Job 39:16
She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;
Original Language Analysis
בָּנֶ֣יהָ
against her young ones
H1121
בָּנֶ֣יהָ
against her young ones
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 8
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לְּלֹא
as though they were not
H3808
לְּלֹא
as though they were not
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לְרִ֖יק
is in vain
H7385
לְרִ֖יק
is in vain
Strong's:
H7385
Word #:
5 of 8
emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain
יְגִיעָ֣הּ
hers her labour
H3018
יְגִיעָ֣הּ
hers her labour
Strong's:
H3018
Word #:
6 of 8
toil; hence, a work, produce, property (as the result of labor)
Historical Context
Ancient cultures valued parental devotion; the ostrich seemed to violate natural affection. Yet this behavior served survival in harsh deserts where excessive attachment might endanger parent and remaining offspring. God's wisdom transcends human emotional expectations, sometimes requiring what appears as hardness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage challenge equating God's love with human sentimentality?
- What situations require firm resolve that others might misinterpret as harshness?
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Analysis & Commentary
"She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear." The ostrich appears callous toward offspring—the Hebrew hiqshah (הִקְשָׁה, "hardened/cruel") suggests harshness. Yet this perceived cruelty is actually God-given instinct serving the species' survival. The ostrich doesn't fear its "labour" being "in vain" (reyq, רֵיק, "empty/worthless") because God designed this behavior. This teaches that God's wisdom often contradicts human sentimentality.