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Commentary on Job 41 verses 11–34
God, having in the foregoing verses shown Job how unable he was to deal with the leviathan, here sets forth his own power in that massy mighty creature. Here is,
I. God's sovereign dominion and independency laid down, Job 41:11. 1. That he is indebted to none of his creatures. If any pretend he is indebted to them, let them make their demand and prove their debt, and they shall receive it in full and not by composition: "Who has prevented me?" that is, "who has laid any obligations upon me by any services he has done me? Who can pretend to be before-hand with me? If any were, I would not long be behind-hand with them; I would soon repay them." The apostle quotes this for the silencing of all flesh in God's presence, Rom 11:35. Who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed to him again? As God does not inflict upon us the evils we have deserved, so he does bestow upon us the favours we have not deserved. 2. That he is the rightful Lord and owner of all the creatures: "Whatsoever is under the whole heaven, animate or inanimate, is mine (and particularly this leviathan), at my command and disposal, what I have an incontestable property in and dominion over." All is his; we are his, all we have and do; and therefore we cannot make God our debtor; but of thy own, Lord, have we given thee. All is his, and therefore, if he were indebted to any, he has wherewithal to repay them; the debt is in good hands. All is his, and therefore he needs not our services, nor can he be benefited by them. If I were hungry I would not tell thee, for the world is mind and the fulness thereof, Psa 50:12.
II. The proof and illustration of it, from the wonderful structure of the leviathan, Job 41:12.
1.The parts of his body, the power he exerts, especially when he is set upon, and the comely proportion of the whole of him, are what God will not conceal, and therefore what we must observe and acknowledge the power of God in. Though he is a creature of monstrous bulk, yet there is in him a comely proportion. In our eye beauty lies in that which is small (inest sua gratia parvis - little things have a gracefulness all their own) because we ourselves are so; but in God's eye even the leviathan is comely; and, if he pronounce even the whale, event he crocodile, so, it is not for us to say of any of the works of his hands that they are ugly of ill-favoured; it is enough to say so, as we have cause, of our own works. God here goes about to give us an anatomical view (as it were) of the leviathan; for his works appear most beautiful and excellent, and his wisdom and power appear most in them, when they are taken in pieces and viewed in their several parts and proportions. (1.) The leviathan, even prima facie - at first sight, appears formidable and inaccessible, Job 41:13, Job 41:14. Who dares come so near him while he is alive as to discover or take a distinct view of the face of the garment, the skin with which he is clothed as with a garment, so near him as to bridle him like a horse and so lead him away, so near him as to be within reach of his jaws, which are like a double bridle? Who will venture to look into his mouth, as we do into a horse's mouth? He that opens the doors of his face will see his teeth terrible round about, strong and sharp, and fitted to devour; it would make a man tremble to think of having a leg or an arm between them. (2.) His scales are his beauty and strength, and therefore his pride, Job 41:15-17. The crocodile is indeed remarkable for his scales; if we understand it of the whale, we must understand by these shields (for so the word is) the several coats of his skin; or there might be whales in that country with scales. That which is remarkable concerning the scales is that they stick so close together, by which he is not only kept warm, for no air can pierce him, but kept safe, for no sword can pierce him through those scales. Fishes, that live in the water, are fortified accordingly by the wisdom of Providence, which gives clothes as it gives cold. (3.) He scatters terror with his very breath and looks; if he sneeze or spout up water, it is like a light shining, either with the froth or the light of the sun shining through it, Job 41:18. The eyes of the whale are reported to shine in the night-time like a flame, or, as here, like the eye-lids of the morning; the same they say of the crocodile. The breath of this creature is so hot and fiery, from the great natural heat within, that burning lamps and sparks of fire, smoke and a flame, are said to go out of his mouth, even such as one would think sufficient to set coals on fire, Job 41:19-21. Probably these hyperbolical expressions are used concerning the leviathan to intimate the terror of the wrath of God, for that is it which all this is designed to convince us of. Fire out of his mouth devours, Psa 18:7, Psa 18:8. The breath of the Almighty, like a stream of brimstone, kindles Tophet, and will for ever keep it burning, Isa 30:33. The wicked one shall be consumed with the breath of his mouth, Th2 2:8. (4.) He is of invincible strength and most terrible fierceness, so that he frightens all that come in his way, but is not himself frightened by any. Take a view of his neck, and there remains strength, Job 41:22. his head and his body are well set together. Sorrow rejoices (or rides in triumph) before him, for he makes terrible work wherever he comes. Or, Those storms which are the sorrow of others are his joys; what is tossing to others is dancing to him. His flesh is well knit, Job 41:23. The flakes of it are joined so closely together, and are so firm, that it is hard to pierce it; he is as if he were all bone. His flesh is of brass, which Job had complained his was not, Job 6:12. His heart is as firm as a stone, Job 41:24. He has spirit equal to his bodily strength, and, though he is bulky, he is sprightly, and not unwieldy. As his flesh and skin cannot be pierced, so his courage cannot be daunted; but, on the contrary, he daunts all he meets and puts them into a consternation (Job 41:25): When he raises up himself like a moving mountain in the great waters even the mighty are afraid lest he should overturn their ships or do them some other mischief. By reason of the breakings he makes in the water, which threaten death, they purify themselves, confess their sins, betake themselves to their prayers, and get ready for death. We read (Job 3:8) of those who, when they raise up a leviathan, are in such a fright that they curse the day. It was a fear which, it seems, used to drive some to their curses and others to their prayers; for, as now, so then there were seafaring men of different characters and on whom the terrors of the sea have contrary effects; but all agree there is a great fright among them when the leviathan raises up himself. (5.) All the instruments of slaughter that are used against him do him no hurt and therefore are not error to him, Job 41:26-29. The sword and the spear, which wound nigh at hand, are nothing to him; the darts, arrows, and sling-stones, which wound at a distance, do him no damage; nature has so well armed him cap-a-pie - at all points, against them all. The defensive weapons which men use when they engage with the leviathan, as the habergeon, or breast-plate, often serve men no more than their offensive weapons; iron and brass are to him as straw and rotten wood, and he laughs at them. It is the picture of a hard-hearted sinner, that despises the terrors of the Almighty and laughs at all the threatenings of his word. The leviathan so little dreads the weapons that are used against him that, to show how hardy he is, he chooses to lie on the sharp stones, the sharp-pointed things (Job 41:30), and lies as easy there as if he lay on the soft mire. Those that would endure hardness must inure themselves to it. (6.) His very motion in the water troubles it and puts it into a ferment, Job 41:31, Job 41:32. When he rolls, and tosses, and makes a stir in the water, or is in pursuit of his prey, he makes the deep to boil like a pot, he raises a great froth and foam upon the water, such as is upon a boiling pot, especially a pot of boiling ointment; and he makes a path to shine after him, which even a ship in the midst of the sea does not, Pro 30:19. One may trace the leviathan under water by the bubbles on the surface; and yet who can take that advantage against him in pursuing him? Men track hares in the snow and kill them, but he that tracks the leviathan dares not come near him.
2.Having given this particular account of his parts, and his power, and his comely proportion, he concludes with four things in general concerning this animal: - (1.) That he is a non-such among the inferior creatures: Upon earth there is not his like, Job 41:33. No creature in this world is comparable to him for strength and terror. Or the earth is here distinguished from the sea: His dominion is not upon the earth (so some), but in the waters. None of all the savage creatures upon earth come near him for bulk and strength, and it is well for man that he is confined to the waters and there has a watch set upon him (Job 7:12) by the divine Providence, for, if such a terrible creature were allowed to roam and ravage upon this earth, it would be an unsafe and uncomfortable habitation for the children of men, for whom it is intended. (2.) That he is more bold and daring than any other creature whatsoever: He is made without fear. The creatures are as they are made; the leviathan has courage in his constitution, nothing can frighten him; other creatures, quite contrary, seem as much designed for flying as this for fighting. So, among men, some are in their natural temper bold, others are timorous. (3.) That he is himself very proud; though lodged in the deep, yet he beholds all high things, Job 41:34. The rolling waves, the impending rocks, the hovering clouds, and the ships under sail with top and top-gallant, this mighty animal beholds with contempt, for he does not think they either lessen him or threaten him. Those that are great are apt to be scornful. (4.) That he is a king over all the children of pride, that is, he is the proudest of all proud ones. He has more to be proud of (so Mr. Caryl expounds it) than the proudest people in the world have; and so it is a mortification to the haughtiness and lofty looks of men. Whatever bodily accomplishments men are proud of, and puffed up with, the leviathan excels them and is a king over them. Some read it so as to understand it of God: He that beholds all high things, even he, is King over all the children of pride; he can tame the behemoth (Job 40:19) and the leviathan, big as they are, and stout-hearted as they are. This discourse concerning those two animals was brought in to prove that it is God only who can look upon proud men and abase them, bring them low and tread them down, and hide them in the dust (Job 40:11-13), and so it concludes with a quod erat demonstrandum - which was to be demonstrated; there is one that beholds all high things, and, wherein men deal proudly, is above them; he is King over all the children of pride, whether brutal or rational, and can make them all either bend or break before him, Isa 2:11. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and thus the Lord alone shall be exalted.
These scales of sinners are both hardened and joined together, so as not to be penetrated by any breath of life from the mouth of preachers. For those whom a similar guilt associates with one another, the same perverse defensiveness crowds them together in obstinate agreement, in order that they may protect each other with mutual defense for their sins. For everyone fears for himself when he beholds another admonished or corrected. Therefore, he arises with similar defensiveness against the words of those who reprove, because, in protecting another, he protects himself. It is thus well said, “One is so near to another that no air can come between them,” because while they mutually shield each other in their iniquities by their proud defense, they do not permit the breath of holy exhortation to reach them in any way. He added more plainly to their deadly agreement by saying, “They are joined one to another; they clasp each other and cannot be separated.” For they who might be corrected if divided, persevere when united in the obstinacy of their iniquity. They are day by day the more easily separable from the knowledge of righteousness, the more they are not mutually separated from each other by any reproach.
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SUMMARY
Job 41:16 offers a striking depiction of Leviathan's impenetrable armor, stating that its scales are "so near to another, that no air can come between them." This vivid imagery underscores the creature's formidable invincibility, serving as a powerful testament to God's unparalleled creative genius and absolute sovereignty over even the most terrifying and untamable forces in creation. Within God's discourse to Job, this verse contributes to the divine strategy of humbling Job by revealing the vastness of God's power and wisdom, far exceeding human comprehension or control.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Job 41:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is Hyperbole, as the statement that "no air can come between them" is a deliberate exaggeration designed to emphasize the absolute tightness, impermeability, and invulnerability of Leviathan's scales. This overstatement vividly communicates the creature's unassailable nature in a way that a literal description alone might not. Furthermore, the detailed description of Leviathan's scales functions as a powerful Metaphor and Symbolism. The physical attributes of the creature, particularly its unbreachable armor, symbolize God's own unchallengeable power, wisdom, and absolute sovereignty over all creation, including the most chaotic and seemingly untamable forces. Leviathan itself becomes a potent symbol of the untamed, unconquerable aspects of creation that only God can control. The meticulous, almost engineering-like description of the scales also subtly employs Imagery, appealing directly to the reader's visual imagination to conjure a vivid picture of a creature encased in a flawless, living shield.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 41:16, through its description of Leviathan's impenetrable hide, serves as a profound theological statement about the nature of God's power and His relationship to creation. The creature's invulnerability highlights God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating that He not only created but also perfectly designed and controls even the most fearsome and chaotic elements of the world. This challenges any human presumption of control or understanding, forcing Job (and the reader) to confront the vast chasm between finite human wisdom and infinite divine wisdom. It underscores that God's power is not merely brute force but also encompasses meticulous design and perfect execution, even in aspects of creation that appear wild or terrifying. The inability of anything to penetrate Leviathan's armor points to the unassailable nature of God's own being and purposes, reminding us that His plans are unthwartable and His reign is secure.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 41:16 invites us to stand in profound awe of a God whose creative power and meticulous design extend even to the most formidable and seemingly uncontrollable aspects of His creation. In a world where we often feel overwhelmed by forces beyond our control—whether natural disasters, societal chaos, personal suffering, or the sheer complexity of life—this verse serves as a powerful reminder that there is a Creator who is infinitely more powerful and perfectly in control of all things. It calls us to a posture of deep humility, acknowledging our limited understanding and finite capacity in comparison to God's boundless wisdom and might. Rather than striving to conquer or fully comprehend every challenge, we are invited to trust in the One who holds all things together, even the "Leviathans" of our lives. This perspective can bring profound peace and security, knowing that the God who meticulously designed an impenetrable hide for a creature like Leviathan is the same God who orchestrates every detail of our lives, providing a security and purpose that transcends our immediate circumstances. It encourages us to surrender our anxieties and fears to His sovereign care, finding refuge in His unassailable power and perfect wisdom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is Leviathan a literal creature or a symbolic one?
Answer: The interpretation of Leviathan in Job 41:16 and the broader chapter has been a subject of scholarly debate. Some scholars suggest it refers to a real, albeit extinct or rare, powerful aquatic creature (like a large crocodile or whale), described with significant hyperbolic embellishment. However, the more fantastic elements of the description (e.g., breathing fire and smoke in Job 41:18-21) lean heavily towards a symbolic or mythical interpretation, or at least a highly stylized depiction of a real creature. Most biblical scholars view Leviathan primarily as a symbolic representation of chaotic, untamable power, designed to illustrate God's absolute and unchallenged sovereignty over all creation, including forces beyond human control. It functions as a powerful rhetorical device within God's speech to Job, rather than a precise zoological classification.
What is the main theological purpose of describing Leviathan's scales in such detail?
Answer: The detailed description of Leviathan's scales in Job 41:16 serves to emphasize the creature's absolute invulnerability and, by extension, the unparalleled power and meticulous design of its Creator. If a creature's armor is so perfectly fitted "that no air can come between them," it signifies that no human weapon or force can possibly overcome it. This extreme invincibility highlights the vast chasm between human weakness and God's infinite strength and wisdom. The theological purpose is to humble Job and the reader, demonstrating that if humanity cannot even contend with one of God's most formidable creatures, how much less can they contend with God Himself or fully comprehend His divine wisdom, justice, and sovereign purposes. It powerfully reinforces God's unchallengeable sovereignty over all creation, including the forces of chaos and disorder that might otherwise seem threatening or uncontrollable to humanity.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 41:16 speaks of God's sovereignty over a formidable creature like Leviathan, its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning are found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Leviathan, as a symbol of untamed power, chaos, and perhaps even the forces of evil, points forward to the spiritual "Leviathans"—sin, death, and the devil—that hold humanity captive. Just as God effortlessly controls Leviathan, Christ, as God incarnate, demonstrates ultimate dominion over all spiritual powers. The impenetrable armor of Leviathan foreshadows the unassailable victory of Christ on the cross and His resurrection, where He disarmed the powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it (Colossians 2:15). The One who created and controls the most fearsome beasts is the same One who, in Christ, has conquered the ultimate enemies of humanity, binding the "strong man" and plundering his house (Matthew 12:29). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has rendered powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14), liberating those who were held in slavery by their fear of death. Thus, the awe inspired by Leviathan's might in Job 41:16 finds its supreme expression in the worship of Christ, who is now seated at the right hand of God in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named (Ephesians 1:20-22). He is the true conqueror of chaos, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), offering ultimate security and peace to all who trust in His unchallengeable reign.