Job 39:6-8 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Bible Comments

Whose house I have made the wilderness Which uses and loves to dwell in desert lands; and the barren land his dwellings Called barren, not simply, for then he must be starved there, but comparatively uncultivated, and therefore, in a great measure, unfruitful. He scorneth Hebrew, ישׂחק, jischak, he laugheth at the multitude of the city He mentions the city, rather than the country, because there is the greatest multitude of people to pursue, overtake, and subject him. The meaning is, He fears them not when they pursue him, because he is swift and can easily escape them. Or, he values them not, nor any provisions which he might have from them, but prefers a vagrant, solitary life in the wilderness before any thing they can offer him. Or he disdains to submit himself to them, and resolutely maintains his own freedom. Neither regardeth he the crying of the driver Hebrew, נגשׂ, noges, the task-master, or exacter of labour, that is, he will not be brought to receive his yoke, nor to do his drudgery, nor to answer to his cries or commands, as tame asses are compelled to do. The range of the mountains יתור הרים, jethur harim, excellentissimum montium, what is most excellent in the mountains; or, as the word may signify, That which he searcheth out, or findeth in the mountains. He prefers that mean provision and hardship, with his freedom, before the fattest pastures with servitude.

Job 39:6-8

6 Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barrena land his dwellings.

7 He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.b

8 The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.