King James Version
Job 41
34 verses with commentary
God Describes Leviathan
Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? leviathan: That is, a whale or a whirlepoole which: Heb. which thou drownest?
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KJV Study Commentary
God asks: 'Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?' This sea creature (possibly crocodile) cannot be caught with fishing gear. Divine power governs what human technology cannot capture.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**XLI.**
(1) **Leviathan.**—There can be little doubt that by this is meant the crocodile or alligator, whatever may be the true meaning of behemoth.
**Or his tongue . . .**—Some render, “or press down his tongue with a cord”; but the Authorised Version seems preferable.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**22. lay up--**(Psa 119:11).
Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
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KJV Study Commentary
"Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?" God asks if Job can capture Leviathan using fishing methods—hook in nose or thorn through jaw. The Hebrew <em>chach</em> (חָח, "hook/ring") and <em>choach</em> (חוֹחַ, "thorn/hook") suggest futility of human techniques. Leviathan, whether representing crocodile, whale, or symbolic chaos-creature, remains beyond human con...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Hook.**—Or, *cord of rush.*
**A thorn.**—Or, *spike *or *hook.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**23. Built up--**anew, as a restored house.
**thou shalt put away--**rather, "If thou put away" [Michaelis].
Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
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KJV Study Commentary
"Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?" Leviathan won't beg for mercy or negotiate—it cannot be reasoned with or persuaded. The Hebrew <em>tachanun</em> (תַּחֲנוּן, "supplications") and <em>rakot</em> (רַכּוֹת, "soft/gentle words") emphasize impossibility of peaceful resolution. Some forces cannot be diplomatically managed, requiring sovereign power to cont...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
24. Rather, containing the protasis from the last clause of Job 22:23, "If thou regard the glittering metal as dust"; literally, "lay it on on the dust"; to regard it of as little value as the dust on which it lies. The apodosis is at Job 22:25, Then shall the Almighty be, &c. God will take the place of the wealth, in which thou didst formerly trust.
**gold--**rather, "precious" or "glitteri...
Read full commentary →Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
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KJV Study Commentary
"Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?" Leviathan cannot be bound by covenant (<em>berit</em>, בְּרִית) or enslaved as a servant (<em>eved</em>, עֶבֶד). It remains free, untamed, beyond human authority. God designed certain aspects of creation to resist domestication, preserving wildness that demonstrates divine sovereignty. This teaches that not everything ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **A servant for ever.**—The crocodile being probably quite untameable.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
25. Apodosis.
**Yea--**rather, Then shall the Almighty be, &c.
**defence--**rather, as the same Hebrew means in Job 22:24 (see on Job 22:24)--Thy precious metals; God will be to thee in the place of riches.
**plenty of silver--**rather, "And shall be to thee in the place of laboriously-obtained treasures of silver" [Gesenius]. Elegantly implying, it is less labor to find God than the hid...
Read full commentary →Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
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KJV Study Commentary
"Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?" Can Job treat Leviathan as a pet—playing with it or giving it to servants? The absurdity is intentional. The Hebrew <em>tesachaq</em> (תְּשַׂחֶק, "play/sport with") and binding for maidens emphasizes the ridiculous gap between Leviathan's power and human attempts at control. This teaches that some realities demand res...
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**26. lift up ... face, &c.--**repeated from Zophar (Job 11:15).
Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?
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KJV Study Commentary
"Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?" Can fishermen cooperatively catch and sell Leviathan for commercial profit? The Hebrew <em>chaberim</em> (חֲבָרִים, "companions/trading partners") and <em>kenanim</em> (כְּנַעֲנִים, "merchants/traders") suggests business enterprise. Leviathan resists commodification. God created certain things that cannot be bou...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Shall the companions make a banquet of him?**—Or, *Shall the bands of fishermen make traffic of him? *or, *dig a pit for him?*—the former suiting the parallelism better.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
27. (Is 58:9, 14).
**pay thy vows--**which thou hast promised to God in the event of thy prayers being heard: God will give thee occasion to pay the former, by hearing the latter.
Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?
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KJV Study Commentary
"Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?" Conventional weapons—barbed harpoons (<em>sukkot</em>, שֻׂכּוֹת) or fishing spears (<em>tsiltsil dagim</em>, צִלְצַל דָּגִים)—cannot penetrate Leviathan. Human military technology fails against this creature. This demonstrates limits to human power and ingenuity. No weapon crafted by human hands can overcome what God prote...
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**28. light--**success.
Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.
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KJV Study Commentary
God warns about Leviathan: 'Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.' This suggests anyone who tries to fight Leviathan learns immediately not to repeat the attempt. Divine governance extends to creatures humans wisely avoid.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Remember the battle.**—“Bear in mind what thou dost attempt, and thou wilt not do it again.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
29. Rather, When (thy ways; from Job 22:28) are cast down (for a time), thou shalt (soon again have joyful cause to) say, There is lifting up (prosperity returns back to me) [Maurer].
**he--**God.
**humble--**Hebrew, "him that is of low eyes." Eliphaz implies that Job is not so now in his affliction; therefore it continues: with this he contrasts the blessed effect of being humble under it (Ja...
Read full commentary →Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
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KJV Study Commentary
"Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?" Merely seeing Leviathan crushes hope of overcoming it. The Hebrew <em>tohalto</em> (תֹּחַלְתּוֹ, "his hope") proves <em>nikhzavah</em> (נִכְזָבָה, "deceptive/disappointing"). Visual encounter alone defeats human confidence. This teaches that some realities are so overwhelming that recognition of our inadequa...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Behold the hope of him is in vain**—*i.e.*, the hope of the rash man who would venture to attack him: at the sight of him, *i.e., *the infuriated crocodile.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**30. island--**that is, "dwelling." But the Hebrew expresses the negative (1Sa 4:21); translate "Thus He (God) shall deliver him who was not guiltless," namely, one, who like Job himself on conversion shall be saved, but not because he was, as Job so constantly affirms of himself, guiltless, but because he humbles himself (Job 22:29); an oblique attack on Job, even to the last.
**and it--**Rath...
Read full commentary →None is so fierce that dare stir him up : who then is able to stand before me?
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KJV Study Commentary
God declares: 'None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?' The adjective akzar (אַכְזָר, fierce) means cruel or fierce. The verb ur (עוּר, stir up) means to rouse or awaken. If no human dares provoke Leviathan (likely a crocodile or mythological chaos beast), how much less can anyone stand before God who created Leviathan? The rhetorical question mi efo lefanay y...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **None is so fierce that dare stir him up.**—“If, therefore, the creatures of My hand strike so much terror, how far more terrible must I be? If thou canst not save thyself from them, how much less canst thou be saved without Me?” (See Job 40:14.) The first clause may be understood thus: “He is not so cruel (the common meaning of the word rendered *fierce*)—*i.e., *to himself—that he should v...
Read full commentary →Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.
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KJV Study Commentary
God asks: 'Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.' The verb qadam (קָדַם, prevented) means to meet, confront, or anticipate—'who has given to me first that I should repay him?' The rhetorical question establishes that God owes nothing to anyone; all creation belongs to Him. The phrase tachat kol-hashamayim li-hu (תַּחַת כָּל־הַשָּׁמַיִם לִי־הו...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Who hath prevented me?**—It is manifest that this appeal would come more appropriately at the end of the following detailed description than, as it does here, just before it. “Who hath prevented me,” &c., of course means, *Who hath first given to me, that I should repay him?*
I will not conceal his parts, nor his power , nor his comely proportion.
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KJV Study Commentary
"I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion." God promises detailed description of Leviathan—its parts (<em>badav</em>, בַּדָּיו), power (<em>gevurotav</em>, גְּבוּרֹתָיו), and proportions (<em>chein erkho</em>, חִין עֶרְכּוֹ, "grace of arrangement"). Even in describing forces beyond human control, God reveals His creative excellence. Leviathan's terrifying power comes ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 23
THIRD SERIES.
Job 23:1-17. Job's Answer.
**2. to-day--**implying, perhaps, that the debate was carried on through more days than one (see Introduction).
**bitter--**(Job 7:11; 10:1).
**my stroke--**the hand of God on me (Margin, Job 19:21; Psa 32:4).
**heavier than--**is so heavy that I cannot relieve myself adequately by groaning.
Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle? with: or, within
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KJV Study Commentary
"Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle?" Leviathan's outer covering (<em>pney levusho</em>, פְּנֵי לְבוּשׁוֹ, "face of his garment"—likely scales or hide) cannot be stripped. Double bridle (<em>resen kephel</em>, רֶסֶן כֶּפֶל) suggests futility of controlling it like a horse. Every attempt at mastery fails. This teaches that God designed certain cr...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **Who can discover . . .** ?—Rather, *Who can strip off his outer garment? i.e., *his scales, which are the covering of his skin. *Who shall come within his double bridle, i.e., *the doubling of his jaw? Who would venture a limb within his jaws? This seems to be the meaning, rather than “Who shall come to him with his double bridle,” forsooth to take him therewith?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
3. The same wish as in Job 13:3 (compare He 10:19-22).
**Seat--**The idea in the Hebrew is a well-prepared throne (Psa 9:7).
Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.
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KJV Study Commentary
"Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about." Leviathan's jaws ("doors of his face") and terrifying teeth (<em>emah</em>, אֵימָה, "terror/dread") emphasize deadly danger. Opening its mouth would be fatal. This demonstrates that intimate encounter with overwhelming power destroys the presumptuous. This teaches that some aspects of divine sovereignty and natural power mus...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **Who can open the doors of his face?***—i.e., *his mouth. Round about his teeth is terror.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. order--**state methodically (Job 13:18; Is 43:26).
**fill, &c.--**I would have abundance of arguments to adduce.
His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal. scales: Heb. strong pieces of shields
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KJV Study Commentary
"His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal." Leviathan's scales (<em>aphiqey maginav</em>, אֲפִיקֵי מָגִנָּיו, "channels of his shields") form impenetrable armor, sealed tightly. The Hebrew <em>gaavah</em> (גַּאֲוָה, "pride/majesty") suggests both defensive strength and God-given glory. Even in describing protective features, God reveals His craftsmanship. This teaches that d...
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**5. he--**emphatic: it little matters what man may say of me, if only I know what God judges of me.
One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.
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KJV Study Commentary
God's description of Leviathan's scales emphasizes their impenetrable nature. 'One is so near to another' (echad be-echad yiggash, אֶחָד בְּאֶחָד יִגַּשׁ) describes the tight joining of scales, while 'no air can come between them' (ve-ruach lo-yabo, וְרוּחַ לֹא־יָבֹא) emphasizes absolute seal—not even wind penetrates. The Hebrew 'ruach' (רוּחַ) means both wind and spirit, suggesting nothing materi...
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6. An objection suggests itself, while he utters the wish (Job 23:5). Do I hereby wish that He should plead against me with His omnipotence? Far from it! (Job 9:19, 34; 13:21; 30:18).
**strength--**so as to prevail with Him: as in Jacob's case (Ho 12:3, 4). Umbreit and Maurer better translate as in Job 4:20 (I only wish that He) "would attend to me," that is, give me a patient hearing as an ordi...
Read full commentary →They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.
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KJV Study Commentary
The description of Leviathan's armor intensifies: 'They are joined one to another' (ish be-achihu yedubbaqu, אִישׁ בְּאָחִיהוּ יְדֻבָּקוּ) uses vocabulary suggesting intimate adhesion or welding together. 'Stick together, that they cannot be sundered' (yitlakadu ve-lo yitparadu, יִתְלַכְּדוּ וְלֹא יִתְפָּרָדוּ) emphasizes permanent, unbreakable bonding. The verb 'sundered' (parad, פָּרַד) means to...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**7. There--**rather, "Then": if God would "attend" to me (Job 23:6).
**righteous--**that is, the result of my dispute would be, He would acknowledge me as righteous.
**delivered--**from suspicion of guilt on the part of my Judge.
By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.
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KJV Study Commentary
"By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning." Leviathan's sneezing produces light (possibly spray in sunlight), and eyes resemble dawn. The poetic description emphasizes glory even in this fearsome creature. God designs beauty alongside power. This teaches that divine creation integrates aesthetics with function—even the terrifying displays artistry. Nothi...
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(18) **By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning**—*i.e., *fiery red and glowing.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8. But I wish in vain. For "behold," &c.
**forward ... backward--**rather, "to the east--to the west." The Hebrew geographers faced the east, that is, sunrise: not the north, as we do. So "before" means east: "behind," west (so the Hindus). Para, "before"--east: Apara, "behind"--west: Daschina, "the right hand"--south: Bama, "left"--north. A similar reference to sunrise appears in the name A...
Read full commentary →Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.
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KJV Study Commentary
"Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out." Fire imagery—burning lamps (<em>lapidim</em>, לַפִּידִים) and leaping sparks—may describe breath's appearance or represent symbolic power. Either way, it emphasizes destructive capability. Yet God created this, demonstrating sovereignty over even devastating forces. This teaches that God governs powers that could destroy us, using t...
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9. Rather, "To the north."
**work--**God's glorious works are especially seen towards the north region of the sky by one in the northern hemisphere. The antithesis is between God working and yet not being beheld: as in Job 9:11, between "He goeth by," and "I see Him not." If the Hebrew bears it, the parallelism to the second clause is better suited by translating, as Umbreit, "doth hide himself"...
Read full commentary →Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
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KJV Study Commentary
"Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron." The smoke imagery continues emphasizing power and danger. A "seething pot" (<em>dud naphuach</em>, דּוּד נָפוּחַ) suggests intense heat and violent boiling. Leviathan embodies forces that could overwhelm any human opposition. God's detailed description teaches that He intimately knows even the most dangerous aspects of creatio...
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(20) **Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.**—The last word is uncertain: it is the same as was rendered in the Authorised Version “hook” at Job 41:2; and taking the same sense here, we may render, *as of a seething pot and rushes: i.e., *a pot made hot with rushes.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10. But--**correcting himself for the wish that his cause should be known before God. The omniscient One already knoweth the way in me (my inward principles: His outward way or course of acts is mentioned in Job 23:11. So in me, Job 4:21); though for some inscrutable cause He as yet hides Himself (Job 23:8, 9).
**when--**let Him only but try my cause, I shall, &c.
His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.
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KJV Study Commentary
"His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth." Leviathan's breath ignites coals (<em>gachalim</em>, גֶּחָלִים) and produces flame. The imagery emphasizes destructive power concentrated in its very breath—the most natural, continual action. This teaches that some forces are inherently, constantly dangerous. Their threat doesn't require special provocation. Yet God created and cont...
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**11. held--**fast by His steps. The law is in Old Testament poetry regarded as a way, God going before us as our guide, in whose footsteps we must tread (Psa 17:5).
**declined--**(Psa 125:5).
In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him. is turned into joy: Heb. rejoiceth
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KJV Study Commentary
"In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him." Leviathan's neck contains concentrated strength (<em>oz</em>, עֹז). The phrase "sorrow is turned into joy" likely means terror dances before it—enemies flee in panic. This demonstrates that overwhelming power changes circumstances dramatically—what opposes it becomes its celebration. Spiritually, this anticipates how God's...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(22) **Sorrow is turned into joy before him.**—Literally, *and before him danceth fear, *or *pining sorrow exulteth before him. *A marvellous personification of the terror which goes with him wherever he goes.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12. esteemed--**rather, "laid up," namely, as a treasure found (Mt 13:44; Psa 119:11); alluding to the words of Eliphaz (Job 22:22). There was no need to tell me so; I have done so already (Jr 15:16).
**necessary--**"Appointed portion" (of food; as in Pr 30:8). Umbreit and Maurer translate, "More than my law," my own will, in antithesis to "the words of His mouth" (Joh 6:38). Probably under th...
Read full commentary →The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved. flakes: Heb. fallings
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KJV Study Commentary
"The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved." Leviathan's flesh forms solid, immovable mass. The Hebrew <em>mapeley</em> (מַפְּלֵי, "folds/layers") being <em>yatsuq</em> (יָצוּק, "poured/firm") and <em>bal-yimmot</em> (בַּל־יִמּוֹט, "cannot be moved") emphasizes structural integrity. God designed this creature with perfect cohesion—every part int...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(23) **The flakes of his flesh**—*i.e., *the parts that in other animals hang down: *e.g., *dewlaps, &c., are not flabby, as with them.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13. in one mind--**notwithstanding my innocence, He is unaltered in His purpose of proving me guilty (Job 9:12).
**soul--**His will (Psa 115:3). God's sovereignty. He has one great purpose; nothing is haphazard; everything has its proper place with a view to His purpose.
His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.
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KJV Study Commentary
"His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone." Leviathan's heart—<em>libo</em> (לִבּוֹ)—is hard as stone, specifically the lower millstone (<em>pelek tachtit</em>, פֶּלַח תַּחְתִּית), the hardest part. This emphasizes unyielding nature. Unlike humans whose hearts should be soft toward God, Leviathan's hard heart serves its created purpose—unwavering strength. T...
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(24) **His heart**—*i.e.*, his nature, his disposition. This seems to be the meaning, rather than the physical organ of life.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14. many such--**He has yet many more such ills in store for me, though hidden in His breast (Job 10:13).
When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.
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KJV Study Commentary
"When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves." When Leviathan rises, even mighty warriors (<em>elim</em>, אֵלִים) fear and "purify themselves" (possibly "err/miss the mark" in panic). This demonstrates that human might, however impressive against other humans, becomes nothing before overwhelming power. This teaches humility—human strength is rel...
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(25) **By reason of breakings**—*i.e., *the waves he makes in the water, or the breakings he makes among the plants and trees in the water.
**They purify themselves**—*i.e.*, they are beside themselves; they are so overwhelmed with terror, that they take themselves off, as those who have to dwell apart for uncleanness.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
15. God's decrees, impossible to be resisted, and leaving us in the dark as to what may come next, are calculated to fill the mind with holy awe [Barnes].
The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon. habergeon: or, breastplate
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KJV Study Commentary
"The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon." All weapons—sword (<em>cherev</em>, חֶרֶב), spear (<em>chanit</em>, חֲנִית), dart (<em>masah</em>, מַסָּה), and armor (<em>shiryon</em>, שִׁרְיוֹן)—prove ineffective. Complete invulnerability demonstrates that human military might cannot overcome what God protects. This teaches that ultimate security and vic...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(26) **The sword of him that layeth at him.**—Literally, *As to one approaching him *(to slay him), his sword cannot stand; it will snap in his hand.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. soft--**faint; hath melted my courage. Here again Job's language is that of Jesus Christ (Psa 22:14).
He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.
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KJV Study Commentary
God describes Leviathan's contempt for human weapons. 'Esteemeth iron as straw' (yachshob ke-teben barzel, יַחְשֹׁב כְּתֶבֶן בַּרְזֶל) means it considers the strongest metal as worthless plant matter. 'Brass as rotten wood' (ets riqqabon nechushah, עֵץ רִקָּבוֹן נְחֻשָׁה) compares another durable metal to decayed, useless timber. Both iron and brass/bronze represented the pinnacle of ancient milit...
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17. Because I was not taken away by death from the evil to come (literally, "from before the face of the darkness," Is 57:1). Alluding to the words of Eliphaz (Job 22:11), "darkness," that is, calamity.
**cut off--**rather, in the Arabic sense, brought to the land of silence; my sad complaint hushed in death [Umbreit]. "Darkness" in the second clause, not the same Hebrew word as in the first, "c...
Read full commentary →The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble.
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KJV Study Commentary
God's catalog of ineffective weapons continues. 'The arrow cannot make him flee' (lo-yavrisennu ben-qeshet, לֹא־יַבְרִיחֶנּוּ בֶּן־קֶשֶׁת) states that even projectiles shot from distance cannot drive Leviathan away. 'Slingstones are turned with him into stubble' (avnei-qela, אַבְנֵי־קֶלַע) describes stones from slings becoming like worthless chaff against the creature. Arrows and slings represente...
Read full commentary →Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.
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KJV Study Commentary
The catalog of useless weapons concludes with close combat arms. 'Darts are counted as stubble' (ke-qash nechshevu totach, כְּקַשׁ נֶחְשְׁבוּ תּוֹתָח) describes how Leviathan regards clubs or javelins as mere chaff. 'He laugheth at the shaking of a spear' (yis'chaq le-ra'ash kidon, יִשְׂחַק לְרַעַשׁ כִּידוֹן) depicts the creature's contempt for even the threatening gesture of brandished weapons. T...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(29*)* **Darts.**—Rather, clubs.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 24
Job 24:1-25.
1. Why is it that, seeing that the times of punishment (Eze 30:3; "time" in the same sense) are not hidden from the Almighty, they who know Him (His true worshippers, Job 18:21) do not see His days (of vengeance; Joe 1:15; 2Pe 3:10)? Or, with Umbreit less simply, making the parallel clauses more nicely balanced, Why are not times of punishment hoarded up ("laid up"; Job...
Read full commentary →Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire. Sharp stones: Heb. Sharp pieces of potsherd
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KJV Study Commentary
God describes Leviathan's underside and movement. 'Sharp stones are under him' (tachataiv chaddudei chares, תַּחְתָּיו חַדּוּדֵי־חָרֶשׂ) suggests the creature's belly is covered with sharp, pottery-like projections. 'He spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire' (yirpad charuts alei-tit, יִרְפַּד חָרוּץ עֲלֵי־טִיט) describes how Leviathan leaves impressions like a threshing sledge in mud. A thr...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(30*)* **He spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.**—Some render, “He spreadeth, as it were, a threshing-wain upon the mire.” The statement is, that he not only can lie without inconvenience upon sharp-pointed things, but his own body presents a sharp surface to the mud he lies on.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
2-24. Instances of the wicked doing the worst deeds with seeming impunity (Job 24:2-24).
**Some--**the wicked.
**landmarks--**boundaries between different pastures (De 19:14; Pr 22:28).
He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.
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KJV Study Commentary
God describes Leviathan's effect on water. 'He maketh the deep to boil like a pot' (yartiach ke-sir metsulah, יַרְתִּיחַ כַּסִּיר מְצוּלָה) depicts violent water disturbance from the creature's movement. 'Maketh the sea like a pot of ointment' (yam yasim ka-merqachah, יָם יָשִׂים כַּמֶּרְקָחָה) suggests the water becomes like mixed or churned perfume—roiling, bubbling, transformed. The dual imager...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(31) **The sea**—*i.e.*, not necessarily the salt water, for the Nile is still called the sea by the Arabs, and so with many other large rivers. Example, the “sea-wall” of the Thames below Gravesend.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
2-24. Instances of the wicked doing the worst deeds with seeming impunity (Job 24:2-24).
**Some--**the wicked.
**landmarks--**boundaries between different pastures (De 19:14; Pr 22:28).
He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
God's description of Leviathan's wake concludes His questioning. 'He maketh a path to shine after him' (acharaiv ya'ir natib, אַחֲרָיו יָאִיר נָתִיב) describes the luminous trail left in the creature's wake. 'One would think the deep to be hoary' (yachshob tehom le-seivah, יַחְשֹׁב תְּהוֹם לְשֵׂיבָה) suggests the churned water appears white or gray like an old person's hair. This bioluminescent or...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
2-24. Instances of the wicked doing the worst deeds with seeming impunity (Job 24:2-24).
**Some--**the wicked.
**landmarks--**boundaries between different pastures (De 19:14; Pr 22:28).
Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear. is made without fear: or, behave themselves without fear
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
God declares of Leviathan: 'Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.' This creature has no natural predators, no cause for fear. Yet it too was 'made' - created by God and subject to divine authority.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(33, 34) **Upon earth there is not his like.**—Some have proposed to take away the last two verses of Job 41 from their connection with the crocodile, and to transpose them, referring them to man, so as to come before Job 41:8, understanding them thus: “There is one whose like is not upon earth, who is made without dread. He seeth every high thing, and is king over all the proud beasts. To Him the...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
2-24. Instances of the wicked doing the worst deeds with seeming impunity (Job 24:2-24).
**Some--**the wicked.
**landmarks--**boundaries between different pastures (De 19:14; Pr 22:28).
He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
God's discourse on Leviathan concludes with this devastating summary. 'He beholdeth all high things' (et-kol-gavoha yir'eh, אֵת־כָּל־גָּבֹהַּ יִרְאֶה) means Leviathan looks down on everything lofty or proud—nothing surpasses it in the created order. 'He is a king over all the children of pride' (hu melekh al-kol-benei-shachat, הוּא מֶלֶךְ עַל־כָּל־בְּנֵי־שָׁחַץ) establishes the creature's sovereig...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
2-24. Instances of the wicked doing the worst deeds with seeming impunity (Job 24:2-24).
**Some--**the wicked.
**landmarks--**boundaries between different pastures (De 19:14; Pr 22:28).