Job 39:16 Meaning and Explanation
“She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The ostrich treats her young harshly, as if they were not her own, untroubled though her labor come to nothing.
What Does Job 39:16 Mean?
The ostrich is portrayed as strangely hard toward her chicks, behaving as though they did not belong to her, unbothered even if her efforts to bear young prove fruitless.
This is one of creation's puzzles laid before Job. A creature lacking the tender instinct we expect still has its place in the world God made. The verse does not commend such hardness; it sets a mystery before us, that the Lord's creation includes what we cannot fully understand. Job, who has questioned why his own life unraveled, is shown that much in the world exceeds his grasp, and is invited to trust the wisdom behind it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 39:16
What does Job 39:16 mean?
The ostrich treats her young harshly, as if they were not her own, untroubled though her labor come to nothing.