Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as [out] of a seething pot or caldron.
Out of his nostrils {H5156} goeth {H3318} smoke {H6227}, as out of a seething {H5301} pot {H1731} or caldron {H100}.
His nostrils belch steam like a caldron boiling on the fire.
Smoke billows from his nostrils as from a boiling pot over burning reeds.
Out of his nostrils a smoke goeth, As of a boiling pot and burning rushes.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
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Jeremiah 1:13
And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof [is] toward the north. -
Jeremiah 1:14
Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.
Job 41:20 offers a vivid and awe-inspiring description of Leviathan, a formidable creature presented by God to Job to illustrate divine power and unchallengeable sovereignty. The verse paints a striking image of the beast's fearsome breath.
Context of Job 41:20
This verse is found within God's powerful discourse to Job, which begins in Job chapter 38. After Job has questioned God's justice and wisdom, the Lord responds not by directly addressing Job's complaints, but by overwhelming him with a display of His infinite power and wisdom in creation. God challenges Job to consider His might by describing two magnificent creatures: Behemoth (Job 40:15-24) and Leviathan. The detailed portrayal of Leviathan's terrifying attributes, including the smoke from its nostrils, serves to humble Job and demonstrate that if he cannot even contend with God's creatures, how much less can he contend with the Creator Himself.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "nostrils" is appiym (אף), which can also carry connotations of anger or wrath, especially when associated with smoke or fire, intensifying the image of Leviathan's formidable presence. The "smoke" is 'ashan (עָשָׁן), a common term. The comparison to a "seething pot or caldron" uses the words sir (סִיר), a cooking pot, and 'agmon (אַגְמוֹן), which can refer to a reed or rush, but in this context, often denotes a boiling vessel or a marsh-plant used as fuel. The simile evokes intense heat, pressure, and the furious bubbling of a pot, vividly portraying the power and heat emanating from Leviathan's breath.
Practical Application
Job 41:20, and the broader description of Leviathan, serves as a powerful reminder for us today to stand in awe of God's immense power. In a world that often attempts to explain away or diminish God, this passage calls us to acknowledge our true place before an infinite and all-powerful Creator. It encourages humility, trust, and worship. When we face our own challenges, fears, or uncertainties, remembering the God who formed and controls a creature as mighty as Leviathan should inspire greater faith in His ability to manage all things and to trust His perfect plan, even when we do not fully understand it. This understanding aligns with the declaration in Jeremiah 32:17, "Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee."