She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place. Where she and her young are safe: so Pliny F18 Nat. Hist. l. 10. 3. says, eagles make their nests in rocks, even in the precipices of them, as the philosopher quoted in the preceding verse; and here on the tooth, edge, or precipice of the rock, which is inaccessible, and so like a strong fortified place. read more
From thence she seeketh the prey ,.... From the high rock; from whence she can look down into valleys, and even into the sea; and spy what is for her purpose, and descend and seize upon them; as lambs, fawns, geese, shellfish, &c.; though they may lie in the most hidden and secret places. Wherefore in the original text it is, "she diggeth the prey or food" F19 חפר אכל "fodit escam"; Montanus, Mercerus. ; as treasure hid in secret is dug or diligently searched for; and for which... read more
Her young ones also suck up blood ,.... As well as herself, being brought up to it by her. The eagle cares not for water, but drinks the blood of her prey; and so her young ones after her, as naturalists report F23 Aristot. de Animal. l. 8. c. 3. 18. Aelianus, l. 2. c. 26. . And Aelianus says F24 Ib. l. 10. c. 14. the same of the hawk, that it eats no seeds, but devours flesh and drinks blood, and nourishes her young ones with the same. And where the slain are, there is she ;... read more
Upon the crag of the rock - סלע שן shen sela , the tooth of the rock, i.e., some projecting part, whither adventurous man himself dares not follow her. And the strong place - ומצודה umetsudah . Mr. Good translates this word ravine, and joins it to Job 39:29 , thus: "And thence espieth the ravine: her eyes trace the prey afar off." read more
Her eyes behold afar off - The eagle was proverbial for her strong and clear sight. So Horace, lib. i., sat. iii., ver. 25: - Cum tua pervideas oculis mala lippus inunctis, Cur in amicorum vitas tam cernis acutum, Quam aut aquila, aut serpens Epidaurius read more
Her young ones also suck up blood - The eagle does not feed her young with carrion, but with prey newly slain, so that they may suck up blood. Where the slain are, there is she - These words are quoted by our Lord. "Wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together," Matthew 24:28 ; (note). It is likely, however, that this was a proverbial mode of expression; and our Lord adapts it to the circumstances of the Jewish people, who were about to fall a prey to the... read more
This chapter completes the survey of animate nature begun at Job 38:39 . The habits and instincts of the wild goat, the wild ass, and wild cattle are first noticed ( Job 38:1-12 ); then a transition is made to the most remarkable of birds, the ostrich ( Job 38:13-18 ). Next, the horse is described, and, as it were, depicted, in a passage of extraordinary fire and brilliancy ( Job 38:19-25 ). Finally, a return is made to remarkable birds, and the habits of the hawk and eagle obtain... read more
Jehovah to Job: the first answer-the examination: 6. Concerning certain wild animals. I. THE MOUNTAIN GOAT AND THE HIND . (Verses 1-4.) 1 . The creatures intended. It is generally agreed that these are the steinbock, or ibex, and the stag. The former, inhabiting exclusively the more rocky and desolate parts of the country, possesses fore legs considerably shorter than its hinder, which enable it to ascend with more facility than to descend, and lead it, when pursued, to... read more
The creatures not dependent upon man. We truly know that of man it is written, "Thou hast put all things under his feet;" and "We see not yet all things put under him." The creatures over whom dominion was given to man are not wholly submissive. And man must learn his littleness in presence of the great creatures of God whom he fails to subdue. "The wild goats" and "the hinds" and "the wild ass," "the unicorn," even "the ostrich," "the horse" and the birds of the air, "the hawk" and "the... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 39:26-30
The birds of the air are proofs of the wonderful power and providences of God, as well as the beasts of the earth; God here refers particularly to two stately ones:?1. The hawk, a noble bird of great strength and sagacity, and yet a bird of prey, Job 39:26. This bird is here taken notice of for her flight, which is swift and strong, and especially for the course she steers towards the south, whither she follows the sun in winter, out of the colder countries in the north, especially when she is... read more