And the wild asses did stand in the high places,.... To see where any grass was to be had, or where the wind blows more freely and cooly, to draw it in; as follows. The Targum renders it, "by the brooks"; and so Jarchi interprets it brooks of water; whither they came as usual to drink, and found them now dried up; and where they stood distressed and languishing, not knowing where to go for any:they snuffed up the wind like dragons: which, being of a hot nature, open their mouths, and draw in the wind and air to cool them.
Aelianus reports of the dragons in Phrygia, that they open their mouths, and not only draw in the air, but even birds flying. The word used for dragons signifies large fishes, great whales; and some understand it of crocodiles, who will lift up their heads above water to refresh themselves with the air:their eyes did fail; in looking about for grass; or for want of food, being quite starved and famished:because there was no grass; for their food and nourishment.