King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Out of his mouth go burning lamps, [and] sparks of fire leap out.
Complete Jewish Bible:
From his mouth go fiery torches, and sparks come flying out.
Berean Standard Bible:
Firebrands stream from his mouth; fiery sparks shoot forth!
American Standard Version:
Out of his mouth go burning torches, And sparks of fire leap forth.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Out of his mouth{H6310} go{H1980} burning lamps{H3940}, and sparks{H3590} of fire{H784} leap out{H4422}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 18:8
- There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Job 41:19
Job 41:19 is part of a larger poetic discourse found in the Book of Job, specifically within a speech delivered by God to Job. This book is one of the Wisdom Literature texts in the Hebrew Bible and is known for its profound exploration of the themes of suffering, justice, and human limitations in understanding the divine.
The verse itself is embedded in a section where God describes a fearsome creature known as Leviathan. In the ancient Near Eastern context, Leviathan is often depicted as a sea monster or dragon, symbolizing chaos and evil. The imagery used in Job 41:19, "Out of his mouth go burning lamps, [and] sparks of fire leap out," vividly portrays the terrifying power and majesty of this creature. The burning lamps and sparks of fire are metaphors for the Leviathan's overwhelming might and the fear it inspires.
Historically, the Book of Job is thought to have been written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), a period when the Israelites were grappling with theodicy—the question of why a just and omnipotent God permits evil and suffering. The description of Leviathan serves to emphasize God's sovereignty over all creation, including the most powerful and mysterious creatures, and to underscore humanity's limited perspective in comprehending divine wisdom and power.
In summary, Job 41:19 reflects the broader themes of the Book of Job, highlighting the unfathomable nature of God's creation and the limits of human understanding. It uses the imagery of a fearsome Leviathan, whose very breath can produce fire, to illustrate the awesomeness of the natural world under God's dominion and to humble the prideful human inclination to question divine justice.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6310
There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פֶּה
Transliteration: peh
Pronunciation: peh
Description: from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to; accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. - Strong's Number: H1980
There are 468 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָלַךְ
Transliteration: hâlak
Pronunciation: haw-lak'
Description: akin to יָלַךְ; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively); (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. - Strong's Number: H3940
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לַפִּיד
Transliteration: lappîyd
Pronunciation: lap-peed'
Description: or לַפִּד; from an unused root probably meaning to shine; a flambeau, lamp or flame; (fire-) brand, (burning) lamp, lightning, torch. - Strong's Number: H3590
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כִידוֹד
Transliteration: kîydôwd
Pronunciation: kee-dode'
Description: from the same as כִּיד (compare כַּדְכֹּד); properly, something struck off, i.e. a spark (as struck); spark. - Strong's Number: H784
There are 549 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵשׁ
Transliteration: ʼêsh
Pronunciation: aysh
Description: a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively); burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. - Strong's Number: H4422
There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָלַט
Transliteration: mâlaṭ
Pronunciation: maw-lat'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth young, emit sparks; deliver (self), escape, lay, leap out, let alone, let go, preserve, save, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] surely.