Job 39:12
Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?
Original Language Analysis
הֲתַאֲמִ֣ין
Wilt thou believe
H539
הֲתַאֲמִ֣ין
Wilt thou believe
Strong's:
H539
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָשִׁ֣וב
him that he will bring home
H7725
יָשִׁ֣וב
him that he will bring home
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
4 of 7
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
זַרְעֶ֑ךָ
thy seed
H2233
זַרְעֶ֑ךָ
thy seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
5 of 7
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
Historical Context
Harvest was crucial for survival; unreliable help threatened food security. The wild ox's strength seemed wasted from human perspective, but God had other purposes for it. This taught ancient readers to trust divine wisdom even when it seemed to waste potential resources from human viewpoint.
Questions for Reflection
- What seemingly "wasted" potential in your life might actually be serving God's different purposes?
- How does trusting God's design free you from anxiety about unused capacities or opportunities?
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Analysis & Commentary
"Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?" The wild ox cannot be trusted (aman, אָמַן, "believe/have confidence") for harvest work. Domestication requires not just physical capability but reliable behavior. God designed some creatures for partnership with humans, others for independence. This demonstrates divine wisdom in creation diversity. The question implicitly asks: if you cannot make the wild ox serve your purposes, how can you judge My purposes in your life?