What does Job 39:22 mean?
"He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword." - Job 39:22

Job 39:22 - "He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword."
Job 39:22 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword." This verse is part of a longer passage in the book of Job, in which God is speaking to Job and demonstrating His power and wisdom through the marvels of the natural world.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its meaning and significance. Job is a wealthy and righteous man who suffers a series of unimaginable tragedies, losing his wealth, health, and family. He is in deep despair and questions why he is suffering so greatly despite his righteousness. Job's friends come to comfort him, but instead they argue that his suffering must be punishment for his sins. Job, however, maintains his innocence and demands an audience with God to plead his case.
God eventually appears to Job in a whirlwind and challenges him to explain the complexities of the natural world. This is where we find the verse in question, as part of the passage where God describes the behavior of a horse, emphasizing its strength, fearlessness, and inability to be controlled by humans. The broader theme of this section is to teach Job that God's ways are inscrutable and beyond human understanding. The imagery of the wild, untamed horse serves as a metaphor for God's power and sovereignty over creation.
In verse 22 specifically, the emphasis is on the horse's fearlessness in the face of danger. The horse "mocketh at fear" and is not afraid of anything, even the threat of the sword. This fearless demeanor is a reflection of the horse's strength and instinct, and it serves as an illustration of God's own power and fearlessness.
This verse has several layers of symbolism and meaning. On a literal level, it describes the behavior of a horse, highlighting its bravery and resilience. But in the broader context of the book of Job, this description serves as a reminder of God's ultimate control over the natural world and the limitations of human understanding. The horse's fearlessness in the face of danger is a reflection of God's sovereignty and the inadequacy of human efforts to comprehend or control God's ways.
Furthermore, the imagery of the horse can also be seen as a metaphor for the righteous. Throughout the Bible, horses are used as symbols of strength, power, and war. In this context, the fearless horse can be seen as a representation of those who trust in God and remain steadfast in the midst of adversity. Just as the horse does not turn back from the sword, the righteous do not waver in their faith and courage in the face of trials and tribulations.
The themes of fearlessness and faith in the midst of adversity are particularly poignant in the larger narrative of the book of Job. Job himself exemplifies this type of unwavering faith, despite his overwhelming suffering and confusion. The passage in which this verse appears serves as a powerful reminder of the sovereignty of God and the resilience of the righteous in the face of the unknown and the uncontrollable.
In conclusion, Job 39:22 is a powerful and evocative verse that conveys a deep sense of awe and wonder at the majesty of God's creation. It reminds us of the limitations of human understanding and the need for humility in the face of God's inscrutable ways. The imagery of the fearless horse serves as a potent symbol of God's sovereignty and the unwavering courage of the righteous. It is a verse that challenges us to trust in God's power and to remain steadfast in our faith, even in the midst of adversity and uncertainty.
Job 39:22 Artwork

Job 39:22 - "He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword."

Matthew 22:37-39

Job 39:23 - "The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield."

Job 39:9 - "Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?"

Job 39:14 - "Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,"

Job 38:39 - "Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,"

Job 1:22 - "In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."

Job 39:3 - "They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows."

Job 39:28 - "She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place."

Job 39:7 - "He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver."

Job 39:8 - "The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing."

Job 39:24 - "He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet."

Job 39:13 - "Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?"

Job 39:15 - "And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them."

Numbers 22:39 - "And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjath-huzoth."

Job 39:26 - "Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?"

Job 39:29 - "From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off."

Job 39:20 - "Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible."

Job 39:27 - "Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?"

Job 39:6 - "Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings."

Exodus 39:22 - "¶ And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue."

Job 39:19 - "Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?"

Job 39:21 - "He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men."

Job 39:19-25 – "Do you give the horse its strength or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?"

Job 39:2 - "Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?"

Job 39:18 - "What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider."

Job 39:10 - "Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?"

Job 39:17 - "Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding."

Job 39:12 - "Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?"

Job 39:4 - "Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them."