### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **bᵉhêmôwth**, represented by `{{H930}}`, refers to a great creature, often identified as a "water-ox" or hippopotamus. Though it has a plural form, it is used as a singular noun. This unique word appears only **1 time** in **1 verse** in the entire Bible, marking it as a highly specific and significant term.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H930}}` is in the book of Job, where God addresses Job from the whirlwind. God presents **Behemoth** as a prime example of His creative power, saying, "Behold now **behemoth**, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox" [[Job 40:15]]. In this context, the creature serves as a lesson in humility, a being of immense scale and power that is nevertheless a part of God's creation, just as humanity is.
### Related Words & Concepts
The description of `{{H930}}` in its only verse links it to several key Hebrew words:
* `{{H6213}}` **ʻâsâh** (to do or make): This verb emphasizes that Behemoth is a created being, directly fashioned by God. It is used broadly in scripture to describe God's work, such as when He **made** the heaven and the earth [[Jeremiah 32:17]].
* `{{H398}}` **ʼâkal** (to eat): This describes the creature's simple, herbivorous nature. The verb is used for both literal and figurative consumption, from the prohibition to **eat** of the tree of knowledge [[Genesis 2:17]] to the joy of partaking in God's words [[Jeremiah 15:16]].
* `{{H2682}}` **châtsîyr** (grass): This specifies Behemoth's diet, placing it within the natural order of herbivores. This word is often used metaphorically to represent the fleeting nature of human life, which withers like **grass** [[Isaiah 40:8]].
* `{{H1241}}` **bâqâr** (beef cattle or an animal of the ox family): The comparison of Behemoth's eating habits to that of an **ox** provides a familiar reference point for its behavior. Oxen were a common measure of wealth and a key part of agricultural life, as seen in Job's own possessions [[Job 1:3]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H930}}` is concentrated in its singular, dramatic appearance in the book of Job.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** Behemoth is presented by God as evidence of His unparalleled creative power. The statement "which I **made** with thee" [[Job 40:15]] asserts God's authority over all creation, including beings of unimaginable strength.
* **A Lesson in Humility:** By confronting Job with this creature, God illustrates the limits of human understanding and control. Behemoth represents a power in the natural world that man cannot tame, reminding Job of his place before the Creator.
* **The Nature of Creation:** The description of Behemoth highlights a key aspect of God's design: a mighty creature sustained by a simple diet of **grass**, just like an **ox** [[Job 40:15]]. This demonstrates the intricate and sometimes paradoxical order within the created world.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H930}}` is a singular term whose significance far outweighs its frequency. Appearing only once, it functions as a powerful theological symbol within the discourse of Job. Behemoth is not merely an animal but an argument for God's absolute creative power, a living testament to a divine order that transcends human comprehension and control. Its brief mention serves as a pivotal lesson on sovereignty, humility, and the majesty of creation.
TRV