Job 39:29
From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.
Original Language Analysis
מִשָּׁ֥ם
H8033
חָֽפַר
From thence she seeketh
H2658
חָֽפַר
From thence she seeketh
Strong's:
H2658
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, to pry into; by implication, to delve, to explore
לְ֝מֵרָח֗וֹק
afar off
H7350
לְ֝מֵרָח֗וֹק
afar off
Strong's:
H7350
Word #:
4 of 6
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
Historical Context
Ancient observers marveled at eagles' ability to spot prey from heights where the prey was invisible to human observers. This seemingly supernatural perception pointed to divine design. Eagles were associated with swiftness, power, and far-sightedness in ancient Near Eastern symbolism, making them appropriate metaphors for divine attributes.
Questions for Reflection
- How does dwelling securely in God enhance your spiritual perception and ability to discern what truly sustains life?
- What spiritual 'prey'—truth, wisdom, righteousness—can you seek more effectively from God's elevated perspective?
- In what ways do you need God to sharpen your spiritual vision to see opportunities and dangers that others miss?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
From the eagle's secure dwelling, God describes its hunting prowess. 'From thence she seeketh the prey' (chaqar okel, חָקַר אֹכֶל) emphasizes searching or investigating for food from that elevated position. 'Her eyes behold afar off' (merchaq nabat, מֶרְחָק נָבַט) describes the eagle's extraordinary visual acuity—ability to spot small prey from great heights. This verse connects security (previous verse) with provision—from its safe, high dwelling, the eagle can survey vast territory and identify sustenance. The theological parallel is profound: those established in God's security gain spiritual perception to identify and pursue what sustains life. The eagle's vision also metaphorically represents prophetic insight—seeing what others cannot perceive, discerning God's purposes from His perspective rather than earthly viewpoints. This connects to Habakkuk 2:1-2, where the prophet watches from his tower to receive God's revelation.