Job 39:19 Study Bible: "Have you given the horse might? Have you clothed his neck with a quivering mane?

◄ Job 39:19 ►

Do you give strength to the horse or adorn his neck with a mane?

Do you give strength to the horse
This phrase highlights God's sovereignty and creative power, emphasizing that it is God who endows the horse with its strength. In biblical times, horses were symbols of power and might, often used in warfare and chariots (Exodus 14:9). The rhetorical question underscores human limitations compared to God's omnipotence. Horses were not native to Israel and were imported, often from Egypt, which was known for its strong horses (1 Kings 10:28-29). This reflects the broader biblical theme of reliance on God rather than military might (Psalm 20:7).

or adorn his neck with a mane?
The mane of a horse is a symbol of beauty and majesty, suggesting that God not only provides strength but also adorns His creation with splendor. The imagery of the mane can be seen as a metaphor for the glory and honor that God bestows upon His creatures. In the cultural context, a well-groomed mane was a sign of a well-cared-for and valuable horse, often associated with royalty and nobility (Proverbs 21:31). This phrase can also be seen as a reminder of God's attention to detail and His care for all aspects of creation, reflecting His nature as a God of order and beauty (Genesis 1:31).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Job
A man of great faith and patience, who undergoes severe trials and questions God's justice.

2. God
The Creator, who speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, challenging Job's understanding of divine wisdom and power.

3. The Horse
A symbol of strength and majesty, used by God to illustrate His power and the intricacies of His creation.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty in Creation
The verse highlights God's unmatched power and wisdom in creation. Just as He gives strength to the horse, He orchestrates all aspects of life.

Human Limitations
We are reminded of our limitations and the futility of relying solely on human strength or understanding. Our strength comes from God.

Trust in God's Design
The intricacy of the horse's design reflects God's intentionality. We can trust that He has a purpose and plan for every aspect of our lives.

Humility Before God
Recognizing God's power should lead us to humility. We are called to submit to His will and acknowledge His authority over all creation.

Spiritual Strength Over Physical Might
While physical strength is admirable, spiritual strength and reliance on God are of greater value. We should seek to cultivate a heart that trusts in Him.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the imagery of the horse in Job 39:19 help us understand God's power and creativity?

2. In what ways can we be tempted to rely on our own strength rather than God's? How can we shift our focus to trust in Him?

3. How does recognizing our limitations lead to a deeper relationship with God?

4. What are some practical ways we can cultivate spiritual strength in our daily lives?

5. How do the additional scriptures (Psalm 147:10-11, Isaiah 31:1, James 3:3) enhance our understanding of Job 39:19 and its application to our lives?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Psalm 147:10-11
This passage emphasizes that God does not delight in the strength of the horse but in those who fear Him and hope in His mercy, highlighting the importance of spiritual strength over physical might.

Isaiah 31:1
Warns against relying on horses and chariots for strength instead of trusting in the Lord, reinforcing the theme of divine reliance.

James 3:3
Uses the metaphor of a horse's bit to illustrate control, connecting to the idea of God's sovereignty over creation.

Sermons

The Creatures not Dependent Upon Man	R. Green	Job 39:1-30
The War-Horse	W.F. Adeney	Job 39:19-25
Horses in Battle	T. De Witt Talmage.	Job 39:19-30
The Higher Teaching of Nature	John Fry, B. A.	Job 39:19-30
The Horse	T. De Witt Talmage.	Job 39:19-30

People

Job

Places

Topics

Clothe, Clothed, Fierceness, Flowing, Hast, Horse, Mane, Neck, Power, Quivering, Strength, Thunder

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Job 39:1-30

1305 God, activity of

Job 39:19-25

4657 horse

Library

Whether Daring is a Sin?
Objection 1: It seems that daring is not a sin. For it is written (Job 39:21) concerning the horse, by which according to Gregory (Moral. xxxi) the godly preacher is denoted, that "he goeth forth boldly to meet armed men [*Vulg.: 'he pranceth boldly, he goeth forth to meet armed men']." But no vice redounds to a man's praise. Therefore it is not a sin to be daring. Objection 2: Further, according to the Philosopher (Ethic. vi, 9), "one should take counsel in thought, and do quickly what has been …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Religious Life of those who Live in Community is More Perfect than that of those who Lead a Solitary Life?
Objection 1: It would seem that the religious life of those who live in community is more perfect than that of those who lead a solitary life. For it is written (Eccles. 4:9): "It is better . . . that two should be together, than one; for they have the advantage of their society." Therefore the religious life of those who live in community would seem to be more perfect. Objection 2: Further, it is written (Mat. 18:20): "Where there are two or three gathered together in My name, there am I in the …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Mode and Order of the Temptation were Becoming?
Objection 1: It would seem that the mode and order of the temptation were unbecoming. For the devil tempts in order to induce us to sin. But if Christ had assuaged His bodily hunger by changing the stones into bread, He would not have sinned; just as neither did He sin when He multiplied the loaves, which was no less a miracle, in order to succor the hungry crowd. Therefore it seems that this was nowise a temptation. Objection 2: Further, a counselor is inconsistent if he persuades the contrary to …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Prov. 22:06 the Duties of Parents
"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it."--Prov. 22:6. I SUPPOSE that most professing Christians are acquainted with the text at the head of this page. The sound of it is probably familiar to your ears, like an old tune. It is likely you have heard it, or read it, talked of it, or quoted it, many a time. Is it not so? But, after all, how little is the substance of this text regarded! The doctrine it contains appears scarcely known, the duty it puts …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Whether Contention is a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that contention is not a mortal sin. For there is no mortal sin in spiritual men: and yet contention is to be found in them, according to Lk. 22:24: "And there was also a strife amongst" the disciples of Jesus, "which of them should . . . be the greatest." Therefore contention is not a mortal sin. Objection 2: Further, no well disposed man should be pleased that his neighbor commit a mortal sin. But the Apostle says (Phil. 1:17): "Some out of contention preach Christ," …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

On the Animals
The birds are the saints, because they fly to the higher heart; in the gospel: and he made great branches that the birds of the air might live in their shade. [Mark 4:32] Flying is the death of the saints in God or the knowledge of the Scriptures; in the psalm: I shall fly and I shall be at rest. [Ps. 54(55):7 Vulgate] The wings are the two testaments; in Ezekiel: your body will fly with two wings of its own. [Ez. 1:23] The feathers are the Scriptures; in the psalm: the wings of the silver dove. …
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
(from Bethany to Jerusalem and Back, Sunday, April 2, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXI. 1-12, 14-17; ^B Mark XI. 1-11; ^C Luke XIX. 29-44; ^D John XII. 12-19. ^c 29 And ^d 12 On the morrow [after the feast in the house of Simon the leper] ^c it came to pass, when he he drew nigh unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, ^a 1 And when they came nigh unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage unto { ^b at} ^a the mount of Olives [The name, Bethphage, is said to mean house of figs, but the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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