Job 39:15
New International Version
unmindful that a foot may crush them, that some wild animal may trample them.

New Living Translation
She doesn’t worry that a foot might crush them or a wild animal might destroy them.

English Standard Version
forgetting that a foot may crush them and that the wild beast may trample them.

Berean Standard Bible
She forgets that a foot may crush them, or a wild animal may trample them.

King James Bible
And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.

New King James Version
She forgets that a foot may crush them, Or that a wild beast may break them.

New American Standard Bible
And she forgets that a foot may crush them, Or that a wild animal may trample them.

NASB 1995
And she forgets that a foot may crush them, Or that a wild beast may trample them.

NASB 1977
And she forgets that a foot may crush them, Or that a wild beast may trample them.

Legacy Standard Bible
And she forgets that a foot may crush them, Or that a beast of the field may trample them.

Amplified Bible
Forgetting that a foot may crush them, Or that the wild beast may trample them.

Christian Standard Bible
She forgets that a foot may crush them or that some wild animal may trample them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
She forgets that a foot may crush them or that some wild animal may trample them.

American Standard Version
And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, Or that the wild beast may trample them.

Contemporary English Version
And she doesn't seem to worry that the feet of an animal could crush them all.

English Revised Version
And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may trample them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It forgets that a foot may crush them or a wild animal may trample them.

Good News Translation
She is unaware that a foot may crush them or a wild animal break them.

International Standard Version
but she forgets that a foot might crush them or any wild animal might trample them.

NET Bible
She forgets that a foot might crush them, or that a wild animal might trample them.

New Heart English Bible
and forgets that the foot may crush them, or that the wild animal may trample them.

Webster's Bible Translation
And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
She forgets that a foot may crush them, or a wild animal may trample them.

World English Bible
and forgets that the foot may crush them, or that the wild animal may trample them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And she forgets that a foot may press it, "" And a beast of the field treads it down.

Young's Literal Translation
And she forgetteth that a foot may press it, And a beast of the field tread it down.

Smith's Literal Translation
And she will forget that the foot will press it, and the beast of the field will crush it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
She forgetteth that the foot may tread upon them, or that the beasts of the field may break them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
She forgets that feet may trample them, or that the beasts of the field may shatter them.

New American Bible
She forgets that a foot may crush them, that the wild beasts may trample them;

New Revised Standard Version
forgetting that a foot may crush them, and that a wild animal may trample them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And because she has the feet of a bird, forgets that the wild beast may trample them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And she has forgotten that she has the foot of a bird of prey, and the animal of the Earth treads on it
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, Or that the wild beast may trample them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and has forgotten that the foot will scatter them, and the wild beasts of the field trample them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Speaks of His Creation
14For she leaves her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand. 15She forgets that a foot may crush them, or a wild animal may trample them. 16She treats her young harshly, as if not her own, with no concern that her labor was in vain.…

Cross References
Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Luke 12:24
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds!

Psalm 147:9
He provides food for the animals, and for the young ravens when they call.

Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. / And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. / So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Genesis 1:21
So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed according to their kinds, and every winged bird after its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 8:17
Bring out all the living creatures that are with you—birds, livestock, and everything that crawls upon the ground—so that they can spread out over the earth and be fruitful and multiply upon it.”

Psalm 104:17
where the birds build their nests; the stork makes her home in the cypresses.

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

Deuteronomy 22:6-7
If you come across a bird’s nest with chicks or eggs, either in a tree or on the ground along the road, and the mother is sitting on the chicks or eggs, you must not take the mother along with the young. / You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.

Proverbs 27:8
Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.

Jeremiah 8:7
Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons. The turtledove, the swift, and the thrush keep their time of migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the LORD.

Hosea 7:11
So Ephraim has become like a silly, senseless dove—calling out to Egypt, then turning to Assyria.

Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Isaiah 31:5
Like birds hovering overhead, so the LORD of Hosts will protect Jerusalem. He will shield it and deliver it; He will pass over it and preserve it.”


Treasury of Scripture

And forgets that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.

Jump to Previous
Animal Beast Beasts Break Broken Crush Crushed Field Foot Forgets Forgetteth Forgetting Press Thought Trample Tread Unmindful Wild
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Animal Beast Beasts Break Broken Crush Crushed Field Foot Forgets Forgetteth Forgetting Press Thought Trample Tread Unmindful Wild
Job 39
1. Of the wild goats and hinds
5. Of the wild donkey
9. The unicorn
13. The peacock, stork, and ostrich
19. The horse
26. The hawk
27. The eagle














She forgets that a foot may crush them
In this passage, the focus is on the ostrich, a bird known for its seemingly careless behavior towards its eggs. The phrase highlights the ostrich's lack of concern for the safety of its offspring, which can be seen as a metaphor for human folly or neglect. In the broader context of Job, God is speaking to Job about the wonders of creation, emphasizing His wisdom and sovereignty. The ostrich's behavior contrasts with human expectations of parental care, illustrating that God's creation operates under His wisdom, which may not always align with human understanding. This can be connected to Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages trust in God's wisdom over human understanding.

or a wild animal may trample them
This part of the verse continues the theme of vulnerability and the potential dangers faced by the ostrich's eggs. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wild animals were a constant threat to both humans and animals. The imagery of trampling suggests a lack of protection and the harsh realities of the natural world. This can be seen as a reflection of the unpredictability of life and the need for reliance on God's protection and provision. The mention of wild animals can also be linked to the broader biblical theme of creation groaning under the curse of sin, as seen in Romans 8:22, where the whole creation is described as groaning in anticipation of redemption.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man of great faith and patience, who undergoes severe trials and suffering. The book of Job is a dialogue about the nature of suffering and God's sovereignty.

2. God
The speaker in this passage, who is responding to Job. God is illustrating His wisdom and power through the natural world.

3. Ostrich
The animal being described in this verse. Known for its lack of wisdom in caring for its young, the ostrich serves as an example in God's discourse to Job.

4. Wilderness
The natural setting where the ostrich lives, symbolizing the untamed and often harsh realities of life.

5. Wild Animals
Representing the dangers present in the natural world, which the ostrich seems oblivious to.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Creation
The passage highlights God's control and understanding of all creation, even in aspects that seem foolish or careless to human eyes.

Human Limitations
Like the ostrich, humans often lack understanding of God's greater plan. We must trust in His wisdom beyond our comprehension.

Trust in God's Provision
Despite the ostrich's neglect, life continues. This can remind us to trust in God's provision and care, even when circumstances seem precarious.

Awareness of Spiritual Dangers
Just as the ostrich is unaware of physical dangers, we must be vigilant against spiritual dangers that can threaten our faith.

Humility Before God
Recognizing our limitations should lead us to humility and reliance on God's wisdom and guidance.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Job 39:15?

2. How does Job 39:15 illustrate God's wisdom in creation and animal behavior?

3. What can we learn about God's sovereignty from Job 39:15?

4. How does Job 39:15 connect to Matthew 6:26 about God's provision?

5. How should Job 39:15 influence our trust in God's care for us?

6. What practical steps can we take to trust God's wisdom as seen in Job 39:15?

7. How does Job 39:15 reflect God's wisdom in creation?

8. What is the significance of the ostrich in Job 39:15?

9. How does Job 39:15 challenge human understanding of divine purpose?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 39?

11. Does the representation of these animals in Job 39 conflict with other biblical accounts of creation or does it harmonize with the broader biblical narrative?

12. In Job 39:13–17, the ostrich is depicted as neglecting her eggs; does modern scientific observation contradict this portrayal?

13. Psalm 121:3 - How can we reconcile 'He will not let your foot be moved' with the reality of suffering and hardship in life?

14. What does the Bible mention about unicorns?
What Does Job 39:15 Mean
She forgets

“ She forgets that a foot may crush them…” (Job 39:15)

• God has just described the ostrich laying her eggs in the sand (Job 39:13-14). In His own words, she then “forgets.”

• The point is not memory loss but utter indifference. The ostrich shows no anxiety for the future of her offspring; she simply walks away.

• God draws a sharp contrast between His perfect wisdom and the limited instinct of His creatures. Where humans fret over provision, He points to the bird that “does not sow or reap… yet your heavenly Father feeds them” (Matthew 6:26).

• Scripture often highlights forgetfulness as reckless (Proverbs 27:12), but here it underlines the different design God has granted to various creatures (Job 39:17).

Cross references woven in: Job 39:13-17; Isaiah 1:3 (animals that do remember their owner); Matthew 6:26.


that a foot may crush them

“…that a foot may crush them…” (Job 39:15)

• Eggs lying exposed on a path can be stepped on by humans, livestock, or even the ostrich herself.

• The imagery illustrates vulnerability—life resting on sand, one careless step away from destruction.

• Scripture frequently uses crushed underfoot to picture fragility (Lamentations 3:34-36) and judgment (Luke 8:5).

• Yet the scene also showcases God’s sustaining hand: in spite of such odds, ostriches survive and flourish because “the earth is full of the LORD’s loving devotion” (Psalm 33:5).

Cross references woven in: Lamentations 3:34-36; Psalm 33:5; Luke 8:5.


or a wild animal may trample them

“…or a wild animal may trample them.” (Job 39:15)

• Beyond accidental crushing, predators and large beasts pose an intentional threat.

• The word picture broadens the risk, reminding us that creation groans under violence (Romans 8:20-22).

• Even here, God rules. He feeds lions (Job 38:39-41) and orchestrates every creature’s lifecycle (Psalm 104:21-24).

• The ostrich’s seeming negligence magnifies God’s providence: He preserves life where no maternal care exists.

Cross references woven in: Job 38:39-41; Psalm 104:21-24; Romans 8:20-22.


summary

Job 39:15 affirms God’s unmatched wisdom by spotlighting the ostrich’s apparent folly. She lays her eggs, forgets the danger of crushing feet and trampling beasts, yet her species endures. The verse is not primarily about the bird’s behavior but about the Creator’s sovereign oversight: even when a creature shows no care, the Lord cares. The passage calls us to trust the God who sustains fragile life in a harsh world—if He watches over unguarded eggs in the sand, He can certainly watch over us.

Verse 15. - And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. Where the eggs are covered by a layer of sand a foot thick, this danger is not incurred. But when the eggs are numerous - and they are sometimes as many as thirty - they are apt to be very poorly covered, and the results follow which are described in the text.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
She forgets
וַ֭תִּשְׁכַּח (wat·tiš·kaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7911: To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention

that
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

a foot
רֶ֣גֶל (re·ḡel)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

may crush them,
תְּזוּרֶ֑הָ (tə·zū·re·hā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2115: To press together, tighten

or a wild
הַשָּׂדֶ֣ה (haś·śā·ḏeh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

animal
וְחַיַּ֖ת (wə·ḥay·yaṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

may trample them.
תְּדוּשֶֽׁהָ׃ (tə·ḏū·še·hā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1758: To trample, thresh


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OT Poetry: Job 39:15 And forgets that the foot may crush (Jb)
Job 39:14
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