Job41

God continues His discourse with Job, challenging him to capture or control Leviathan, a creature of immense power and untameable nature. He describes Leviathan's impenetrable armor, fiery breath, and invulnerability to human weapons, emphasizing that no earthly power can subdue it. This serves to highlight God's own supreme power and sovereignty, as even this formidable creature is His creation.
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The Untamable Power of Leviathan

1
Canst thou draw out leviathan with a fishhook? Or press down his tongue with a cord? ​
2
Canst thou put a rope into his nose? Or pierce his jaw through with a hook?
3
Will he make many supplications unto thee? Or will he speak soft words unto thee?
4
Will he make a covenant with thee, That thou shouldest take him for a servant for ever? ​
5
Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? Or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
6
Will the bands of fishermen make traffic of him? Will they part him among the merchants?
7
Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons, Or his head with fish-spears?
8
Lay thy hand upon him; Remember the battle, and do so no more. ​
9
Behold, the hope of him is in vain: Will not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
10
None is so fierce that he dare stir him up; Who then is he that can stand before me? ​
11
Who hath first given unto me, that I should repay him? Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine. ​

Leviathan's Formidable Structure

12
I will not keep silence concerning his limbs, Nor his mighty strength, nor his goodly frame.
13
Who can strip off his outer garment? Who shall come within his jaws?
14
Who can open the doors of his face? Round about his teeth is terror.
15
Hisstrong scales are his pride, Shut up together as with a close seal. ​
16
One is so near to another, That no air can come between them.
17
They are joined one to another; They stick together, so that they cannot be sundered.

The Creature's Fiery Weapons

18
His sneezings flash forth light, And his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. ​
19
Out of his mouth go burning torches, And sparks of fire leap forth.
20
Out of his nostrils a smoke goeth, As of a boiling pot and burning rushes.
21
His breath kindleth coals, And a flame goeth forth from his mouth. ​

Invulnerability and Supreme Strength

22
In his neck abideth strength, And terror danceth before him.
23
The flakes of his flesh are joined together: They are firm upon him; they cannot be moved.
24
His heart is as firm as a stone; Yea, firm as the nether millstone. ​
25
When he raiseth himself up, the mighty are afraid: By reason of consternation they are beside themselves.
26
If one lay at him with the sword, it cannot avail; Nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft.
27
He counteth iron as straw, And brass as rotten wood. ​
28
The arrow cannot make him flee: Sling-stones are turned with him into stubble.
29
Clubs are counted as stubble: He laugheth at the rushing of the javelin.
30
His underparts are like sharp potsherds: He spreadeth as it were a threshing-wain upon the mire.
31
He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: He maketh the sea like a pot of ointment. ​
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, That is made without fear. ​
34
He beholdeth everything that is high: He is king over all the sons of pride. ​

Study Notes for Job 41

Verse 1

Leviathan, like Behemoth (Ch. 40), represents a creature of immense power, often identified as a crocodile or perhaps a mythical sea serpent. God uses this creature to demonstrate the limits of human strength and the futility of Job attempting to control creation.

Verse 4

The challenge asks if Job can establish a binding 'covenant' with Leviathan, suggesting a relationship of master and servant. This highlights the absolute lack of control humans have over the most terrifying aspects of nature.

Verse 8

This verse is an ironic warning. God tells Job that if he dares to lay a hand on the creature, the resulting defeat will be so terrifying that he will never attempt such a battle again.

Verse 10

This verse is the theological pivot of the entire description. If humans fear even to provoke Leviathan, how can Job presume to stand before God, who created and controls this monstrous power?

Verse 11

The rhetorical question 'Who hath prevented me?' (lit. 'Who came before me?') asserts God's ultimate sovereignty. Since God is the creator and owner of everything, He owes nothing to Job or anyone else; He acts independently of human claims.

Verse 15

The scales are described as tightly locked together, like a 'close seal.' This emphasizes the creature's armor, which is designed to be completely impervious to physical penetration.

Verse 18

The description shifts from defense to offense, using highly stylized, hyperbolic language. The creature's eyes are compared to the light of dawn, suggesting a terrifying, luminous presence.

Verse 21

The imagery of breath kindling coals and emitting flame symbolizes immense, uncontrollable destructive power, far surpassing that of any natural creature.

Verse 24

The heart being as hard as a 'nether millstone' (the heavy, stationary bottom stone) signifies absolute fearlessness and unyielding resolve, reflecting a creature incapable of submission or panic.

Verse 27

Leviathan's contempt for human weapons (iron and brass) underscores the limits of human technology and military might when facing God’s most formidable creation.

Verse 31

The creature's movement in the water is so violent that it turns the deep sea into a churning, boiling mixture. This showcases its mastery over the chaotic waters, often associated with primeval disorder in ancient thought.

Verse 33

This verse serves as a concluding summation: Leviathan is unparalleled on earth, a creature defined by absolute power and lack of fear.

Verse 34

Leviathan is presented as 'king over all the children of pride.' This final statement links the creature's dominance to human arrogance, implying that if Job (who has shown pride in challenging God) cannot even subdue Leviathan, he certainly cannot contend with Leviathan’s Creator.

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