high: she scorneth the horse and his rider.

19Wilt thou give strength to the horse or clothe his neck with neighing?

20Wilt thou lift him up like the locusts? the glory of his nostrils is terror.

21He breaketh up the earth with his hoof, he pranceth boldly, he goeth forward to meet armed men.

22He despiseth fear, he turneth not his back to the sword.

23Above him shall the quiver rattle, the spear and shield shall glitter.

24Chasing and raging he swalloweth the ground, neither doth he make account when the noise of the trumpet soundeth.

25When he heareth the trumpet he saith: Ha, ha: he smelleth the battle afar off, the encouraging of the captains, and the shouting of the army.

26Doth the hawk wax feathered by thy wisdom, spreading her wings to the south?

27Will the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest in high places?

28She abideth among the rocks, and dwelleth among cragged flints, and stony hills, where there is no access.

29From thence she looketh for the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.

30Her young ones shall suck up blood: and wheresoever the carcass shall be, she is immediately there.

31And the Lord went on, and said to Job:

32Shall he that contendeth with God be so easily silenced? surely he that reproveth God, ought to answer him.

33Then Job answered the Lord, and said:

34What can I answer, who hath spoken inconsiderately? I will lay my hand upon my mouth.

35One thing I have spoken, which I wish I had not said: and another, to which I will add no more.

Important Verses in Job 39

Knowest thou the time when the wild goats bring forth among the rocks, or hast thou observed the hinds when they fawn?

Job 39:1

For God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he given her understanding.

Job 39:17

Wilt thou lift him up like the locusts? the glory of his nostrils is terror.

Job 39:20

Shall he that contendeth with God be so easily silenced? surely he that reproveth God, ought to answer him.

Job 39:32

Historical Context

Job addresses all who wrestle with the mystery of suffering and God's justice within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 39 of 42 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a wisdom instruction on how to live before God in ordinary circumstances with 35 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Job appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "Knowest thou the time when the wild goats bring forth among the rocks, or hast thou observed the hinds when they fawn?" The chapter ends with: "One thing I have spoken, which I wish I had not said: and another, to which I will add no more. " Read against its original backdrop, Job confronts the deepest human question: why do the innocent suffer? Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Uncertain; commonly dated between the 7th and 4th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Unknown inspired poet of Israel

When It Was Written

Uncertain; commonly dated between the 7th and 4th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense presents maxims, observations, or arguments meant to form character and discernment. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Knowest thou the time when the wild goats bring forth among the rocks, or hast thou observed the hinds when they fawn?" The passage repeatedly touches on wisdom for daily living.

Catholic exegesis reads Job 39 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Church sees Job as prefiguring Christ in innocent suffering (CIC 1502). St. John Chrysostom and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 385).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.

People in This Chapter

Job2 mentions

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Job Chapter 39 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Job Chapter 39. At the moral level, repentance and the mercy of God challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 302).

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 461).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Job Chapter 39 about?

Job 39 contains 35 verses. It opens with "Knowest thou the time when the wild goats bring forth among the rocks, or hast thou observed the hinds when they fawn?" and closes with "One thing I have spoken, which I wish I had not said: and another, to which I will add no more. ". The book as a whole is wisdom literature in poetic dialogue.

What is a key verse in Job 39?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Knowest thou the time when the wild goats bring forth among the rocks, or hast thou observed the hinds when they fawn?" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Job Chapter 39?

This chapter mentions Job.

Who wrote Job and when?

Unknown inspired poet of Israel. Uncertain; commonly dated between the 7th and 4th centuries BC.

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