What Does Job 39:19 Mean in the King James?
Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The horse’s power is so visible it seems to wear thunder as a mane, and the question is whether you gave it.
THE MEANING
The horse’s force is before you as something astonishing, but not something you originate. Its neck carries the visible, roaring sign of that power; the question presses on the difference between witnessing strength and giving it.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the assumption that power begins with the one who handles or admires it: the horse’s might is given, not self-created.
THE ROOT
רְעָמָה
re'amah
GROWS FROM
רעם
ra'am
To thunder, roar, or make a loud, shaking sound.
The rare Hebrew word רְעָמָה (re’amah) can name the horse’s mane, while its root carries the sound of thunder and roar. The KJV’s image lets that roar stay audible: the horse’s power is seen in the moving mane and heard like a storm.
ALSO GROWS
ra'am: To thunder or roar.
רָעַם
This verb carries the root’s shaking sound into the KJV image of thunder around the horse’s neck.
re'amah: Mane; the hair on a horse’s neck.
רְעָמָה
The mane gives the root’s force a visible form, moving at the very place where the verse clothes the horse with thunder.
גְּבוּרָה
gevurah
GROWS FROM
גבר
gavar
To be strong, prevail, or be mighty.
גְּבוּרָה (gevurah) is might that prevails, not just an abstract measure of strength. The question asks whether you give the horse this power, making its force something received rather than self-authored.
ALSO GROWS
gibbor: A mighty one or warrior.
גִּבּוֹר
This branch names one who acts with might, echoing the horse’s forceful presence.
gever: A man or adult male.
גֶּבֶר
The shared root links human might to the horse’s strength, keeping both within the same family of prevailing power.
THE PATTERN
The force visible in creation is received rather than self-authored, pointing beyond human control to its giver.
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:THE THREAD
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.Both verses use גְּבוּרָה (gevurah, might) for the horse’s power. Job asks whether you give it; the psalm says that might is not what the LORD delights in, separating visible force from its giver.
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