Job 40:21

KJV

He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.

KJV (with Strong's)

He lieth {H7901} under the shady trees {H6628}, in the covert {H5643} of the reed {H7070}, and fens {H1207}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He lies down under the thorny lotus bushes and is hidden by the reeds in the swamp;

Berean Standard Bible

He lies under the lotus plants, hidden among the reeds of the marsh.

American Standard Version

He lieth under the lotus-trees, In the covert of the reed, and the fen.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 40:21 is a vivid component of God's majestic discourse to Job, where the Creator challenges human understanding by describing the immense and formidable Behemoth. This verse specifically details Behemoth's preferred habitat—a secluded, water-rich environment of "shady trees," "reed," and "fens"—thereby emphasizing its untamed nature and the secure, hidden realm over which God alone exercises dominion. It serves to underscore God's absolute sovereignty and the limits of human power and comprehension in the face of His creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 40:21 is situated within God's second, more extensive speech to Job, spanning [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Speech to Job") through [Job 41](/job/41 "Job 41 - God's Description of Leviathan"). Following Job's initial responses and renewed laments, God finally addresses him directly from a whirlwind, not by explaining the reasons for Job's suffering, but by showcasing His own infinite wisdom, power, and intricate control over creation. The descriptions of Behemoth ([Job 40:15-24](/job/40-15 "Job 40:15-24 - Description of Behemoth")) and Leviathan ([Job 41:1-34](/job/41-1 "Job 41:1-34 - Description of Leviathan")) serve as the climax of this divine revelation. These creatures are presented as prime examples of God's unmatched might, so powerful and untameable by humans that only the Creator Himself can control them. Verse 21, specifically, contributes to the portrait of Behemoth by illustrating its natural, unassailable dwelling, further cementing the creature's wildness and the Creator's unique authority over it.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, large, powerful, and often fearsome creatures held significant symbolic weight, representing untamed forces of nature or even chaos. While the precise zoological identification of Behemoth remains debated (often suggested as a hippopotamus or elephant due to its size and habitat), its symbolic function in the text is paramount. The imagery of "shady trees," "reed," and "fens" accurately depicts the marshy, riverine environments common in regions like the Nile or Mesopotamian deltas, known for their dense vegetation and formidable wildlife. For an ancient audience, such a description would evoke a creature of immense power, thriving in an environment difficult or dangerous for humans to navigate or control. This context highlights God's authority not just over domesticated animals, but over the wildest, most formidable aspects of His creation, reinforcing His transcendence above human understanding and control.

* **Key Themes:** The description of Behemoth's habitat in [Job 40:21](/job/40-21 "Job 40:21 - Behemoth's Habitat") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **God's Unchallengeable Power and Sovereignty**. If humanity cannot even contend with a creature like Behemoth, how can they possibly question the Creator who fashioned and controls it? This theme is echoed throughout scripture, reminding us that [God's understanding is infinite](/psalms/147-5 "Psalm 147:5 - God's Great Power and Understanding"). Secondly, it emphasizes **Nature's Wildness and God's Dominion over Chaos**. Behemoth thrives in a "covert" of "reed and fens," a place of untamed, dense wilderness, signifying that God's order extends even to the most formidable and seemingly chaotic elements of His creation. Finally, the verse contributes to the theme of **Human Humility and the Limits of Human Comprehension**. By presenting such a creature, God impresses upon Job (and the reader) the vastness of His wisdom and power, fostering a profound sense of humility in the face of His magnificent and often mysterious works, as [His ways are past finding out](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Depth of God's Wisdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shady trees (Hebrew, _tse'elîm_):** This term refers to a specific type of tree, often identified as the lotus tree or thorny acacia, known for its dense foliage and preference for water-rich environments. The emphasis here is on the deep, impenetrable shade and cover these trees provide, highlighting Behemoth's secure and hidden dwelling place. It suggests a natural fortress, a place of safety and concealment for this colossal creature.
* **Covert (Hebrew, _seter_):** Meaning "hiding place," "secret place," or "shelter." This word emphasizes the security and inaccessibility of Behemoth's habitat. It's not merely a place where Behemoth lies, but a place designed for concealment and protection, reinforcing the creature's untamed nature and the difficulty for any human to approach or subdue it.
* **Fens (Hebrew, _bitstsah_):** This term denotes marshy, swampy, or boggy ground. It paints a picture of a water-logged, wild, and often dangerous environment. The "fens" are an integral part of Behemoth's domain, indicating a creature perfectly adapted to and thriving in a habitat that is typically inhospitable or challenging for humans, further underscoring its formidable and wild character.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He lieth under the shady trees":** This clause establishes Behemoth's posture and primary resting place. "Lieth" suggests a state of repose, security, and mastery over its environment, rather than vulnerability. The "shady trees" provide not only physical cover from the elements but also a symbolic sense of deep concealment, indicating a creature that remains largely hidden from human observation and control.
* **"in the covert of the reed":** This phrase further specifies the nature of Behemoth's hiding place. The "covert" emphasizes a place of secret refuge, while "reed" (Hebrew: *qaneh*) refers to tall, dense marsh vegetation. This imagery portrays Behemoth as perfectly camouflaged and protected within its natural habitat, making it virtually unassailable by human means.
* **"and fens":** This concluding phrase broadens the scope of Behemoth's domain to include the surrounding swampy, marshland environment. The "fens" represent the wild, untamed, and often treacherous terrain that Behemoth inhabits and thrives in, reinforcing the creature's immense power and its complete adaptation to a formidable natural world. It underscores that this creature is at home in a realm where humanity is not.

#### Literary Devices
Job 40:21 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Imagery** is central, painting a vivid picture of Behemoth's habitat with sensory details like "shady trees," "reed," and "fens," allowing the reader to visualize the creature's secure, wild, and watery domain. This detailed description contributes to **Symbolism**, where Behemoth itself becomes a symbol of God's untamed power and the forces of nature that are utterly beyond human control. The creature's hidden, inaccessible dwelling further symbolizes the limits of human knowledge and the vastness of God's creation that remains mysterious to humanity. The verse also utilizes **Description** to build a sense of awe and wonder, not just at Behemoth, but at the Creator who designed and sustains such a magnificent and formidable creature in its perfectly suited environment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 40:21, in its detailed portrayal of Behemoth's impenetrable habitat, serves as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, including its most formidable and untamed aspects. It challenges the human tendency to believe we can fully comprehend or control the world around us, let alone the God who made it. The verse highlights that God's power is not limited to the orderly or the comprehensible but extends to the wild, the hidden, and the seemingly chaotic. This understanding cultivates a deep sense of awe and humility, reminding us that God's wisdom and might far surpass our own, and that even in the most obscure corners of His creation, His design and dominion are perfectly evident.

* [Psalm 104:24](/psalms/104-24 "Psalm 104:24 - God's Wisdom in Creation"): "O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches."
* [Isaiah 27:1](/isaiah/27-1 "Isaiah 27:1 - God's Judgment on Leviathan"): "In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea."
* [Romans 1:20](/romans/1-20 "Romans 1:20 - God's Invisible Qualities Seen in Creation"): "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 40:21 invites us to step back from our often anthropocentric view of the world and marvel at the sheer scale and diversity of God's creation, particularly those aspects that remain beyond our control or full comprehension. In a world where we often strive for mastery and understanding, the image of Behemoth in its unassailable "covert" serves as a powerful reminder of our inherent limitations and God's infinite power. This contemplation can foster a profound sense of humility, moving us away from self-reliance and towards a deeper trust in the Creator. When we face our own "Behemoths"—the overwhelming challenges, uncertainties, or seemingly uncontrollable circumstances in our lives—this verse encourages us to remember that the same God who effortlessly controls the mightiest creatures of the wild also holds our lives in His sovereign hand. This realization can bring immense comfort and peace, knowing that even in the "fens" of our darkest experiences, God is present, powerful, and utterly in control.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does reflecting on God's control over untamed creation deepen your trust in His sovereignty over your own life's "wild" or uncontrollable circumstances?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to surrender control and acknowledge God's ultimate power, much like Job was called to?**
* **How can the sheer wonder of God's creation, even its more formidable aspects, lead you to greater worship and humility?**

### FAQ
**What is Behemoth? Is it a real animal?**

Answer: Behemoth, as described in [Job 40:15-24](/job/40-15 "Job 40:15-24 - Description of Behemoth"), is a creature of immense power and size, whose exact zoological identification has been debated for centuries. Many scholars suggest it refers to a hippopotamus or elephant, given its size, strength, and association with water-rich, marshy environments like those described in [Job 40:21](/job/40-21 "Job 40:21 - Behemoth's Habitat"). Others propose it might be a mythical or legendary creature, or even a symbolic representation of a primeval force. Regardless of its precise biological identity, the primary purpose of Behemoth in the Book of Job is symbolic: it represents a creature so powerful and untameable by human hands that it serves as a testament to God's unparalleled might and sovereignty over all creation. God uses Behemoth (and Leviathan in [Job 41](/job/41 "Job 41 - Description of Leviathan")) to humble Job and demonstrate that if humanity cannot control these creatures, they certainly cannot question or comprehend the Creator who brought them into being.

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

Answer: God's purpose in describing Behemoth and Leviathan is not to provide a direct explanation for Job's suffering, but rather to re-establish His infinite wisdom, power, and sovereignty in a way that humbles Job and shifts his perspective. Job had been demanding an explanation from God for his inexplicable pain, essentially putting God on trial. Instead of a legal defense, God responds by showcasing His incomprehensible creative power and control over the universe, including its most formidable and untamed elements. By presenting creatures like Behemoth, which are beyond human control and comprehension, God illustrates the vast chasm between His divine wisdom and Job's finite understanding. This divine discourse forces Job to recognize his own limitations and God's absolute authority, leading Job to repent of his presumptuous questioning in [Job 42:1-6](/job/42-1 "Job 42:1-6 - Job's Repentance and Confession"). The point is not to explain suffering, but to affirm God's unchallengeable nature, fostering trust rather than demanding answers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound truth revealed in Job 40:21, concerning God's absolute sovereignty over the most formidable and untamed elements of creation, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Behemoth exemplifies a creature beyond human control, demonstrating God's power, Jesus Christ is the very embodiment of that divine power and wisdom. He is the one through whom "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator")). The same divine power that sustains Behemoth in its hidden "covert" is manifested in Christ's authority over all creation, from calming the raging storm with a word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")) to casting out demons and healing all manner of disease. Furthermore, the untamed forces that Behemoth symbolizes—chaos, wildness, and elements beyond human mastery—find their ultimate conqueror in Christ. He is the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), who triumphed over the spiritual "behemoths" of sin, death, and the devil, disarming principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Thus, the security and refuge Behemoth finds in its natural habitat foreshadow the ultimate "covert" and "refuge" humanity finds in Christ, who invites all who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Labor")). He is the one who truly holds all things together, demonstrating God's power not just in creation, but supremely in redemption.

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

Isaiah 19:6

And they shall turn the rivers far away; [and] the brooks of defence shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither.

Isaiah 19:7

The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no [more].

Isaiah 35:7

And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, [shall be] grass with reeds and rushes.