TRV
Translation
King James Version
Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
KJV (with Strong's)
Will he make many H7235 supplications H8469 unto thee? will he speak H1696 soft H7390 words unto thee?
American Standard Version
Will he make many supplications unto thee? Or will he speak soft words unto thee?
World English Bible Messianic
Will he make many petitions to you, or will he speak soft words to you?
Geneva Bible (1599)
I will not keepe silence concerning his partes, nor his power nor his comely proportion.
Young's Literal Translation
Doth he multiply unto thee supplications? Doth he speak unto thee tender things?
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In the KJVVerse 13,892 of 31,102
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Commentary on Job 41 verses 1–10
1 ¶ Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
3 Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
4 Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
5 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
6 Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?
7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?
8 Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.
9 Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?
Whether this leviathan be a whale or a crocodile is a great dispute among the learned, which I will not undertake to determine; some of the particulars agree more easily to the one, others to the other; both are very strong and fierce, and the power of the Creator appears in them. The ingenious Sir Richard Blackmore, though he admits the more received opinion concerning the behemoth, that it must be meant of the elephant, yet agrees with the learned Bochart's notion of the leviathan, that it is the crocodile, which was so well known in the river of Egypt. I confess that that which inclines me rather to understand it of the whale is not only because it is much larger and a nobler animal, but because, in the history of the Creation, there is such an express notice taken of it as is not of any other species of animals whatsoever (Gen 1:21, God created great whales), by which it appears, not only that whales were well known in those parts in the time of Moses, who lived a little after Job, but that the creation of whales was generally looked upon as a most illustrious proof of the eternal power and godhead of the Creator; and we may conjecture that this was the reason (for otherwise it seems unaccountable) why Moses there so particularly mentions the creation of the whales, because God had so lately insisted upon the bulk and strength of that creature than of any other, as the proof of his power; and the leviathan is here spoken of as an inhabitant of the sea (Job 41:31), which the crocodile is not; and Psa 104:25, Psa 104:26, there in the great and wide sea, is that leviathan. Here in these verses,
I. He shows how unable Job was to master the leviathan. 1. That he could not catch him, as a little fish, with angling, Job 41:1, Job 41:2. He had no bait wherewith to deceive him, no hook wherewith to catch him, no fish-line wherewith to draw him out of the water, nor a thorn to run through his gills, on which to carry him home. 2. That he could not make him his prisoner, nor force him to cry for quarter, or surrender himself at discretion, Job 41:3, Job 41:4. "He knows his own strength too well to make many supplications to thee, and to make a covenant with thee to be thy servant on condition thou wilt save his life." 3. That he could not entice him into a cage, and keep him there as a bird for the children to play with, Job 41:5. There are creatures so little, so weak, as to be easily restrained thus, and triumphed over; but the leviathan is not one of these: he is made to be the terror, not the sport and diversion, of mankind. 4. That he could not have him served up to his table; he and his companions could not make a banquet of him; his flesh is too strong to be fit for food, and, if it were not, he is not easily caught. 5. That they could not enrich themselves with the spoil of him: Shall they part him among the merchants, the bones to one, the oil to another? If they can catch him, they will; but it is probable that the art of fishing for whales was not brought to perfection then, as it has been since. 6. That they could not destroy him, could not fill his head with fish-spears, Job 41:7. He kept out of the reach of their instruments of slaughter, or, if they touched him, they could not touch him to the quick. 7. That it was to no purpose to attempt it: The hope of taking him is in vain, Job 41:9. If men go about to seize him, so formidable is he that the very sight of him will appal them, and make a stout man ready to faint away: Shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him? and will not that deter the pursuers from their attempt? Job is told, at his peril, to lay his hand upon him, Job 41:8. "Touch him if thou dare; remember the battle, how unable thou art to encounter such a force, and what is therefore likely to be the issue of the battle, and do no more, but desist from the attempt." It is good to remember the battle before we engage in a war, and put off the harness in time if we foresee it will be to no purpose to gird it on. Job is hereby admonished not to proceed in his controversy with God, but to make his peace with him, remembering what the battle will certainly end in if he come to an engagement. See Isa 27:4, Isa 27:5.
II. Thence he infers how unable he was to contend with the Almighty. None is so fierce, none so fool-hardy, that he dares to stir up the leviathan (Job 41:10), it being known that he will certainly be too hard for them; and who then is able to stand before God, either to impeach and arraign his proceedings or to out-face the power of his wrath? If the inferior creatures that are put under the feet of man, and over whom he has dominion, keep us in awe thus, how terrible must the majesty of our great Lord be, who has a sovereign dominion over us and against whom man has been so long in rebellion! Who can stand before him when once he is angry?
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–10. Public domain.
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Olympiodorus of AlexandriaAD 600
COMMENTARY ON JOB 40:22-23
He said this because the demons asked the Lord not to cast them into the abyss, or because Satan said to Christ, “I will give you all these things.” Will he now, he says, implore you with a soft speech? Will he make a covenant with you, and will he stop fighting his war against you?
Gregory the DialogistAD 604
27. Thou understandest, As to Me. For if these words are referred to the person of the Son, he spake soft words to Him Incarnate, when he said, I know Thee, Who Thou art, the Holy One of God. [Luke 4, 34] And this Leviathan multiplied prayers to Him, when he said by the legion which was subject to him; If Thou cast us out, send us into the herd of swine. [Matt. 8, 31] Although it can be understood in a still more plain manner, because he multiplies prayers to the Lord, when the wicked, who are his body, pray, on the day of the last judgment, that they may be spared; when his members, that is, the reprobate, cry out too late, and say, Lord, Lord, open unto us. To whom it is said immediately, I know you not, whence ye are. [Luke 13, 25] Then also he will say by his members soft words to the Lord, when many of his body are about to say, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name, and in Thy Name have cast out devils, and in Thy Name have done many wonderful works? [Matt. 7, 22] They say soft words in deprecation, when they say in reply what they have done in His Name, but when they did these very deeds with hard heart, they claimed them for their own credit. Whence they shortly hear, I know you not, who ye are. It follows;
Ver. 23. Will he make a covenant with thee? Thou understandest, As with Me.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Job 41:3 presents a profound rhetorical challenge from God to Job, questioning the very possibility of humanity subduing, reasoning with, or compelling submission from the formidable creature Leviathan. This verse, embedded within God's climactic discourse in the book of Job, powerfully underscores Leviathan's untamable nature and, by extension, God's absolute, unparalleled sovereignty over all creation, including its most fearsome and chaotic elements. It serves to confront Job's limited understanding, implicitly asking: if humanity cannot even control Leviathan, how can it presume to contend with or question the Almighty Creator of such an awe-inspiring being?
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Job 41:3 is situated within God's second and final speech to Job, which spans chapters 38-41. Following a detailed description of the powerful land creature Behemoth in Job 40, God shifts His focus to Leviathan, a terrifying sea creature. This divine monologue serves as God's direct and climactic response to Job's complaints and challenges concerning divine justice and governance. The vivid descriptions of both Behemoth and Leviathan are not merely zoological lessons but function as powerful object lessons designed to illustrate God's immense power and Job's profound limitations. The series of rhetorical questions posed in Job 41:1-11 are all crafted to highlight humanity's utter inability to control this creature, thereby setting the stage for the undeniable conclusion that only God possesses such power. This section aims to humble Job and lead him to a place of awe, reverence, and submission before the Creator.
Historical & Cultural Context: In the ancient Near East, large, powerful, and often chaotic creatures, particularly those associated with the sea, frequently symbolized forces beyond human control or even cosmic disorder. While scholarly debate continues regarding whether Leviathan represents a literal creature (such as a large crocodile or whale) or a mythological composite, the biblical text presents it as a real, albeit extraordinary, animal that embodies untamed power. Cultures like the Canaanites had myths of a primordial sea monster (often named Yam or Lotan) that was subdued by a prominent deity (like Baal), reflecting a cultural desire to explain divine control over chaos. In the biblical worldview, however, the emphasis is not on a struggle between deities but on the singular, effortless, and unchallengeable sovereignty of Yahweh over all creation, including any creature, real or symbolic, that might represent the apex of natural power and wildness. The very idea of making "supplications" or speaking "soft words" to such a creature would have been perceived as utterly absurd in this cultural context, reinforcing Leviathan's fearsome and untamable reputation.
Key Themes: The primary theme powerfully illuminated by Job 41:3 is the unchallengeable sovereignty of God. Through the vivid portrayal of Leviathan's untamable nature, God emphatically demonstrates His absolute control over all creation, even its most formidable and chaotic elements. This directly addresses Job's attempts to question divine justice and power, redirecting his focus from his suffering to God's omnipotence. Another crucial theme is human helplessness and limitation when contrasted with divine omnipotence. If a human cannot compel Leviathan to submit, make peace, or offer supplication, how much less can they contend with or understand the Creator of such a creature? This highlights the vast chasm between finite human capabilities and boundless divine power, leading to a call for humility and awe before the Almighty, as powerfully demonstrated in Job's eventual response in Job 42:1-6. The description of Leviathan also contributes to the theme of the inscrutability of God's ways, suggesting that there are aspects of creation and divine governance that are beyond human comprehension, urging trust rather than demanding explanation.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Job 41:3 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is Rhetorical Question, where God poses questions not to elicit information, but to make an emphatic point, implying an obvious negative answer. These questions are designed to expose Job's limited perspective and humanity's inherent inability to control even a part of creation, let alone its omnipotent Creator. Personification is subtly present, as Leviathan is implicitly attributed with human-like actions (making supplications, speaking soft words) only for these possibilities to be immediately denied, thereby highlighting its non-human, untamable nature. This denial serves as a form of Antithesis, sharply contrasting the expected human interaction with a powerful entity (pleading, negotiation) with Leviathan's absolute refusal to engage in such ways. The cumulative effect of these devices is to emphasize the creature's immense power and untamable will, thereby magnifying God's own unparalleled sovereignty over such a being.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 41:3, within the broader context of God's discourse on Leviathan, serves as a profound theological statement on the absolute and unchallengeable sovereignty of God over all creation, including the most fearsome and chaotic elements. It humbles humanity by demonstrating our inherent limitations and incapacity to control even a creature of God's making. The inability to compel Leviathan's submission or to negotiate with it underscores the vast chasm between finite human power and infinite divine omnipotence. This realization should lead to a posture of awe, reverence, and trust in God's wisdom and control, rather than questioning His ways or demanding explanations for suffering. The untamed nature of Leviathan becomes a powerful metaphor for the untamed mysteries of God's governance, which are ultimately under His sovereign hand.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 41:3 invites us to adopt a posture of profound humility and awe before God. In a world that often seeks control, understanding, and mastery over all things, this verse serves as a potent reminder that there are inherent limits to human power and comprehension. Just as Job was brought to a place of repentance and worship by contemplating God's power over creation, we too are called to recognize our finite nature in comparison to the infinite God. When faced with overwhelming circumstances, "untamable" challenges, or seemingly chaotic elements in our lives—whether they be personal struggles, societal injustices, or global crises—this passage encourages us to shift our focus from our inability to control to God's absolute and unwavering sovereignty. It reminds us that the God who effortlessly commands Leviathan is the very same God who holds our lives, and indeed all of creation, securely in His hands. Our struggles to understand or control our circumstances should lead us not to despair or complaint, but to a deeper, more profound trust in His wisdom, power, and perfect plan, even when it remains beyond our immediate grasp.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is Leviathan a literal creature or a mythical symbol?
Answer: While the exact zoological identification of Leviathan remains a subject of considerable debate among scholars, the biblical text in Job 41 presents it as a real, albeit extraordinary, creature of immense power and ferocity. The detailed physical descriptions throughout the chapter suggest a tangible being that was recognizable in some form to Job's audience. However, its symbolic significance as the epitome of untamed power and chaos is undeniable. Whether a specific animal (like a Nile crocodile or a large whale) or a composite of the most terrifying aspects of creation, its primary purpose in the book of Job is to serve as a powerful object lesson in God's unparalleled sovereignty over all things, both natural and seemingly chaotic.
Why does God spend so much time describing creatures like Behemoth and Leviathan to Job?
Answer: God's detailed descriptions of Behemoth in Job 40 and Leviathan in Job 41 are far more than mere natural history lessons; their primary purpose is profoundly theological and rhetorical. God uses these creatures, which are demonstrably beyond human control and comprehension, to humble Job and vividly demonstrate His own infinite power, wisdom, and sovereignty over all creation. The implicit argument is clear: if Job cannot even contend with or control these fearsome creatures, how can he presume to contend with or fully understand the Creator of all things? This serves to put Job's complaints and challenges into proper perspective, ultimately leading him to a place of awe, repentance, and trust in God's inscrutable ways, as powerfully articulated in Job 42:1-6.
What is the main takeaway from God's challenge about Leviathan in Job 41?
Answer: The main takeaway from God's challenge about Leviathan in Job 41, particularly highlighted by Job 41:3, is the absolute and unchallengeable sovereignty of God. It underscores the vast, infinite chasm between finite human power and infinite divine power. Humanity's utter inability to subdue or negotiate with such a creature serves as a vivid and undeniable illustration of our limitations when contrasted with God, who effortlessly created and controls all things, even the most fearsome and chaotic elements of His creation. This passage ultimately calls for profound humility, reverent awe, and unwavering trust in God's wisdom and power, even when His ways are beyond our full understanding.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 41:3 speaks of God's majestic sovereignty over creation through the untamable Leviathan, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's power and dominion. The power demonstrated by God in effortlessly commanding Leviathan foreshadows the ultimate authority of Christ, who not only created all things—visible and invisible, including "thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities" (Colossians 1:16)—but also exercises sovereign control over all forces, both natural and spiritual. Just as Leviathan could not be reasoned with or subdued by human strength, so too are the forces of sin, death, and evil utterly beyond humanity's capacity to conquer. Yet, Christ, the true King, demonstrated His mastery over nature by calming the storm with a mere word (Mark 4:39), and more profoundly, He triumphed over the ultimate "Leviathan" of spiritual chaos—Satan, sin, and death—through His crucifixion and glorious resurrection (Colossians 2:15). Therefore, the rhetorical questions of Job 41:3, highlighting humanity's helplessness before a powerful creature, ultimately point to the One who has been given "all authority in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18), the only one to whom all creation, and indeed all spiritual forces, must make supplication and speak soft words, willingly or unwillingly.