Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?

JOB 39:26KJV
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Job 39:26 (KJV)

What does Job 39:26 mean?

Job 39:26 asks whether the hawk’s ability to fly and migrate south comes from human wisdom, suggesting that such remarkable instincts are not controlled or understood by people. The verse points to the natural abilities of animals as something beyond human planning or power.

In this verse, God is speaking to Job out of a whirlwind, challenging Job’s understanding and control over the natural world. The question about the hawk highlights how even common creatures act with a wisdom and purpose that humans cannot claim credit for, underlining God’s greater knowledge and authority.

The Hebrew behind Job 39:26

  • "wisdom" (בִּינָה, binah): This word means insight or understanding. God is asking if it is by human insight that the hawk knows when and how to migrate, implying that such knowledge is not human in origin.
  • "stretch" (יָפֵר, yaphar): This word means to spread out or stretch. The image is of the hawk spreading its wings to fly south, an action guided by instinct rather than human direction.
  • "south" (תֵּימָן, teman): This refers to the direction of the south, often associated with warmth and migration. The verse points to the hawk’s natural migration patterns, which happen without human involvement.

Why Job 39:26 matters

  • Job 39:26 helps clear up the idea that humans are in control of nature, showing that many things in the world happen apart from human wisdom or intervention.
  • The verse emphasizes God’s wisdom by pointing to the instinctive behaviors of animals, which are both familiar and mysterious to people.
  • In the wider passage, this question is part of a series meant to humble Job and remind him of the limits of human understanding compared to God’s.

Where else these words appear

“hawk” Hebrew H5322 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 40:10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
  • Leviticus 11:16 And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,
  • Deuteronomy 14:15 And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,

“south” Hebrew H8486 · used in 22 verses

  • Exodus 26:18 And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward.
  • Numbers 10:6 When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.
  • Song of Solomon 4:16 Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

“wisdom” 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 39:17 Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
  • Proverbs 23:4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

“stretch” Hebrew H6566 · used in 66 verses

  • Exodus 9:29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S.
  • 2 Kings 8:15 And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.
  • Isaiah 33:23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.