Job 39:18

“What time she lifted up herself on high, etc.] It is sometimes eight foot high f1400; when alarmed with approaching danger she raises up herself, being sitting on the ground, and erects her wings for flight, or rather running; she scorneth the horse and his rider; being then, as Pliny f1401 says, higher than a man on horseback, and superior to a horse in swiftness; and though horsemen have been able to take wild asses and goats, very swift creatures, yet never ostriches, as Xenophon relates f1402 of those in Arabia; and this creature has another method, when pursued, by which it defies and despises, as well as hurts and incommodes its pursuers, which is by casting stones backward at them…”

“Notwithstanding her deficiencies, she has distinguishing excellences. lifteth . . . herself--for running; she cannot mount in the air. GESENIUS translates: "lashes herself" up to her course by flapping her wings. The old versions favor English Version, and the parallel "scorneth" answers to her proudly "lifting up herself."”

“What time she lifteth up herself on high - In the previous verses reference had been made to the fact that in some important respects the ostrich was inferior to other animals, or had special laws in regard to its habits and preservation. Here the attention is called to the fact that, notwithstanding its inferiority in some respects, it had properties such as to command the highest admiration. Its lofty carriage, the rapidity of its flight, and the proud scorn with which it would elude the pursuit of the fleetest coursers, were all things that showed that God had so endowed it as to furnish proof of his wisdom. The phrase “what time she lifteth up herself,” refers to the fact that she raises…”

“Lifteth - To flee from her pursuer: to which end she lifts up her head and body, and spreads her wings. Scorneth - She despises them thro' her swiftness; for though she cannot fly, yet by the aid of her wings she runs so fast, that horse - men cannot reach her. Job 39:19”

“39:18 passes (literally scorns) the swiftest horse with its rider: See 39:7, 22; 41:29.”

“Job 39:7, Job 39:22, Job 5:22, Job 41:29; Kg2 19:21 Job 39:19”