Job 39:26

Job 39:26

Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?

a. NLT: “Is it your wisdom that makes the hawk soar and spread its wings toward the south?

b. NIV: “Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread its wings toward the south?

c. YLT:  By thine understanding flieth a hawk? Spreadeth he his wings to the south?

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Is it by your wisdom [Job] that the hawk soars and stretches her wings toward the south [as winter approaches]?

e. Septuagint: And does the hawk remain steady by thy wisdom, having spread out her wings unmoved, looking toward the region of the south? 

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: Is it by your wisdom that the hawk hovers, spreads its wings toward the south?

1. “Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom…”

a. doth the hawk [5322 * nets] [Strong: from 5340; a flower (from its brilliancy); also a hawk (from it flashing speed); --blossom, hawk.]

b. fly [82 * 'abar] [Strong: a primitive root; to soar:--fly.]

c. by thy wisdom [998 * biynah] [Strong: from 995; understanding:--knowledge, meaning, X perfectly, understanding, wisdom.]

1). Because the hawk or any fowl of the air flies by the wisdom of God, then that means all the ability the bird has that enables it to do so is the wisdom of God. Including the design of its wings and the ability of the hawk to utilize all comes from God. The animal, in this case was designed and created to fly. It is therefore the same will any other creature created by God on this earth, all of their abilities to do whatever they utilize whether its some sort of deception, speed, camouflage, even its ability to nurse and protect its young, it is all included in the wisdom of God.

2. “…and stretch her wings toward the south?”

a. and stretch [6566 * paras] [Strong: a primitive root; to break apart, disperse, etc.:--break, chop in pieces, lay open, scatter, spread (abroad, forth, selves, out), stretch (forth, out).]

b. her wings [3671 * kanaph] [Strong: from 3670; an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bed-clothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinnacle:--+ bird, border, corner, end, feather(-ed), X flying, + (one an-)other, overspreading, X quarters, skirt, X sort, uttermost part, wing((-ed)).]

c. toward the south [8486 * teyman; or teman] [Strong: denominative from 3225; the south (as being on the right hand of a person facing the east):--south (side, -ward, wind).]

1). Hawks are said to have a vision that is about eight times more acute than humans with good eyesight (as good as 20/2). This is because of many photoreceptors in the retina (Up to 1,000,000 per square mm, against 200,000 for humans), a very high number of nerves connecting the receptors to the brain, a second set of eye muscles not found in other animals, and an indented fovea which magnifies the central part of the visual field. Their acute keen eyesight, muscular legs; powerful, sharp claws and sharply hooked bills are perfect adaptations for hunting, capturing their prey and tearing flesh to a manageable size for eating. These strong hunters catch their prey even during flight - typically using a swift, 'swooping' technique. Some of them attain speeds of over 150 mph particularly during dives. These powerful fliers can soar for long periods. http://www.beautyofbirds.com/hawks.htm