King James Version

What Does Job 41:10 Mean?

Job 41:10 in the King James Version says “None is so fierce that dare stir him up : who then is able to stand before me? — study this verse from Job chapter 41 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

None is so fierce that dare stir him up : who then is able to stand before me?

Job 41:10 · KJV


Context

8

Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.

9

Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?

10

None is so fierce that dare stir him up : who then is able to stand before me?

11

Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.

12

I will not conceal his parts, nor his power , nor his comely proportion.


Commentary

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 yityatsav (מִי אֵפוֹא לְפָנַי יִתְיַצָּב, who then is able to stand before me) demands the answer: no one. God's argument moves from creature to Creator—if the created monster is unapproachable, the Creator is infinitely more so.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Leviathan appears in ancient Near Eastern mythology as a chaos monster (cf. Ugaritic Lotan). God's description demonstrates sovereignty over chaos itself—what pagans feared as divine opponent, Yahweh created as mere creature. The theological point addresses Job's demand for legal confrontation with God: if Job cannot face Leviathan, how can he confront Leviathan's Creator? The passage emphasizes divine transcendence while answering Job's longing for encounter—God appears but establishes appropriate Creator-creature relationship.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's sovereignty over chaos monsters like Leviathan address our fears and anxieties?
  2. What does the impossibility of standing before God teach about appropriate reverence and humility?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
לֹֽא1 of 8
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אַ֭כְזָר2 of 8

None is so fierce

H393

violent; by implication deadly; also (in a good sense) brave

כִּ֣י3 of 8
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יְעוּרֶ֑נּוּ4 of 8

that dare stir him up

H5782

to wake (literally or figuratively)

וּמִ֥י5 of 8
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

ה֝֗וּא6 of 8
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לְפָנַ֥י7 of 8

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יִתְיַצָּֽב׃8 of 8

who then is able to stand

H3320

to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 41:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 41:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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