Lexical Summary sekvi: Rooster, cock Original Word: שֶׂכְוִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance heart From the same as Sekuw; observant, i.e. (concretely) the mind -- heart. see HEBREW Sekuw NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition perhaps appearance, phenomenon NASB Translation mind (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שֶׂכְוִי noun [masculine] perhaps a celestial appearance, phenomenon (Rabb Thes mind; De (after Talmud) cock (compare Late Hebrew שֶׂכְוִי cock, שֶׂכְוְיָה hen, foreign words accusative Dalm), Di 'Wolkengebilde'); — absolute ׳שׂ perhaps of clouds (compare "" טֻחִוֺת) Job 38:36 (RVm meteor). Topical Lexicon Occurrence in Scripture שֶׂכְוִי appears once, in Job 38:36, within the second divine speech that magnifies God’s sovereignty and wisdom. Semantic Considerations Ancient and modern translators have rendered שֶׂכְוִי variously as “rooster,” “ibis,” “inward parts,” or “heart.” Each option highlights instinctive or internal wisdom implanted by the Creator. Whether referring to a bird renowned for sensing dawn or to the seat of human understanding, the word underscores that all natural insight originates with God. Historical Interpretation and Translation • Septuagint: “heart.” Early Christian commentators usually favored “heart,” linking the verse to the moral and spiritual faculties granted by God. Literary Context in Job Job 38:36 reads, “Who has put wisdom in the heart or given understanding to the mind?” The question follows references to atmospheric phenomena (verses 34–35) and precedes mention of celestial bodies (verse 37). By inserting שֶׂכְוִי between thunderclouds and constellations, the Lord moves from the grand to the intimate, stressing that inner perception is as fully under His control as tempest or star. Theological Significance 1. Divine Source of Wisdom: The verse declares that instinct (if a bird is meant) and cognition (if the heart is meant) are alike gifts from God (compare Proverbs 2:6; James 1:5). Practical Ministry Applications • Teaching on Humility: Preachers may use Job 38:36 to remind believers that intellectual ability is a stewardship, not self-generated. Devotional Reflection Each morning’s crow or silent stirring of conscience echoes the question, “Who has put wisdom…?” The answer invites worship: the same God who governs the dawn also enlightens the believer’s heart through His Word (Psalm 19:1-14; Ephesians 1:17-18). Connection to the Wider Canon • Rooster imagery resurfaces in Peter’s denial (Matthew 26:34, 75), contrasting human frailty with divine foreknowledge. Related Topics and Cross References Wisdom from God (Job 28:12-28; Proverbs 3:5-7) Providence in Creation (Psalm 104; Colossians 1:16-17) Humility before Divine Mystery (Isaiah 55:8-9; Romans 11:33-36) Forms and Transliterations לַשֶּׂ֣כְוִי לשכוי laś·śeḵ·wî lasSechvi laśśeḵwîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 38:36 HEB: מִֽי־ נָתַ֖ן לַשֶּׂ֣כְוִי בִינָֽה׃ NAS: given understanding to the mind? KJV: understanding to the heart? INT: Who given heart understanding 1 Occurrence |
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