Job 40:15

Commentary on Job 40:15 (KJV)

Job 40:15 introduces the first of two magnificent creatures God presents to Job, known as "behemoth." This verse marks a pivotal moment in God's response to Job's complaints and questioning of divine justice, shifting the focus from Job's suffering to God's incomparable power and wisdom as the Creator.

Context

This verse is part of God's extensive discourse to Job, which began in Job 38:1 from a whirlwind. After Job's persistent questions about his suffering and God's apparent injustice, the Almighty responds not by explaining the reasons for Job's trials, but by challenging Job's understanding of creation and his ability to govern it. God highlights His own omnipotence and omniscience by detailing the wonders of the natural world, culminating in the descriptions of Behemoth and later, Leviathan (Job 41:1). The purpose is to humble Job and demonstrate the vast chasm between human limitation and divine sovereignty.

Key Themes

• Divine Sovereignty and Power: The primary theme is God's absolute control and power over all creation. By presenting Behemoth, a creature of immense size and strength, God showcases His ability to create and sustain even the most formidable beings. This serves as a powerful reminder that if Job cannot control such a creature, he certainly cannot comprehend or challenge the One who made it.
• Humility Before God: The description of Behemoth is intended to foster humility in Job. It underscores the vast difference between God's infinite power and Job's finite understanding and strength. This theme encourages a posture of awe and submission to the Creator, even amidst suffering and unanswered questions.
• The Mystery of Creation: While the exact identity of Behemoth is debated (often thought to be a hippopotamus or elephant, or a creature of mythical proportions), its function in the text is clear: it represents a creature whose power and characteristics are beyond human management. Its herbivorous diet ("he eateth grass as an ox") despite its immense power further emphasizes God's ordered, yet mysterious, control over even the most formidable aspects of His creation.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Behemoth" (Hebrew: בְּהֵמוֹת, bᵉhēmōṯ) is a fascinating term. It is the plural form of the common Hebrew word bᵉhēmāh, meaning "beast" or "animal." The use of the plural form here is likely a "plural of intensity" or "plural of majesty," signifying a "super-beast" or "beast of beasts"—a creature of extraordinary size, power, and significance. This linguistic nuance reinforces the idea of Behemoth's unparalleled might within the created order.

The phrase "which I made with thee" doesn't mean Job was a co-creator, but rather that God made Behemoth in the same created reality that Job inhabits. It emphasizes that both Job and Behemoth are God's creatures, subject to His will, yet highlighting the profound difference in their capacities and Job's inability to challenge the Creator.

Practical Application

For believers today, Job 40:15 offers profound lessons. When we face overwhelming circumstances or struggle with unanswered questions about God's ways, reflecting on His creation reminds us of His incomprehensible power and wisdom. Just as Job learned to submit to God's sovereign plan, we are called to trust in the Creator who controls all things, from the smallest atom to the mightiest "behemoth." This verse encourages us to cultivate a deeper sense of awe and worship for our God, who is infinitely greater than any challenge we face. It fosters humility before the Almighty, reminding us that true wisdom begins with acknowledging God's supreme authority and placing our trust in His perfect plan.