Job 40
Job 40 is part of “The LORD Speaks: Creation's Wonders” (38:1–40:2) in the outline of Job.
Job 40 summary
Many humbling confounding questions God had put to Job, in the foregoing chapter; now, in this chapter, I. He demands an answer to them (Job 40:1, Job 40:2). II. Job submits in a humble silence (Job 40:3-5).
Read the full introduction
Many humbling confounding questions God had put to Job, in the foregoing chapter; now, in this chapter, I. He demands an answer to them (Job 40:1, Job 40:2). II. Job submits in a humble silence (Job 40:3-5). III. God proceeds to reason with him, for his conviction, concerning the infinite distance and disproportion between him and God, showing that he was by no means an equal match for God. He challenges him (Job 40:6, Job 40:7) to vie with him, if he durst, for justice (Job 40:8), power (Job 40:9), majesty (Job 40:10), and dominion over the proud (Job 40:11-14), and he gives an instance of his power in one particular animal, here called "Behemoth," (Job 40:15-24).
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Job 40 (ASV)
American Standard Version (public domain)
The Lord Continues: Will You Condemn Me?
1Moreover Jehovah answered Job, and said, 2Shall he that cavilleth contend with the Almighty? He that argueth with God, let him answer it. 3Then Job answered Jehovah, and said, 4Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer thee? I lay my hand upon my mouth. 5Once have I spoken, and I will not answer; Yea, twice, but I will proceed no further. 6Then Jehovah answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 7Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 8Wilt thou even annul my judgment? Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be justified? 9Or hast thou an arm like God? And canst thou thunder with a voice like him? 10Deck thyself now with excellency and dignity; And array thyself with honor and majesty. 11Pour forth the overflowings of thine anger; And look upon every one that is proud, and abase him. 12Look on every one that is proud, [and] bring him low; And tread down the wicked where they stand. 13Hide them in the dust together; Bind their faces in the hidden [place]. 14Then will I also confess of thee That thine own right hand can save thee.
Behold Behemoth
15Behold now, behemoth, which I made as well as thee; He eateth grass as an ox. 16Lo now, his strength is in his loins, And his force is in the muscles of his belly. 17He moveth his tail like a cedar: The sinews of his thighs are knit together. 18His bones are [as] tubes of brass; His limbs are like bars of iron. 19He is the chief of the ways of God: He [only] that made him giveth him his sword. 20Surely the mountains bring him forth food, Where all the beasts of the field do play. 21He lieth under the lotus-trees, In the covert of the reed, and the fen. 22The lotus-trees cover him with their shade; The willows of the brook compass him about. 23Behold, if a river overflow, he trembleth not; He is confident, though a Jordan swell even to his mouth. 24Shall any take him when he is on the watch, Or pierce through his nose with a snare?