Job 39:4

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 39:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open field; They go forth, and return not again.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open field; They go forth, and return not again.
Job 39:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 39

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open field; They go forth, and return not again.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Their young ones are in good liking, etc.] Plump, fat, and sleek, as fawns are: they grow up with corn; by which they grow, or without in the field, as the word also signifies; and their growth and increase is very quick, as Aristotle observes f1352; they go forth, and return not unto them: they go forth into the fields, and shift and provide for themselves, and trouble their dams no more; and return not to them, nor are they known by them.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“are in good liking--in good condition, grow up strong. with corn--rather, "in the field," without man's care. return not--being able to provide for themselves.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Their young ones are in good liking - Hebrew “they are fat;” and hence, it means that they are strong and robust. They grow up with corn - Herder, Gesenius, Noyes, Umbreit, and Rosenmuller render this, “in the wilderness,” or “field.” The proper and usual meaning of the word used here (בר bâr) is corn (grain); but in Chaldee it has the sense of open fields, or country. The same idea is found in the Arabic, and this sense seems to be required by the connection. The idea is not that they are nurtured with grain, which would require the care of man, but that they are nurtured under the direct eye of God far away from human dwellings, and even when they go away from their dam and return no more…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Young ones - Notwithstanding their great weakness caused by their hard entrance into the world. Grow up - As with corn, that is, as if they were fed with corn. Go forth - Finding sufficient provisions abroad by the care of God's providence. Job 39:5”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification