Job 39:22
New International Version
It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; it does not shy away from the sword.

New Living Translation
It laughs at fear and is unafraid. It does not run from the sword.

English Standard Version
He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; he does not turn back from the sword.

Berean Standard Bible
He laughs at fear, frightened of nothing; he does not turn back from the sword.

King James Bible
He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.

New King James Version
He mocks at fear, and is not frightened; Nor does he turn back from the sword.

New American Standard Bible
“He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; And he does not turn back from the sword.

NASB 1995
“He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; And he does not turn back from the sword.

NASB 1977
“He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; And he does not turn back from the sword.

Legacy Standard Bible
He laughs at dread and is not dismayed; And he does not turn back from the sword.

Amplified Bible
“He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; And [in battle] he does not turn back from the sword.

Christian Standard Bible
He laughs at fear, since he is afraid of nothing; he does not run from the sword.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He laughs at fear, since he is afraid of nothing; he does not run from the sword.

American Standard Version
He mocketh at fear, and is not dismayed; Neither turneth he back from the sword.

Contemporary English Version
Laughing at fear, they rush toward the fighting,

English Revised Version
He mocketh at fear, and is not dismayed; neither turneth he back from the sword.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It laughs at fear, is afraid of nothing, and doesn't back away from swords.

Good News Translation
They do not know the meaning of fear, and no sword can turn them back.

International Standard Version
He scoffs at fear and is never scared; he never retreats from a sword.

Majority Standard Bible
He laughs at fear, frightened of nothing; he does not turn back from the sword.

NET Bible
It laughs at fear and is not dismayed; it does not shy away from the sword.

New Heart English Bible
He mocks at fear, and is not dismayed, neither does he turn back from the sword.

Webster's Bible Translation
He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.

World English Bible
He mocks at fear, and is not dismayed, neither does he turn back from the sword.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
He laughs at fear, and is not frightened, "" And he does not turn back from the face of the sword.

Young's Literal Translation
He laugheth at fear, and is not affrighted, And he turneth not back from the face of the sword.

Smith's Literal Translation
He will laugh at fear, and he will not be dismayed; and he will not turn back from the face of the sword.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He despiseth fear, he turneth not his back to the sword,

Catholic Public Domain Version
He despises fear; he does not turn away from the sword.

New American Bible
He laughs at fear and cannot be terrified; he does not retreat from the sword.

New Revised Standard Version
It laughs at fear, and is not dismayed; it does not turn back from the sword.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He laughs at a pit, and is not frightened; neither does he turn back from the sword.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He laughs at a pit and is not afraid, and he does not turn from the face of the sword
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; Neither turneth he back from the sword.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He laughs to scorn a king as he meets him, and will by no means turn back from the sword.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Speaks of His Creation
21He paws in the valley and rejoices in his strength; he charges into battle. 22He laughs at fear, frightened of nothing; he does not turn back from the sword. 23A quiver rattles at his side, along with a flashing spear and lance.…

Cross References
Psalm 27:1-3
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread? / When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell. / Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.

Proverbs 21:31
A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.

Isaiah 31:1-3
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD. / Yet He too is wise and brings disaster; He does not call back His words. He will rise up against the house of the wicked and against the allies of evildoers. / But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together.

Jeremiah 8:6
I have listened and heard; they do not speak what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, asking, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone has pursued his own course like a horse charging into battle.

Habakkuk 1:8
Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves of the night. Their horsemen charge ahead, and their cavalry comes from afar. They fly like a vulture, swooping down to devour.

Zechariah 10:5
They will be like mighty men in battle, trampling the enemy in the mire of the streets. They will fight because the LORD is with them, and they will put the horsemen to shame.

2 Samuel 22:35
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Psalm 18:34
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Isaiah 5:28
Their arrows are sharpened, and all their bows are strung. The hooves of their horses are like flint; their chariot wheels are like a whirlwind.

Jeremiah 47:3
at the sound of the galloping hooves of stallions, the rumbling of chariots, and the clatter of their wheels. The fathers will not turn back for their sons; their hands will hang limp.

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Revelation 6:2
So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to overcome and conquer.


Treasury of Scripture

He mocks at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turns he back from the sword.

Job 39:16,18
She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear; …

Job 41:33
Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.

Jump to Previous
Affrighted Afraid Arms Dismayed Face Fear Goes Laughs Mocketh Mocks Shy Strength Sword Turn Turneth Turning War
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Affrighted Afraid Arms Dismayed Face Fear Goes Laughs Mocketh Mocks Shy Strength Sword Turn Turneth Turning War
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














He laughs at fear
This phrase suggests a creature or being that is fearless and confident. In the context of Job 39, God is speaking to Job about the wonders of creation, highlighting the strength and majesty of various animals. The creature in question is likely the warhorse, known for its bravery in battle. This imagery is used to demonstrate God's power and wisdom in creation, as He has instilled such fearlessness in His creatures. The warhorse's ability to "laugh at fear" can be seen as a reflection of divine strength and courage, qualities that are also attributed to God Himself throughout Scripture (e.g., Psalm 27:1).

frightened of nothing
This phrase emphasizes the complete absence of fear in the creature. In the ancient Near Eastern context, horses were highly valued for their role in warfare and were bred for their strength and courage. The warhorse's lack of fear is a testament to its training and the natural instincts given by God. This can be compared to the spiritual courage believers are called to have, trusting in God's protection and provision (e.g., 2 Timothy 1:7).

he does not turn back from the sword
This phrase highlights the warhorse's readiness to face danger head-on, even in the midst of battle. Historically, horses were an integral part of military strategy, and their ability to charge into battle without hesitation was crucial. This imagery can be connected to the spiritual armor of God described in Ephesians 6:10-18, where believers are encouraged to stand firm and not retreat in the face of spiritual warfare. The warhorse's unwavering advance can also be seen as a type of Christ, who faced His own "battle" on the cross with determination and without turning back (Luke 9:51).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man of great faith and patience, Job is the central figure in the Book of Job. He undergoes severe trials and suffering, which test his faith and understanding of God's justice.

2. God
The Creator and Sustainer of all things, God is the one speaking in this passage, highlighting His sovereignty and the majesty of His creation.

3. The Warhorse
In this context, the warhorse is a symbol of strength and fearlessness, used by God to illustrate His power and the natural order He has established.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Creation
The description of the warhorse's fearlessness serves as a reminder of God's ultimate control over creation. Just as the horse does not fear the sword, we are called to trust in God's sovereignty over our lives.

Courage in the Face of Fear
The warhorse's laughter at fear can inspire believers to face their own fears with courage, knowing that God equips us with strength and boldness.

Trust Beyond Human Strength
While the warhorse is a symbol of strength, believers are reminded that true security and victory come from trusting in God, not in human or earthly power.

Understanding God's Wisdom
This passage encourages us to reflect on the wisdom and order of God's creation, prompting us to seek understanding and trust in His divine plan.Verse 22. - He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword. "The cavalry of modern times will rush undismayed upon the line of opposing bayonets" (Professor Lee). "We do not believe that a body of infantry ever existed that, with the bayonet alone, unsupported by fire, could have checked the determined charge of good horsemen" (Denison, p. 510).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He laughs
יִשְׂחַ֣ק (yiś·ḥaq)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7832: To laugh, to play

at fear,
לְ֭פַחַד (lə·p̄a·ḥaḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6343: A, alarm

frightened
יֵחָ֑ת (yê·ḥāṯ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2865: To prostrate, to break down, either, by violence, by confusion and fear

of nothing;
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

he does not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

turn back
יָ֝שׁ֗וּב (yā·šūḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

from
מִפְּנֵי־ (mip·pə·nê-)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the sword.
חָֽרֶב׃ (ḥā·reḇ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword


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OT Poetry: Job 39:22 He mocks at fear and is not (Jb)
Job 39:21
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