Job 41:15

KJV

[His] scales [are his] pride, shut up together [as with] a close seal.

KJV (with Strong's)

His scales {H4043}{H650} are his pride {H1346}, shut up together {H5462} as with a close {H6862} seal {H2368}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"His pride is his rows of scales, tightly sealed together -

Berean Standard Bible

His rows of scales are his pride, tightly sealed together.

American Standard Version

Hisstrong scales are his pride, Shut up together as with a close seal.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 41:15 offers a vivid depiction of Leviathan's impenetrable scales, describing them as its "pride" and "shut up together as with a close seal." This verse is a crucial element in God's climactic discourse to Job, showcasing the creature's formidable and unassailable nature. By highlighting Leviathan's overwhelming power and invulnerability, God underscores His own supreme sovereignty and wisdom, demonstrating that if humanity cannot contend with such a creature, it certainly cannot challenge the Creator of all things.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 41:15 is situated within God's extended speech to Job, spanning from [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Answer to Job") through [Job 41](/job/41 "Job 41 - The Description of Leviathan"). This divine discourse serves as God's direct response to Job's lamentations and questioning of divine justice. After detailing the wonders of the natural world and the untameable Behemoth in [Job 40](/job/40 "Job 40 - The Description of Behemoth"), God introduces Leviathan in [Job 41](/job/41 "Job 41 - The Description of Leviathan") as the ultimate demonstration of His creative power and unchallengeable authority. The description of Leviathan's impenetrable scales in verse 15 emphasizes its invulnerability, setting the stage for God's rhetorical question: if Job cannot subdue this creature, how can he possibly contend with its Maker? This passage culminates in Job's humble submission and repentance in [Job 42:1-6](/job/42-1-6 "Job 42:1-6 - Job's Repentance and Restoration").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Job, while set in a patriarchal context, transcends specific historical periods, dealing with universal questions of suffering, divine justice, and human wisdom. However, the imagery of Leviathan draws upon ancient Near Eastern (ANE) mythological traditions, where formidable sea creatures (like Lotan in Ugaritic texts or Tiamat in Babylonian myths) often symbolized chaos and primordial evil, which deities had to conquer to establish order. By describing Leviathan as a creature of His own making, fully under His control, God asserts His absolute sovereignty over all forces, whether natural or symbolic of chaos, distinguishing Himself from the polytheistic deities of surrounding cultures. This portrayal would have resonated with an audience familiar with such imagery, yet it profoundly redefines the creature as a testament to Yahweh's unique and unparalleled power.

* **Key Themes:** The description of Leviathan, particularly its impenetrable scales, contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Job. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **God's Unchallengeable Sovereignty** over all creation, including the most fearsome and untameable elements. Leviathan symbolizes forces beyond human control, yet it is entirely subject to God's will, reinforcing the idea that God's power knows no bounds, as Job himself later confesses in [Job 42:2](/job/42-2 "Job 42:2 - Job's Acknowledgment of God's Omnipotence"). Secondly, the passage highlights **Human Limitation and Humility**. By presenting a creature that no human can conquer or even approach without fear, God emphasizes the vast chasm between finite human weakness and infinite divine might, inspiring awe and a profound sense of humility in Job and the reader. Finally, it underscores **The Formidable and Awe-Inspiring Nature of Creation**, revealing that even the most terrifying aspects of God's handiwork are designed to display His majestic power and wisdom, leading to a deeper reverence for the Creator.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pride (Hebrew, גַּאֲוָה, _ga'avah'_):** In this context, "pride" does not carry the negative connotation of sinful arrogance, but rather signifies majesty, splendor, strength, or exaltedness. It refers to the formidable and impressive appearance of Leviathan's scales, conveying their inherent power and invulnerability as a source of the creature's awe-inspiring might and glory.
* **Shut up together (Hebrew, צָרוּר, _tsarur'_):** This word conveys the sense of being "bound," "sealed," or "tightly joined." It emphasizes the seamless and impenetrable nature of Leviathan's scales, indicating that they are so closely interlocked that there is no weak point or opening in its armor. The imagery suggests a complete and unbreachable defense.
* **Close seal (Hebrew, חֹתָם, _chotam'_):** This term refers to a "seal" or "signet," typically used to make an impression or to secure something tightly. Here, it reinforces the idea of perfect, hermetic closure. The scales are not merely joined, but sealed together, implying an absolute and inviolable protection, leaving no gaps for vulnerability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"His scales are his pride":** This clause introduces the primary characteristic of Leviathan's defense system. The scales are not just a physical attribute but are presented as the very essence of its majesty and formidable power. They are a visible testament to its inherent strength, inspiring awe and dread in any who behold it. This "pride" is a display of its natural, God-given invincibility.
* **"shut up together as with a close seal":** This second clause elaborates on the nature of the scales' arrangement, explaining *why* they are so formidable. The phrase vividly describes how the scales are interlocked so tightly and perfectly that they form a seamless, impenetrable barrier. The simile "as with a close seal" emphasizes the absolute lack of any opening or vulnerability, suggesting a hermetically sealed, unbreakable armor that no weapon or force can penetrate.

#### Literary Devices
The description of Leviathan's scales in Job 41:15 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its formidable nature and, by extension, God's supreme power. **Personification** is evident in the phrase "His scales are his pride," attributing a human quality of majesty or glory to an animal's physical feature, thereby elevating the scales beyond mere protection to a symbol of the creature's inherent power. The use of **Hyperbole** is central to the entire description of Leviathan, exaggerating its strength and invulnerability to emphasize the vastness of God's creative power. The **Simile** "as with a close seal" provides a concrete and relatable image for the abstract concept of absolute impenetrability, allowing the reader to grasp the seamless tightness of the scales. Furthermore, the passage is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid mental picture of an armored, unassailable beast. Ultimately, Leviathan itself functions as a profound **Symbolism**, representing untameable power and chaos in creation, which God alone fully controls, thereby humbling Job and magnifying the Creator's majesty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 41:15, by detailing the impenetrable armor of Leviathan, profoundly contributes to the biblical understanding of God's absolute sovereignty and the limits of human power. The creature's invulnerability serves as a dramatic illustration of forces beyond human control, yet fully under God's dominion. This passage reminds us that God's power extends not only to the benevolent aspects of creation but also to its most fearsome and chaotic elements, demonstrating His comprehensive authority over all things seen and unseen. It challenges any human presumption of self-sufficiency or ability to contend with divine wisdom, fostering a deep sense of awe and humility before the Creator. The theological implication is clear: if humanity cannot conquer a creature like Leviathan, it certainly cannot challenge the God who created it.

* [Psalm 104:26](/psalms/104-26 "Psalm 104:26 - Leviathan in God's Creation")
* [Isaiah 27:1](/isaiah/27-1 "Isaiah 27:1 - God's Victory Over Leviathan")
* [Psalm 74:14](/psalms/74-14 "Psalm 74:14 - God Crushing Leviathan's Heads")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The description of Leviathan's impenetrable scales in Job 41:15 serves as a profound reminder of God's awe-inspiring power and our own human limitations. In a world that often encourages self-reliance and control, this verse calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and dependence on the Almighty. Just as Leviathan's scales represent an insurmountable barrier for human strength, so too do the challenges and mysteries of life often feel overwhelming. However, understanding that God is sovereign over even the most formidable aspects of His creation—symbolized by Leviathan—can bring immense peace and trust. It encourages us to surrender our anxieties and fears to the One who holds all power, recognizing that His wisdom and might far surpass our comprehension. This contemplation should inspire not fear of God, but a deeper reverence and worship for the Creator who is able to control what we cannot, and who works all things according to His perfect plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the description of Leviathan's power challenge my understanding of God's sovereignty in my own life and over the world's seemingly uncontrollable forces?**
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to rely on my own strength or understanding rather than acknowledging God's ultimate control and wisdom?**
* **How can contemplating God's mastery over even the most formidable aspects of creation deepen my worship, trust, and humility before Him?**

### FAQ

**Is Leviathan a literal creature or symbolic?**

Answer: While described with vivid, almost literal features in Job 41, Leviathan's primary role within God's discourse to Job is symbolic. It represents the untameable, overwhelming power and chaos that exists in creation, serving to illustrate God's absolute and unchallengeable sovereignty. Scholars debate whether it was based on an exaggerated version of a real, formidable creature (like a crocodile or whale) or if it was entirely mythical, drawing from ancient Near Eastern mythological imagery. Regardless, its function in Job is to demonstrate that if humanity cannot contend with such a creature, it certainly cannot contend with the God who created it.

**Why does God describe Leviathan to Job?**

Answer: God describes Leviathan to Job not to answer Job's specific questions about his suffering or divine justice directly, but to humble Job and expand his perspective. Through the detailed portrayal of Leviathan's immense power and invulnerability, God demonstrates the limits of human understanding and power compared to His infinite might and wisdom. The rhetorical questions posed throughout [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Answer to Job") highlight Job's inability to control or even fully comprehend God's creation, let alone God Himself. This grand display of divine power shifts Job's focus from his own suffering and perceived injustices to God's majestic and incomprehensible sovereignty, ultimately leading Job to repentance and a deeper trust in God's character, as seen in [Job 42:1-6](/job/42-1-6 "Job 42:1-6 - Job's Repentance and Restoration").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The formidable Leviathan, with its impenetrable scales, serves as a powerful Old Testament symbol of the untameable forces of evil, chaos, and death—powers that no human can conquer. In the person of Jesus Christ, we find the ultimate fulfillment of God's absolute sovereignty over all such powers. While Leviathan's scales are its "pride" and an impenetrable "seal" against human attack, Christ's victory on the cross and resurrection demonstrates God's complete triumph over the spiritual Leviathans of sin, death, and the devil. The New Testament reveals that Christ has disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross, as stated in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers"). He is the one who, through His death, destroyed "him who has the power of death, that is, the devil" ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Defeat of Death")). The Son of God appeared for this very purpose: "to destroy the works of the devil" ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Christ Destroying the Works of the Devil")). Just as Leviathan's scales are "shut up together as with a close seal," Christ's victory is complete and irreversible, sealing the fate of all opposing forces. He is now seated at God's right hand, "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named" ([Ephesians 1:20-22](/ephesians/1-20-22 "Ephesians 1:20-22 - Christ's Supremacy Over All Authority")), demonstrating that the Creator's power, once displayed in Leviathan, is fully embodied and exercised through His Son, who will ultimately bind Satan himself for a thousand years ([Revelation 20:1-3](/revelation/20-1-3 "Revelation 20:1-3 - The Binding of Satan")).

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

Revelation 5:5

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Jeremiah 9:23

¶ Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches:

Revelation 5:2

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

Revelation 5:3

And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.