Original Word: רֶנֶ
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: renen
Pronunciation: reh'-nen
Phonetic Spelling: (reh'-nen)
KJV: X goodly
NASB: ostriches'
Word Origin: [from H7442 (רָנַן - sing for joy)]

1. an ostrich (from its wail)

goodly

From ranan; an ostrich (from its wail) -- X goodly.

see HEBREW ranan

Word Origin
from ranan
Definition
(bird of) piercing cries (i.e. ostrich)
NASB Translation
ostriches' (1).

רְנָנִים noun [masculine] plural bird of piercing cries, i.e. ostrich, according to ᵑ9 Bo Di and most, ׳כְּנַף ר Job 39:13, but read probably יְעֵנִים Hoffm Bu Du (as Lamentations 4:3 Qr), see [ יָעֵן].

Overview

The word rendered as “pinions” or “feathers” in Job 39:13 is a vivid image drawn from the world of birds. Though it appears only once, the term opens a window onto God’s creative artistry, the rhetoric of the divine speeches in Job, and the larger biblical motif of wings as symbols of protection, strength, and joyous praise.

Occurrence in Scripture

• Job 39:13 — “The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but are they the pinions and plumage of a stork?”

Setting within Job 39

In the whirlwind speeches (Job 38–41) God answers Job not with abstract arguments but with a panoramic survey of creation. Job 39 turns from untamed animals (wild goats, donkeys) to the seemingly comical ostrich. By highlighting her awkwardness and contrasting plumage, the Lord exposes Job’s limited understanding of even the most common creatures. The single use of the term magnifies the precision of God’s knowledge and reinforces the main thrust: only the Creator fully comprehends His works.

Imagery of Wings in Scripture

1. Provision and refuge — “He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge” (Psalm 91:4).
2. Protection of covenant people — “I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself” (Exodus 19:4).
3. Worshipful exaltation — Seraphim in Isaiah’s vision have six wings, two of which veil their faces before the Holy One (Isaiah 6:2).
4. Messianic healing — “For you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:2).

Against that backdrop, the comical flapping of the ostrich underscores divine irony: even the least impressive wings serve God’s purpose and declare His wisdom.

Natural History Notes

Ancient observers recognized that the ostrich possesses large, decorative feathers yet cannot fly, whereas the stork’s wings combine beauty with soaring capability. The verse contrasts useless ornamentation with functional flight, teaching that purpose comes from the Creator rather than from outward appearance alone. Such natural theology would have resonated with Job, who lived amid the deserts where ostriches roam.

Theological Insights

• Divine sovereignty — God alone assigns gifts and limitations (Job 39:13–18).
• Humility before mystery — The discrepancy between splendid plumage and flightless reality cautions against judging worth by human standards (1 Corinthians 1:27).
• Joy in diversity — The Creator delights in variety, from soaring eagles to grounded ostriches, and calls His people to the same appreciative wonder (Psalm 104:24).

Christological and Redemptive Foreshadowing

Wings ultimately point to the redemptive shelter found in Christ. He wept over Jerusalem, longing to gather her children “as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings” (Matthew 23:37). The imperfect ostrich foreshadows humanity’s inability to lift itself heavenward; only in union with the resurrected Christ do believers “mount up with wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31).

Practical Application for Ministry

1. Worship: Use Job 39:13 to prompt praise for God’s creative wisdom.
2. Counseling: Remind those discouraged by personal limitations that God assigns differing gifts for His glory (Romans 12:6).
3. Teaching apologetics: Show how a single Hebrew term in an obscure verse testifies to Scripture’s coherence and observational accuracy.
4. Missions: Emphasize that God values every culture and person, just as He values every diverse creature.

Related Passages for Study

Psalm 36:7; Deuteronomy 32:11; Ruth 2:12; Luke 13:34; Revelation 12:14.

Summary

Though it occurs only once, the word translated “pinions” in Job 39:13 draws attention to God’s meticulous craftsmanship and His purposeful distribution of ability and beauty throughout creation. It invites believers to marvel, to trust, and to find refuge under the greater wings of the Almighty.

רְנָנִ֥ים רננים rə·nā·nîm renaNim rənānîmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts