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Job41

English Standard Version

1Can you with a or his with a ?

2Can you a in his or his with a ?

3Will he make to you? he to you words?

4Will he a with you to him for your ?

5Will you with him as with a , or will you put him on a for your ?

6Will him? Will they divide him the ?

7Can you his with or his with ?

8 your him; the —you will do it !

9 , the of a man is ; he is even at the of him.

10No is so he dares to . then is he who can me?

11 has to me, that I should him? Whatever is the is mine.

12I will concerning his , his , or his .

13Who can his ? would near him with a ?

14 can the of his ? his is .

15His is made of of , as with a .

16 is so to that can them.

17They are to ; they each other and be .

18His , and his are like the of the .

19 of his ; of .

20 of his comes , as from a and .

21His , and a comes his .

22In his , and him.

23The of his , firmly him and .

24His is as a , as the .

25When he himself up the are ; at the they are themselves.

26Though the him, it does , nor the , the , or the .

27He as , and as .

28The make him ; for him are to .

29 are as ; he at the of .

30His are like ; he himself like a the .

31He the like a ; he the like a pot of .

32 him he leaves a ; one would the to be .

33 there is his , a .

34He that is ; he is the of .

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Job 41.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Concerning Leviathan. (1-34).

vv1-34

—The description of the Leviathan, is yet further to convince Job of his own weakness, and of God's almighty power. Whether this Leviathan be a whale or a crocodile, is disputed. The Lord, having showed Job how unable he was to deal with the Leviathan, sets forth his own power in that mighty creature. If such language describes the terrible force of Leviathan, what words can express the power of God's wrath? Under a humbling sense of our own vileness, let us revere the Divine Majesty; take and fill our allotted place, cease from our own wisdom, and give all glory to our gracious God and Saviour. Remembering from whom every good gift cometh, and for what end it was given, let us walk humbly with the Lord.

Key Words

draw outH4900Hebrew

מָשַׁךְ: to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)

LeviathanH3882Hebrew

לִוְיָתָן: a wreathed animal, i.e. a serpent (especially the crocodile or some other large sea-monster); figuratively, the constellation of the dragon; also as a symbol of Babylon

fishhookH2443Hebrew

חַכָּה: a hook (as adhering)

press downH8257Hebrew

שָׁקַע: to subside; by implication, to be overflowed, cease; causatively, to abate, subdue

tongueH3956Hebrew

לָשׁוֹן: the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water)

cordH2256Hebrew

חֶבֶל: a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or inheritance (as measured); or a noose (as of cords); figuratively, a company (as if tied together); also a throe (especially of parturition); also ruin

putH7760Hebrew

שׂוּם: to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

ropeH100Hebrew

אַגְמוֹן: a bulrush (as growing there); collectively a rope of bulrushes

noseH639Hebrew

אַף: properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

pierceH5344Hebrew

נָקַב: to puncture, literally (to perforate, with more or less violence) or figuratively (to specify, designate, libel)

Cross References

Job 41
v11Romans 11:35thematic

Paul echoes this verse to show God is under obligation to no man for his sovereign gifts.

Supported by JFB

v1Psalms 104:26thematic

Explicit biblical mention of Leviathan playing in the deep, showing God's creative design.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Psalms 74:14thematic

Identifies Leviathan as a symbol/type of oppressive worldly powers (like Egypt's Pharaoh) crushed by God.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Isaiah 27:1thematic

Leviathan depicted as the piercing, crooked serpent that the Lord will punish with His sore sword.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Ezekiel 29:4thematic

Prophetic imagery of putting hooks in the jaws of the great river monster (Pharaoh/Egypt).

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v2Isaiah 37:29thematic

God puts His hook in Sennacherib's nose, treating a proud king like a subdued beast.

Supported by JFB

v34Ezekiel 29:3thematic

Pharaoh is compared to the great dragon (crocodile) in the rivers, embodying pride and sovereignty.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Job 3:8thematic

Refers to those skilled in mourning who are ready to rouse up Leviathan.

Supported by JFB

v10Genesis 49:9thematic

Parallel warning against rousing a fierce, sleeping beast (a lion), illustrating the danger of Leviathan.

Supported by JFB

v11Exodus 19:5thematic

Affirms God's absolute ownership of the whole earth, establishing His sovereign authority over creation.

Supported by JFB

v19Psalms 18:8thematic

Poetic imagery of smoke and consuming fire from the nostrils/mouth of God in His wrath.

Supported by JFB

The law of taking a servant 'for ever', contrasting with Leviathan's absolute untamability.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v5Job 39:10thematic

Similar rhetorical question about binding a wild beast (the unicorn) to serve human purposes.

Supported by JFB

v3Proverbs 18:23contrast

The poor use entreaties, but the mighty beast will never make soft supplications.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v10Psalms 2:11thematic

If a mere creature cannot be opposed, how much more must men serve God with fear.

Supported by JFB

v33Job 40:19thematic

Compares Leviathan's unique supremacy to Behemoth as the chief of the ways of God.

Supported by JFB