Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.

JOB 39:17KJV
Know the Bible

Job 39:17 (KJV)

What does Job 39:17 mean?

Job 39:17 says that God has not given the ostrich wisdom or understanding, explaining why it behaves in ways that seem foolish or careless. The verse points out that some creatures lack certain abilities or instincts because God chose not to give them those qualities.

In this part of the book of Job, God is speaking directly to Job, describing various animals to show His power and wisdom in creation. Here, God uses the ostrich as an example of a creature that seems to lack sense, highlighting that even this is by God's design and purpose. The verse fits into a larger speech where God asks Job to consider the mysteries of the natural world that only God fully understands.

The Hebrew behind Job 39:17

  • God (אֱלוֹהַּ, 'eloah): This is a singular form for God, emphasizing God's personal involvement in creation and the details of each creature's nature.
  • Deprived (נָשָׁה, nashah): This word means "to withhold" or "to deprive." The verse says God has actively chosen not to give the ostrich wisdom, not that the ostrich lost it by accident.
  • Wisdom (חָכְמָה, chokhmah): This word often means practical skill or insight. Here, it refers to the kind of sense or cleverness the ostrich seems to lack.
  • Imparted (חָלַק, chalaq): This means "to give" or "to apportion." The verse stresses that understanding was not shared with the ostrich.
  • Understanding (בִּינָה, binah): This word refers to discernment or the ability to make wise decisions. The ostrich's lack of "binah" explains its odd or careless behavior.

Why Job 39:17 matters

  • Job 39:17 helps clear up the idea that all creatures should act with the same kind of intelligence or care; the verse shows that God gives different qualities to different creatures for His own reasons.
  • The verse emphasizes God's sovereignty, reminding Job (and the reader) that God's choices in creation are intentional, even when they seem puzzling to humans.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing that human understanding is limited; if Job cannot explain why an ostrich acts as it does, he cannot question God's wisdom in running the world.

Where else these words appear

“deprived” Hebrew H5382 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 41:51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
  • Job 11:6 And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
  • Jeremiah 23:39 Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence:

“understanding” Hebrew H998 · used in 38 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
  • Job 39:26 Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?
  • Proverbs 23:4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

“God” Hebrew H433 · used in 56 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
  • Job 12:6 The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.
  • Job 31:6 Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.

“imparted” Hebrew H2505 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 14:15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
  • 1 Kings 18:6 So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.
  • Proverbs 7:5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.