Job 39:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God explains that He withheld wisdom from the ostrich and gave her no understanding.
What Does Job 39:17 Mean?
The Lord gives the reason for the ostrich's strange ways: He Himself did not grant her the wisdom and understanding other creatures have. Her nature is as God appointed, not as Job would have ordered it.
Here is a frank reminder that the distribution of gifts in creation rests with the Creator. He gives understanding to some and withholds it from others, and all of it is His to dispense. Far from accusing God, the verse leads Job toward humility before a Maker whose choices are wise even when they baffle us. The same hand that withholds from one creature lavishes wisdom elsewhere, and every measure is set by Him.
Job 39:17 in the Original Language
chokmah (חָכְמָה), 'wisdom' -- skillful understanding for living, here named as God's to give or withhold.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job 39:17
What does Job 39:17 mean?
God explains that He withheld wisdom from the ostrich and gave her no understanding.