King James Version
What Does Job 41:34 Mean?
“He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.”
Job 41:34 · KJV
Context
32
He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
33
Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear. is made without fear: or, behave themselves without fear
34
He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryGod'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 sovereignty over the proud. The 'children of pride' can refer both to other proud creatures and to proud humans. This verse reveals pride's ultimate futility—even the most arrogant humans are subjects of Leviathan, who represents forces beyond human control. Yet the passage's purpose is to reveal that God controls even Leviathan. Therefore, human pride is doubly foolish: we're inferior to Leviathan, who is inferior to God. The verse culminates God's answer to Job: cease from pride, acknowledge your position, and trust divine governance. It anticipates James 4:6, 'God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.'
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
In ancient Near Eastern thought, chaos monsters represented the forces of disorder that gods battled to establish cosmic order. God's description of Leviathan as king over the proud establishes a hierarchy: proud humans are subject to chaos, which is subject to God. This refutes pagan theology where gods and chaos struggle as equals, affirming instead God's absolute sovereignty.
Reflection Questions
- What areas of pride in your life make you a 'child of pride' subject to destructive forces beyond your control?
- How does recognizing both your limitations and God's sovereignty produce the humility God desires?
- In what specific ways is God calling you to repent of pride and trust His governance as Job finally does in chapter 42?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 10 wordsאֵֽת1 of 10
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל2 of 10
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִרְאֶ֑ה4 of 10
“He beholdeth”
H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
ה֝֗וּא5 of 10
H1931he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
עַל7 of 10
H5921above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל8 of 10
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּנֵי9 of 10
“over all the children”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
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 41:34 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 41:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge