Job 41:1

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

Canst thou draw out {H4900} leviathan {H3882} with an hook {H2443}? or his tongue {H3956} with a cord {H2256} which thou lettest down {H8257}?

"And Livyatan! Can you catch him with a fishhook or hold his tongue down with a rope?

โ€œCan you pull in Leviathan with a hook or tie down his tongue with a rope?

Canst thou draw out leviathan with a fishhook? Or press down his tongue with a cord?

Commentary

Job 41:1 introduces the formidable creature known as Leviathan, as God continues His profound discourse to Job. This verse marks the beginning of a detailed, awe-inspiring description of a being so powerful and untamable that it serves as a stark contrast to human capabilities, even those of a righteous man like Job.

Context

This verse is part of God's grand response to Job's complaints and questions about suffering and divine justice. Beginning in Job chapter 38, God challenges Job's understanding of the cosmos, creation, and divine wisdom. Following the description of Behemoth in Job 40:15-24, Leviathan is presented as an even more terrifying and uncontrollable force. The rhetorical question, "Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook?," underscores God's immense power and Job's (and humanity's) inherent limitations in controlling the natural world, let alone comprehending the divine plan.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence: The primary message of this verse and the chapters that follow is the absolute, unrivaled power of God. No human can subdue Leviathan; only God has such dominion. This highlights God's ultimate control over all creation, visible and invisible.
  • Human Insignificance and Humility: By posing questions that reveal humanity's inability to control even a single creature of such magnitude, God humbles Job. It emphasizes that human strength, wisdom, and understanding are minuscule compared to divine power and knowledge, fostering a spirit of awe and submission.
  • The Mystery of Creation: Leviathan, whether a literal creature (like a massive crocodile or whale) or a symbolic representation of chaotic, untamable forces, points to aspects of creation that remain beyond human comprehension and control. It signifies the wild, untamed beauty and power God has woven into the fabric of the universe.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Leviathan" (Hebrew: ืœึดื•ึฐื™ึธืชึธืŸ, liwyatan) evokes a sense of twisting, coiling, and powerful movement, often associated with a sea monster, dragon, or large aquatic creature in ancient Near Eastern thought. However, in the biblical context of Job, Leviathan is presented as a creature of God's making, demonstrating God's supreme power over even the most formidable aspects of His creation. The rhetorical question "Canst thou draw out... with an hook?" uses common fishing imagery to highlight the utter absurdity of humans attempting to tame such a beast, further emphasizing God's unique power.

Practical Application

For believers today, Job 41:1 serves as a powerful reminder of God's immense and unquestionable power. When faced with life's overwhelming challenges or feelings of helplessness, this verse encourages us to place our trust in a God who not only created but also effortlessly controls forces far beyond our understanding. It calls us to humility, recognizing that our perspective is limited, and to find peace in the knowledge that a sovereign God is at the helm. Just as Job learned to trust God's wisdom despite not understanding His ways, we too can rest in His unfathomable power and perfect plan, knowing that He is in control of even the "Leviathans" in our lives.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 74:14

    Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, [and] gavest him [to be] meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.

  • Isaiah 27:1

    ยถ 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.

  • Job 3:8

    Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning.

  • Psalms 104:26

    There go the ships: [there is] that leviathan, [whom] thou hast made to play therein.
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