Job 38:41
Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.
Original Language Analysis
מִ֤י
H4310
מִ֤י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 12
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יָכִ֥ין
Who provideth
H3559
יָכִ֥ין
Who provideth
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְ֭לָדָו
when his young ones
H3206
יְ֭לָדָו
when his young ones
Strong's:
H3206
Word #:
6 of 12
something born, i.e., a lad or offspring
אֶל
unto God
H410
אֶל
unto God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
7 of 12
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
יְשַׁוֵּ֑עוּ
cry
H7768
יְשַׁוֵּ֑עוּ
cry
Strong's:
H7768
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, to be free; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help, i.e., freedom from some trouble)
יִ֝תְע֗וּ
they wander
H8582
יִ֝תְע֗וּ
they wander
Strong's:
H8582
Word #:
10 of 12
to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
Cross References
Luke 12:24Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?Psalms 147:9He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.Matthew 6:26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures viewed ravens as scavengers, not worthy of care. Jesus later uses similar logic (Matthew 6:26) - God's care extends to least creatures.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's care for ravens teach about His care for you?
- How do 'insignificant' creatures reveal divine providence?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God asks: 'Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.' This reveals divine care for ravens - birds considered unclean and insignificant. If God feeds ravens, how much more does He care for Job?