Job 40:24

KJV

He taketh it with his eyes: [his] nose pierceth through snares.

KJV (with Strong's)

He taketh {H3947} it with his eyes {H5869}: his nose {H639} pierceth through {H5344} snares {H4170}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Can anyone catch him by his eyes or pierce his nose with a hook?

Berean Standard Bible

Can anyone capture him as he looks on, or pierce his nose with a snare?

American Standard Version

Shall any take him when he is on the watch, Or pierce through his nose with a snare?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 40:24 concludes God's detailed description of Behemoth, a creature of immense power and formidable presence, presented as part of the divine discourse to Job from the whirlwind. This verse, often understood as a rhetorical question, emphasizes Behemoth's untameable nature and invulnerability to human capture or control, thereby serving to underscore the Creator's own immeasurable power and wisdom, which far surpass any human capacity or understanding.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 40:24 is situated within God's second major speech to Job (chapters 38-41), delivered from a whirlwind. This divine monologue is not an explanation for Job's suffering but a profound revelation of God's omnipotence and sovereign control over all creation. Following an initial challenge to Job's wisdom and power (Job 38-39), God introduces Behemoth (Job 40:15-24) and Leviathan (Job 41:1-34) as prime examples of His creative might. The description of Behemoth, culminating in this verse, serves as a rhetorical question to Job: if he cannot even contend with or control such a creature, how much less can he challenge or comprehend the ways of its infinitely more powerful Creator? The verse thus functions as a climactic statement of Behemoth's formidable nature, directly challenging Job's capacity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the ability to tame and control large, wild animals was a significant mark of power and dominion, often associated with kings and deities. Descriptions of fearsome beasts, whether real or mythical, were common in ancient literature to illustrate the might of gods or heroes. The imagery of hooks, snares, and nose-rings for controlling animals like oxen or camels was a familiar practice. Therefore, God's rhetorical questions about capturing Behemoth would have resonated deeply with Job and his contemporaries. The debate over Behemoth's precise identity (often identified as a hippopotamus or elephant, or a mythical creature) highlights its symbolic role as the epitome of untameable strength, reflecting a theological rather than zoological focus. The point is not what the animal is, but what it represents about the one who created it.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the larger context of God's speeches, powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Job. Primarily, it underscores **God's Unchallengeable Power and Sovereignty**. The detailed, awe-inspiring portrayal of Behemoth, a creature beyond human control, directly points to the limitless might of its Creator. Secondly, it highlights **Human Limitations and Humility**. By presenting a creature that Job cannot subdue, God illustrates the vast chasm between finite human weakness and infinite divine omnipotence, inviting Job to acknowledge his own limited understanding and power, a theme that culminates in Job's confession in [Job 42:2](/job/42-2 "Job 42:2 - Job's Acknowledgment of God's Power"). Finally, it evokes **Awe for Creation**, encouraging a deep sense of wonder and reverence for the diversity and power of God's creative work, reflecting His boundless wisdom and power, as seen throughout the creation accounts in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") and celebrated in psalms like [Psalm 104](/psalms/104 "Psalm 104 - A Psalm of Creation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **יִקָּחֶנּוּ (Hebrew, _yiqqāḥennû'_):** This verb, derived from `לָקַח` (lāqaḥ), meaning "to take" or "to seize," is often translated as "he takes it" or "can one take it?" In the context of Job 40:24, its precise meaning is debated due to the challenging syntax. Many scholars interpret it as a rhetorical question, implying "Can one capture it?" or "Can one seize it while it watches?" This interpretation emphasizes Behemoth's vigilance and the impossibility of catching it unawares, reinforcing its formidable nature.
* **בְּמוֹקְשִׁים (Hebrew, _bəmuqāšîm'_):** This prepositional phrase means "with snares" or "by means of traps." The noun `מוֹקֵשׁ` (môqēš) refers to a trap, snare, or noose, commonly used for hunting or capturing animals. In the context of controlling large beasts, it would refer to devices designed to restrain or subdue. The use of this term here highlights the futility of human attempts to control Behemoth through conventional means.
* **יִנָּקֵב (Hebrew, _yinnāqēḇ'_):** This verb, derived from `נָקַב` (nāqaḇ), means "to pierce," "to bore through," or "to perforate." In ancient Near Eastern practices, piercing the nose of a large animal with a ring or hook was a common method of control. Therefore, the phrase "his nose pierceth through snares" is widely understood as a rhetorical question: "Can its nose be pierced by snares/hooks?" or "Can one put a hook through its nose?" The implied negative answer underscores Behemoth's imperviousness to such methods of subjugation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He taketh it with his eyes":** The King James Version renders this as a declarative statement, suggesting Behemoth's powerful gaze. However, the more widely accepted interpretation among modern scholars is that this is a rhetorical question: "Can one capture it in its presence?" or "Can one take it while it watches?" This reading emphasizes Behemoth's awareness and the sheer difficulty, if not impossibility, of subduing such a vigilant and powerful creature by direct confrontation or stealth. The implied answer is a resounding "No."
* **"[his] nose pierceth through snares":** Again, the KJV presents this as a statement of Behemoth's action. Yet, the Hebrew is best understood as another rhetorical question: "Can its nose be pierced by snares?" or "Can one put a hook through its nose for control?" This refers to the ancient practice of inserting rings or hooks into the noses of large, powerful animals (like oxen or bears) to lead or control them. The question highlights Behemoth's immense strength and thick hide, implying that no human-made snare or piercing device could effectively control it. The creature is too powerful to be tamed or led by conventional means.

#### Literary Devices
Job 40:24, along with the broader description of Behemoth, employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, as the verse is widely interpreted as two challenging questions posed by God to Job, rather than declarative statements. These questions ("Can one capture it...?" "Can its nose be pierced...?") are designed not to elicit an answer from Job, but to emphasize the sheer impossibility of human control over such a creature, thereby magnifying God's own power as its Creator. This technique forces Job to confront his own limitations and God's unchallengeable might. **Hyperbole** is also at play, as the description of Behemoth's invulnerability might be exaggerated to underscore its formidable nature and, by extension, God's power. Behemoth functions as **Symbolism**, representing the untamed, immense power of creation that lies utterly beyond human dominion. It is a tangible metaphor for the vastness of God's power and the limits of human understanding and control. The entire divine discourse, including this verse, serves as a powerful demonstration of **Divine Revelation**, where God reveals His character not through explanation of suffering, but through the overwhelming display of His creative and sovereign power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 40:24 profoundly contributes to the biblical understanding of divine sovereignty and human humility. By presenting Behemoth as an untameable force, God emphatically demonstrates that His power extends far beyond human comprehension or control, even over the most formidable aspects of His creation. This challenges any notion of human autonomy or self-sufficiency, compelling Job, and by extension all humanity, to recognize their finite nature in the face of an infinite God. The verse invites a posture of awe and reverence, reminding us that God's wisdom in creation is as boundless as His power, and His ways are often inscrutable to human reason. It teaches us to trust in a God who can manage the most powerful creatures, and therefore, can surely manage the complexities and mysteries of our lives, even when we do not understand His methods or purposes.

* [Psalm 104:24](/psalms/104-24 "Psalm 104:24 - God's Wisdom in Creation")
* [Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28 - The Everlasting God")
* [Romans 11:33-36](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33-36 - The Depth of God's Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 40:24 serves as a powerful mirror, reflecting our own limitations and the boundless majesty of God. In a world that often prizes human ingenuity, control, and understanding, this verse calls us to a profound humility. It challenges our tendency to seek explanations for every trial or to believe we can master every circumstance. Just as Job could not contend with Behemoth, we cannot fully grasp or control the vastness of God's creation, let alone His intricate plans for our lives. This passage encourages us to release our grip on the need for exhaustive understanding and instead cultivate a deep trust in the all-wise, all-powerful Creator. It invites us to marvel at the sheer wonder of God's creative work, recognizing that if His power is evident in a creature like Behemoth, how much more is it at work in sustaining the cosmos and orchestrating our individual paths. Our response should be one of humble adoration and confident surrender to the God who holds all things in His hands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the description of Behemoth challenge my own assumptions about human control and mastery over the world?**
* **In what areas of my life am I attempting to "tame" or control circumstances that are beyond my power, and how might this verse encourage me to release that control to God?**
* **What does God's ability to create and manage such formidable creatures teach me about His capacity to handle my personal struggles and unanswered questions?**
* **How can reflecting on God's immense power in creation lead me to a deeper sense of worship and trust in Him?**

### FAQ

**What is Behemoth, and why is it described in such detail?**

Answer: Behemoth, described in [Job 40:15-24](/job/40-15 "Job 40:15-24 - Description of Behemoth"), is a creature of immense power and size, often identified by scholars as a hippopotamus or elephant, or sometimes as a mythical primeval beast. Its exact zoological identity is less important than its theological purpose. God describes Behemoth in such detail to demonstrate His unparalleled creative power and sovereignty. By presenting a creature that is untameable and overwhelmingly strong, God rhetorically asks Job if he can contend with it. The implied answer is "no," thereby humbling Job and illustrating that if he cannot even control this creature, he certainly cannot challenge or fully comprehend the ways of its Creator. It serves as a tangible example of God's power over creation, far exceeding human capacity.

**Why is Job 40:24 considered a difficult verse to translate, and what is its most common interpretation?**

Answer: Job 40:24 is notoriously difficult to translate from the Hebrew due to its concise and ambiguous syntax, leading to various renderings in different Bible versions. The King James Version's "He taketh it with his eyes: [his] nose pierceth through snares" presents it as a declarative statement. However, the most common and widely accepted interpretation among modern scholars is that the verse contains two rhetorical questions. The first part, "He taketh it with his eyes," is understood as "Can one capture it in its presence?" or "Can one take it while it watches?" The second part, "[his] nose pierceth through snares," is interpreted as "Can its nose be pierced by snares?" or "Can one put a hook through its nose?" This interpretation emphasizes the impossibility of capturing or controlling Behemoth by human means, thereby magnifying God's power as the one who created and controls such a creature.

**What is the main point God is making to Job by describing Behemoth and Leviathan?**

Answer: The main point God makes to Job through the detailed 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")) is not to explain the reasons for Job's suffering, but to reveal His own absolute sovereignty, wisdom, and power over all creation. God challenges Job to recognize his own finite understanding and limited power in comparison to the Creator of such formidable beasts. If Job cannot even contend with these creatures, how can he question or understand the ways of their Maker? The descriptions serve to humble Job, leading him to a place of profound reverence and trust in God's unsearchable wisdom, ultimately culminating in Job's confession of God's omnipotence in [Job 42:2](/job/42-2 "Job 42:2 - Job's Acknowledgment of God's Power").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 40:24, with its focus on Behemoth, highlights God's immense power in creation, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning are found in Jesus Christ. The untameable power and sovereignty of God, so vividly displayed in His control over Behemoth, are fully embodied and revealed in the Son. Christ is not merely a powerful creature's Creator but the very Word through whom all things were made, and by whom all things hold together, including every "behemoth" of creation ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). The power that could not be challenged by Job is the power that Jesus demonstrated in calming storms, casting out demons, and ultimately, conquering sin and death. He is the one who "upholds the universe by the word of his power" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholding All Things")). The rhetorical questions posed to Job about controlling Behemoth find their answer in Christ, who possesses "all authority in heaven and on earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Christ")). He is the ultimate demonstration of God's wisdom and power, not just over physical creation, but over the spiritual forces of evil, effectively "destroying the works of the devil" ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Christ Destroys the Works of the Devil")), thereby taming the true "behemoths" that seek to ensnare humanity. In Christ, we see the very God who spoke from the whirlwind, now made flesh, inviting us not to fear His power, but to trust in His redemptive and sovereign 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 41:1

¶ Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord [which] thou lettest down?

Job 41:2

Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?