Read Job chapter 41 online with LogosAI Bible study tools, highlights, and cross references.
Job 41 is part of “The LORD Speaks: Behemoth and Leviathan” (40:6–41:34) in the outline of Job.
Job 41 summary
The description here given of the leviathan, a very large, strong, formidable fish, or water-animal, is designed yet further to convince Job of his own impotency, and of God's omnipotence, that he might be humbled for his folly in making so bold with him as he had done. I. To convince Job of his own weakness he is here challenged to subdue and tame this leviathan if he can, and make himself master of him (Job 41:1-9), and, since he cannot do this, he must own himself utterly unable to stand before the great God (Job 41:10). II. To convince Job of God's power and terrible majesty several particular instances are here given of the strength and terror of the leviathan, which is no more than what God has given him, nor more than he has under his check, (Job 41:11, Job 41:12). The face of the leviathan is here described to be terrible (Job 41:12, Job 41:14), his scales close (Job 41:15-17), his breath and neesings sparkling (Job 41:18-21), his flesh firm (Job 41:22-24), his strength and spirit, when he is attacked, insuperable (Job 41:25-30), his motions turbulent, and disturbing to the waters (Job 41:31, Job 41:32), so that, upon the whole, he is a very terrible creature, and man is no match for him (Job 41:33, Job 41:34).
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).
1 None is so fearce that dare stirre him vp. Who is he then that can stand before me?
2 Who hath preuented mee that I shoulde make an ende? Al vnder heauen is mine.
3 I will not keepe silence concerning his partes, nor his power nor his comely proportion.
4 Who can discouer the face of his garmet? or who shall come to him with a double bridle?
5 Who shall open the doores of his face? his teeth are fearefull round about.
6 The maiestie of his scales is like strog shields, and are sure sealed.
7 One is set to another, that no winde can come betweene them.
8 One is ioyned to another: they sticke together, that they cannot be sundered.
9 His niesings make the light to shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.
10 Out of his mouth go lampes, and sparkes of fire leape out.
11 Out of his nostrels commeth out smoke, as out of a boyling pot or caldron.
12 His breath maketh the coales burne: for a flame goeth out of his mouth.
13 In his necke remayneth strength, and labour is reiected before his face.
14 The members of his bodie are ioyned: they are strong in themselues, and cannot be mooued.
15 His heart is as strong as a stone, and as hard as the nether milstone.
16 The mightie are afrayd of his maiestie, and for feare they faint in themselues.
17 When the sword doeth touch him, he will not rise vp, nor for the speare, dart nor habergeon.
18 He esteemeth yron as strawe, and brasse as rotten wood.
19 The archer canot make him flee: ye stones of the sling are turned into stubble vnto him:
20 The dartes are counted as strawe: and hee laugheth at the shaking of the speare.
21 Sharpe stones are vnder him, and he spreadeth sharpe things vpon the myre.
22 He maketh the depth to boyle like a pot, and maketh the sea like a pot of oyntment.
23 He maketh a path to shine after him: one would thinke the depth as an hoare head.
24 In the earth there is none like him: hee is made without feare.
25 He beholdeth al hie things: he is a King ouer all the children of pride.