Job 40:15

KJV

¶ Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold now behemoth {H930}, which I made {H6213} with thee; he eateth {H398} grass {H2682} as an ox {H1241}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Now consider Behemot, whom I made along with you. He eats grass like an ox.

Berean Standard Bible

Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you. He feeds on grass like an ox.

American Standard Version

Behold now, behemoth, which I made as well as thee; He eateth grass as an ox.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 40:15 introduces "Behemoth," the first of two magnificent creatures God presents to Job from the whirlwind. This verse marks a pivotal moment in God's response to Job's questioning of divine justice, shifting the focus from Job's suffering to God's incomparable power and wisdom as the Creator. By directing Job's attention to this immense, powerful, yet surprisingly herbivorous creature, God powerfully demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over all creation, intending to humble Job and underscore the vast chasm between human limitation and divine omnipotence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within God's climactic discourse to Job, which began in [Job 38:1](/job/38-1 "Job 38:1 - God Speaks from the Whirlwind"). After Job's persistent laments and questions regarding his suffering and God's perceived injustice, the Almighty responds not with an explanation for Job's trials, but with a series of rhetorical questions and vivid descriptions of His creative power and providential control over the natural world. Chapters 38 and 39 detail various aspects of creation, from cosmic phenomena to the instincts of wild animals. [Job 40:15](/job/40-15 "Job 40:15 - Description of Behemoth") then transitions to the description of Behemoth, followed by Leviathan in [Job 41](/job/41 "Job 41 - Description of Leviathan"). These two creatures serve as the ultimate illustrations of God's power, presenting beings so formidable that they are beyond human control, thereby highlighting the futility of Job's attempt to contend with their Creator. The immediate context of [Job 40:1-14](/job/40 "Job 40 - God's Challenge to Job") shows God challenging Job to take on the role of divine judge, an impossible task that sets the stage for the unveiling of Behemoth as a testament to God's unique authority.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job is set in the land of Uz, a location generally associated with the Edomite or Arabian regions, suggesting a non-Israelite, perhaps patriarchal, setting. Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) cultures often depicted powerful, sometimes monstrous, creatures in their cosmologies, symbolizing the forces of chaos that only a supreme deity could subdue. While the precise identity of Behemoth (and Leviathan) has been debated—often suggested to be a hippopotamus or elephant due to their immense size and habitat—their primary function in the text transcends a mere zoological identification. They represent the apex of God's creation in terms of raw power and untamable nature. The cultural understanding of such formidable beasts would have immediately conveyed a sense of overwhelming might and mystery, reinforcing God's argument that if humans cannot control these creatures, they certainly cannot fathom or challenge the One who made them. The emphasis on their wildness and power underscores a common ANE motif of divine order triumphing over primeval chaos.
* **Key Themes:** The introduction of Behemoth in [Job 40:15](/job/40-15 "Job 40:15 - God's Creation, Behemoth") powerfully reinforces several core themes of the book of Job and God's discourse. The most prominent is **Divine Sovereignty and Power**, demonstrating God's absolute control and creative mastery over all things, even the most formidable and seemingly untamable aspects of creation. By presenting Behemoth, a creature of immense strength and scale, God showcases His ability to create, sustain, and govern even the mightiest beings, underscoring that His power is beyond human comprehension or challenge. This leads directly to the theme of **Human Limitation and Humility Before God**. The description of Behemoth is designed to humble Job, highlighting the vast difference between God's infinite power and Job's finite understanding and strength. It encourages a posture of awe, submission, and trust in the Creator, even amidst suffering and unanswered questions, as seen in Job's eventual repentance in [Job 42:1-6](/job/42-1-6 "Job 42:1-6 - Job's Repentance"). Furthermore, the passage touches upon **The Mystery and Order of Creation**. While Behemoth's identity remains debated, its function as a creature whose power and characteristics are beyond human management is clear. 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, showcasing a divine design that often defies human expectations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Behemoth (Hebrew, בְּהֵמוֹת, _bᵉhēmōṯ'_):** This term is a plural form of the common Hebrew word _bᵉhēmāh_, meaning "beast" or "animal." However, its use here is widely understood as a "plural of intensity" or "plural of majesty," signifying a "super-beast," "beast of beasts," or a creature of extraordinary, unparalleled size, power, and significance. This linguistic nuance immediately elevates Behemoth beyond a mere animal, presenting it as a singular, awe-inspiring entity that embodies immense, untamable power within the created order. It is a creature so grand that its very name implies its supremacy among beasts.
* **"which I made with thee" (Hebrew, עָשִׂיתִי עִמָּךְ, _ʿāśîtî ʿimmāk'_):** This phrase does not imply that Job was a co-creator with God. Rather, it emphasizes that God made Behemoth in the same created reality, the same world, that Job himself inhabits. It highlights the shared creaturely status of both Job and Behemoth under God's sole creative agency. The phrase serves to underscore the profound difference in their capacities: both are God's creatures, subject to His will, yet Behemoth possesses a power that Job cannot control, thereby reinforcing Job's inability to challenge the Creator who made them both. It is a direct challenge to Job's limited perspective, reminding him that he, like Behemoth, is but a part of God's grand design.
* **"he eateth grass as an ox" (Hebrew, יֹאכַל חָצִיר כַּשּׁוֹר, _yeʾĕkal ḥāṣîr kaššôr'_):** This detail is striking and seemingly contradictory for a creature of such immense power. While one might expect a "super-beast" to be a predator, its herbivorous diet underscores God's complete and surprising control over its nature. It demonstrates that even this formidable creature, a symbol of raw power, is entirely dependent on God's provision and operates within the bounds of His established order. The comparison to an "ox," a common domesticated animal, further emphasizes that even the wildest and most powerful aspects of creation are ultimately subject to the Creator's design, existing in a state of ordered submission rather than chaotic independence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Behold now behemoth":** God directly commands Job's attention with the imperative "Behold" (הִנֵּה, _hinnēh_), signaling the introduction of something truly remarkable and demanding full contemplation. This opening immediately establishes Behemoth as a central focus of God's argument, an awe-inspiring entity whose very existence testifies to God's unparalleled power and wisdom. It is an invitation for Job to gaze upon a marvel of creation that will shatter his limited perspective.
* **"which I made with thee":** This clause reiterates God's exclusive creative agency, asserting His sole authorship over Behemoth's existence. By placing Behemoth and Job within the same created order, God subtly highlights the vast disparity in their power and understanding. It challenges Job to recognize his own creaturely status and the immense gulf between himself and the God who brought both him and this formidable beast into being. The implication is clear: if Job cannot contend with Behemoth, how can he contend with its Maker?
* **"he eateth grass as an ox":** This seemingly mundane detail is profoundly significant. It highlights the paradoxical nature of Behemoth: a creature of immense, untamable power, yet sustained by the most common and peaceful of diets. This juxtaposition underscores God's absolute control over every aspect of His creation, even the most surprising. It demonstrates that Behemoth's strength is not chaotic or self-sufficient, but perfectly integrated into God's providential order, thriving on a simple, divinely provided sustenance, much like a common farm animal. This detail further emphasizes the Creator's mastery over all things, from the mightiest to the most humble.

#### Literary Devices
The description of Behemoth in [Job 40:15](/job/40-15 "Job 40:15 - God's Description of Behemoth") employs several powerful literary devices to convey God's message. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, as God directly addresses Job, commanding his attention with "Behold now behemoth," drawing him into an immediate, personal encounter with divine power. This direct address makes the argument intensely personal and inescapable for Job. There is also significant **Symbolism** at play; Behemoth functions not merely as a literal animal but as a symbol of immense, untamable power and the raw, majestic force of creation, wholly under God's control. It represents the very limits of human understanding and control within the natural world. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Juxtaposition** by presenting the immense power and formidable nature of Behemoth alongside the surprising detail of its humble, herbivorous diet ("he eateth grass as an ox"). This contrast emphasizes God's complete and often unexpected control over His creation, demonstrating that even the most powerful beings are subject to His ordered design and provision. The entire discourse, including this verse, functions as a grand **Rhetorical Argument**, where God's descriptions of creation serve as unanswerable proofs of His omnipotence, designed to humble Job and silence his complaints without directly addressing the problem of suffering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 40:15 stands as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty and the incomprehensible wisdom embedded within His creation. By presenting Behemoth, a creature of unparalleled might, God asserts His unchallengeable authority over all living things, from the smallest to the most colossal. This demonstration of power is not merely for show but serves to humble humanity, reminding us of our finite understanding and limited capacity in comparison to the infinite Creator. The verse highlights that God's power extends not only to creating such formidable beings but also to sustaining them in ways that defy human expectation (e.g., a powerful creature eating grass). This intricate control over the natural order underscores God's meticulous design and providential care, even in aspects of creation that seem wild or chaotic to human eyes. Ultimately, the passage calls for a posture of awe, trust, and submission before a God whose ways are higher than our ways, and whose power is beyond our ability to question or comprehend.

* [Psalm 104:24](/psalm/104-24 "Psalm 104:24 - God's Wisdom in Creation")
* [Psalm 50:10-11](/psalm/50-10-11 "Psalm 50:10-11 - God Owns All Animals")
* [Isaiah 45:9](/isaiah/45-9 "Isaiah 45:9 - The Potter and the Clay")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Job 40:15 offers profound lessons that resonate deeply with our own struggles with doubt, unanswered questions, and feelings of being overwhelmed. When we face circumstances that seem chaotic, unjust, or beyond our control, reflecting on God's magnificent creation, as exemplified by Behemoth, reminds us of His incomprehensible power, wisdom, and sovereign control over all things. Just as Job learned to submit to God's sovereign plan, we are called to trust in the Creator who controls every detail, from the smallest atom to the mightiest "behemoth" of our challenges. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deeper sense of awe and worship for our God, who is infinitely greater than any problem 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, though often mysterious, plan. In a world that often feels out of control, this passage anchors our faith in the One who holds all things together, inviting us to rest in His omnipotence rather than striving to understand every detail of His ways.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does reflecting on the immense power of God's creation, as exemplified by Behemoth, impact your understanding of His sovereignty in your own life?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to question God's wisdom or control, and how might this passage encourage greater trust and humility?**
* **What does Behemoth's seemingly contradictory diet ("eateth grass as an ox") teach us about God's intricate and sometimes surprising design in creation and His providential care?**

### FAQ
**What is Behemoth, and is it a real animal?**

Answer: The term "Behemoth" (Hebrew: בְּהֵמוֹת, _bᵉhēmōṯ_) is a plural of intensity, signifying a "super-beast" or "beast of beasts," a creature of extraordinary size and power. While its precise identity is debated, many scholars suggest it refers to a hippopotamus or elephant, given the descriptions of its immense size, strength, and habitat (e.g., its tail like a cedar, bones like bronze, and dwelling in the reeds). However, its primary function in the book of Job is symbolic rather than strictly zoological. Behemoth represents the untamed, immense power of God's creation, a creature so formidable that it is beyond human control. Its specific identity is less important than its role in demonstrating God's unchallengeable might and wisdom.

**Why does God describe Behemoth to Job, instead of answering his questions about suffering?**

Answer: God's description of Behemoth is a rhetorical strategy designed to humble Job and demonstrate the vast chasm between human understanding and divine omnipotence. God does not directly explain the reasons for Job's suffering. Instead, He challenges Job's ability to comprehend or control the natural world, culminating in the presentation of Behemoth (and later Leviathan). The implied question is: If Job cannot even manage or understand a creature like Behemoth, how can he possibly contend with or question the One who created it and sustains all things? As God asks in [Job 40:2](/job/40-2 "Job 40:2 - Can You Contend with the Almighty?"), "Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it." The purpose is to lead Job to a place of awe, humility, and trust in God's sovereign wisdom, even when His ways are beyond human comprehension.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 40:15 describes a creature of immense power in the Old Testament, its ultimate fulfillment and deeper theological significance are found in Christ. Behemoth serves as a testament to God's raw creative power and absolute sovereignty, illustrating that all things, even the most formidable, are subject to His will. This power is fully embodied in Jesus Christ, who is not merely a creature but the co-eternal Creator of all things. As [John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Him") declares, "All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made," and [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ, the Creator and Sustainer") affirms that "by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him." The power displayed in Behemoth is but a shadow of Christ's cosmic authority, who not only created but also sustains all creation. Furthermore, while Behemoth represents untamable power in the natural world, Christ demonstrates power over all forms of chaos, including the spiritual. He calms storms with a word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")) and ultimately conquers the "behemoth" of sin and death, which no human could ever subdue. The ultimate demonstration of God's wisdom and power is not just in creating a mighty beast, but in the self-humiliation of the Creator Himself, who, "though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6-7 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Humility")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ disarmed the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")), demonstrating a redemptive power far exceeding the creative power shown in Behemoth, ultimately bringing humanity into submission not through overwhelming might, but through self-sacrificial love.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 40:20

Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.

Psalms 104:14

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;

Genesis 1:24

¶ And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.

Genesis 1:26

¶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Job 39:8

The range of the mountains [is] his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.