Job 40:16

KJV

Lo now, his strength [is] in his loins, and his force [is] in the navel of his belly.

KJV (with Strong's)

Lo now, his strength {H3581} is in his loins {H4975}, and his force {H202} is in the navel {H8306} of his belly {H990}.

Complete Jewish Bible

What strength he has in his loins! What power in his stomach muscles!

Berean Standard Bible

See the strength of his loins and the power in the muscles of his belly.

American Standard Version

Lo now, his strength is in his loins, And his force is in the muscles of his belly.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 40:16, a vivid stroke in God's majestic discourse to Job from the whirlwind, meticulously details the formidable physical strength of Behemoth, a creature presented as an irrefutable testament to divine power. By pinpointing the creature's core strength in its loins and belly, the verse powerfully underscores Behemoth's robust, foundational might, thereby magnifying the even greater, incomprehensible power and sovereignty of its Creator, who alone possesses the authority to command such a being. This precise depiction serves to humble Job, redirecting his gaze from the confines of his own suffering and limited understanding to the boundless wisdom and omnipotence of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 40:16 is intricately woven into the fabric of God's climactic monologue, which commences in [Job 38:1](/job/38-1 "Job 38:1 - God Answers Job from the Whirlwind"). Following Job's profound laments and the exhaustive theological debates with his friends, God responds not with a direct explanation for suffering, but with a series of rhetorical questions and awe-inspiring descriptions of creation. These divine speeches are meticulously crafted to highlight God's unchallengeable power, wisdom, and cosmic sovereignty. Chapters 40 and 41 specifically focus on two magnificent creatures, Behemoth and Leviathan, presented as unparalleled examples of God's creative might. The description of Behemoth, initiated in [Job 40:15](/job/40-15 "Job 40:15 - Description of Behemoth Begins"), elaborates on its immense size, formidable nature, and feeding habits, with verse 16 precisely identifying the seat of its extraordinary physical power. This entire section functions as a culminating argument for God's absolute sovereignty, designed to humble Job and lead him to a posture of trust and submission, ultimately culminating in Job's profound repentance and confession in [Job 42:1-6](/job/42-1-6 "Job 42:1-6 - Job's Repentance and Confession").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting of the book of Job in the land of Uz, likely within the ancient Near East, places the narrative in a region where large, powerful animals such as hippopotamuses or elephants were known, and where the concept of divine mastery over chaotic forces was a prevalent theological theme. In ancient Near Eastern cosmologies, the ability to control powerful, often monstrous, creatures was a defining characteristic of the supreme deity, symbolizing ultimate authority over creation and chaos. The vivid descriptions of Behemoth and Leviathan in Job resonate deeply with this cultural understanding, presenting these creatures not merely as biological specimens but as potent symbolic representations of raw, untamed power that only God can manage. The emphasis on Behemoth's physical core strength in its "loins" and "belly" would have profoundly resonated with an audience familiar with the ancient understanding of these areas as vital centers of life, strength, and procreation, further underscoring the creature's formidable nature and, by extension, the Creator's unparalleled might.
* **Key Themes:** Job 40:16 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Divine Omnipotence**, showcasing God's absolute and limitless power to create creatures of overwhelming might. The detailed description of Behemoth's concentrated strength highlights that if God can fashion and control such a beast, His power is truly beyond human comprehension, a theme echoed throughout the divine speeches, as seen in [Job 38:4-7](/job/38-4-7 "Job 38:4-7 - God's Power in Creation"). Secondly, the verse points to **God's Unfathomable Wisdom** in creation. The existence of a creature like Behemoth, whose strength is so perfectly designed and concentrated, speaks to the intricate and unsearchable depths of God's wisdom, which far surpasses human understanding, a concept also articulated in [Psalm 104:24](/psalms/104-24 "Psalm 104:24 - God's Wisdom in Creation"). Finally, and most crucially for Job's narrative trajectory, it calls for **Human Humility**. By presenting Behemoth as an unmanageable force for humans, God challenges Job's perspective, demonstrating that if Job cannot even begin to contend with or fully comprehend one of God's creatures, how much less can he truly grasp or question the ways of the Almighty Creator? This serves to humble Job, reminding him of his finite understanding and capacity, and calling him to a posture of trust in God's sovereign plan, as Job himself later admits in [Job 42:3](/job/42-3 "Job 42:3 - Job's Confession of Ignorance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Strength (Hebrew, _kôach'_):** This Hebrew term (H3581) denotes vigor, force, or power. It speaks to an inherent, robust energy that defines the creature's very being, signifying not just potential but active, manifest physical capacity. Its use here emphasizes the sheer, raw physical might of Behemoth.
* **Force (Hebrew, _ʼôwn'_):** This word (H202), often used in parallel with _kôach_, also signifies ability, power, or might. It can carry connotations of successful effort or vital energy. Its parallel use with _kôach_ in this verse intensifies the description, suggesting an overflowing, foundational energy that emanates from the creature's core.
* **Loins (Hebrew, _môthen'_):** In biblical anthropology, the loins (H4975), referring to the waist or small of the back, are consistently depicted as the seat of physical strength, vitality, and often, procreative power. To state that Behemoth's strength is in its loins means it is deeply rooted, foundational, and robust—the core from which powerful movements originate.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Lo now, his strength [is] in his loins":** This opening clause immediately draws Job's undivided attention to Behemoth's extraordinary power. The interjection "Lo now" (הִנֵּה־נָא, _hinneh-na'_) serves as a command for Job to observe and consider. The declaration that its "strength" (כֹּחַ) is concentrated in its "loins" (מָתְנָיו) points to the lower back and pelvic region as the primary source of its physical might. This area is understood as crucial for stability, powerful movement, and bearing immense weight, indicating a creature of profound foundational power and endurance.
* **"and his force [is] in the navel of his belly.":** This second clause functions in powerful parallelism to the first, reinforcing and expanding upon the description of Behemoth's might. "Force" (אוֹן) reiterates the idea of vigor and might, while "the navel of his belly" (referring to the abdominal region, specifically _shârîyr_ for navel and _beṭen_ for belly) signifies that Behemoth's power is not merely concentrated in its limbs but emanates from its very center, its trunk. This combined imagery of loins and belly portrays a being whose strength is deeply ingrained and central to its entire physical constitution, suggesting a creature of incredible mass, stability, and internal power.

#### Literary Devices
Job 40:16 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey Behemoth's formidable nature and, by extension, God's supreme power. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, where the phrase "his strength [is] in his loins" is powerfully echoed and reinforced by "and his force [is] in the navel of his belly." This repetition, with its subtle variation in word choice, intensifies the message, emphasizing the creature's concentrated and pervasive power. **Imagery** is also vividly employed, as the verse paints a clear mental picture of a creature whose physical might is deeply rooted in its very core—the loins and belly. This concrete imagery helps the listener grasp the sheer scale of Behemoth's power and its formidable, unyielding nature. Furthermore, the description functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Exaggeration**, not necessarily in the literal sense of the creature's anatomy, but in its symbolic representation of untamed, overwhelming power. Behemoth is presented as an ultimate example of physical might, designed to impress upon Job the vastness of creation and the even greater, incomparable power of its Creator, who alone can control such a magnificent and terrifying beast.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 40:16 transcends a mere zoological description; it is a profound theological statement embedded within the natural world. It serves as an undeniable reminder that God's power is not an abstract concept but is tangibly demonstrated and experienced throughout the physical creation He has brought into being. The immense, concentrated strength of Behemoth, a creature portrayed as utterly beyond human control or comprehension, points unequivocally to the infinitely greater power of its Maker. This passage challenges any anthropocentric view of the cosmos, reminding humanity of its inherent finitude and limited understanding when confronted with divine omnipotence. It underscores that God's sovereignty extends even over the most formidable and seemingly chaotic elements of His creation, providing a robust foundation for trust even when His ways are inscrutable. The very existence of such a creature, designed with such robust power, speaks to God's meticulous and masterful design, inviting profound awe and humility from all who contemplate it.

* [Psalm 147:5](/psalms/147-5 "God's Great Power and Understanding")
* [Isaiah 40:26](/isaiah/40-26 "God's Power in Creation")
* [Romans 1:20](/romans/1-20 "God's Invisible Attributes Seen in Creation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 40:16, though describing an ancient creature, imparts timeless lessons for our contemporary lives. In an age where we often feel a pervasive sense of control or believe we can comprehend all things through human reason, this verse serves as a powerful and necessary corrective. It calls us to pause, to humble ourselves, and to genuinely consider the sheer, unbridled power that God has infused into His creation, even into a single creature like Behemoth. If one of God's creations possesses such formidable, foundational strength, how much more infinite and unsearchable is the power of the Creator Himself? This reflection should cultivate a deep, abiding sense of awe and reverence within us, leading us to humble ourselves before the Almighty. When we inevitably face circumstances that seem overwhelming, daunting, or utterly beyond our control, remembering the God who commands Behemoth can instill profound and unwavering trust. Our challenges, no matter how immense, are never too great for the One whose strength is limitless, whose wisdom is perfect, and whose sovereignty is absolute. This humility and trust are not a surrender to fatalism but a liberating embrace of the profound truth that our lives are held securely in the hands of the all-powerful, all-wise God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does contemplating the immense power of God's creation (like Behemoth) deepen your understanding of God's character and attributes?**
* **In what specific areas of your life are you currently tempted to rely on your own limited strength or understanding rather than fully trusting in God's omnipotence?**
* **How can remembering God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, including powerful beasts, encourage and strengthen you in moments of fear, anxiety, or uncertainty?**
* **What practical, specific actions can you take this week to cultivate a deeper, more consistent sense of awe and humility before God in your daily walk?**

### FAQ

**What is Behemoth, and why does God describe it to Job?**

Answer: Behemoth, vividly described in [Job 40:15-24](/job/40-15-24 "Description of Behemoth"), is a creature of immense size and power, presented by God as a prime example of His creative might. While its exact identification remains a subject of scholarly debate (with suggestions ranging from a hippopotamus or elephant to a mythical creature symbolizing chaotic power), the biblical text consistently emphasizes its colossal strength, unyielding nature, and invulnerability to human efforts. God describes Behemoth (and later Leviathan in [Job 41](/job/41 "Description of Leviathan")) to Job not to directly answer the "why" of Job's suffering, but to profoundly demonstrate His own unparalleled power and absolute sovereignty over all creation. The core point is that if Job cannot even begin to contend with or comprehend one of God's creatures, how can he possibly question or truly grasp the ways of the Almighty Creator? This divine discourse serves to humble Job, reminding him of his finite perspective compared to God's infinite wisdom and control, ultimately leading Job to a place of repentance and renewed trust in God's unsearchable wisdom (cf. [Job 42:1-6](/job/42-1-6 "Job's Confession and Repentance")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The description of Behemoth's immense and concentrated strength in Job 40:16, showcasing God's absolute power over creation, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest theological meaning in the person of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament reveals God's power through the magnificent works of His creation, the New Testament reveals that this very power is perfectly and fully incarnated in the Son. [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Christ as Creator and Sustainer") profoundly declares that "by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." This means the very power that fashioned Behemoth, meticulously placing strength in its core, is the power of Christ himself. He is not merely a creature, but the eternal Creator, the very embodiment of divine strength, wisdom, and sustaining power. Furthermore, just as God's control over Behemoth demonstrates His sovereignty over physical might, Christ's earthly ministry demonstrates His ultimate authority over all forces—spiritual, natural, and even death itself. His authoritative calming of the storm ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Jesus Calms the Storm")), His powerful casting out of demons ([Luke 4:36](/luke/4-36 "Jesus Casts Out a Demon")), and His triumphant resurrection over the grave ([Romans 6:9](/romans/6-9 "Christ's Resurrection Power")) all point to a power far surpassing that of any created being. In Christ, we witness the Creator's power not only displayed in creation but also wielded redemptively, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe, securing a victory that even the mightiest Behemoth could never achieve ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Christ's Victory Over Death")).

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.