1 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,
2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
3 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
5 Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
6 Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
7 Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
9 Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
10 Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
11 Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
12 Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
13 Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
14 Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
15 Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
16 Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
17 He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
18 His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
19 He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.
20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
21 He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
22 The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.
23 Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.
24 He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
1 Moreover the LORD H3068 answered H6030 Job, H347 and said, H559
2 Shall he that contendeth H7378 with the Almighty H7706 instruct H3250 him? he that reproveth H3198 God, H433 let him answer H6030 it.
3 Then Job H347 answered H6030 the LORD, H3068 and said, H559
4 Behold, I am vile; H7043 what shall I answer H7725 thee? I will lay H7760 mine hand H3027 upon H3926 my mouth. H6310
5 Once H259 have I spoken; H1696 but I will not answer: H6030 yea, twice; H8147 but I will proceed no further. H3254
6 Then answered H6030 the LORD H3068 unto Job H347 out of the whirlwind, H5591 and said, H559
7 Gird up H247 thy loins H2504 now like a man: H1397 I will demand H7592 of thee, and declare H3045 thou unto me.
8 Wilt thou also disannul H6565 my judgment? H4941 wilt thou condemn H7561 me, that thou mayest be righteous? H6663
9 Hast thou an arm H2220 like God? H410 or canst thou thunder H7481 with a voice H6963 like him?
10 Deck H5710 thyself now with majesty H1347 and excellency; H1363 and array H3847 thyself with glory H1935 and beauty. H1926
11 Cast abroad H6327 the rage H5678 of thy wrath: H639 and behold H7200 every one that is proud, H1343 and abase H8213 him.
12 Look H7200 on every one that is proud, H1343 and bring him low; H3665 and tread down H1915 the wicked H7563 in their place.
13 Hide H2934 them in the dust H6083 together; H3162 and bind H2280 their faces H6440 in secret. H2934
14 Then will I also confess H3034 unto thee that thine own right hand H3225 can save H3467 thee.
15 Behold now behemoth, H930 which I made H6213 with thee; he eateth H398 grass H2682 as an ox. H1241
16 Lo now, his strength H3581 is in his loins, H4975 and his force H202 is in the navel H8306 of his belly. H990
17 He moveth H2654 his tail H2180 like a cedar: H730 the sinews H1517 of his stones H6344 are wrapped together. H8276
18 His bones H6106 are as strong H650 pieces of brass; H5154 his bones H1634 are like bars H4300 of iron. H1270
19 He is the chief H7225 of the ways H1870 of God: H410 he that made H6213 him can make H5066 his sword H2719 to approach H5066 unto him.
20 Surely the mountains H2022 bring him forth H5375 food, H944 where all the beasts H2416 of the field H7704 play. H7832
21 He lieth H7901 under the shady trees, H6628 in the covert H5643 of the reed, H7070 and fens. H1207
22 The shady trees H6628 cover H5526 him with their shadow; H6752 the willows H6155 of the brook H5158 compass him about. H5437
23 Behold, he drinketh up H6231 a river, H5104 and hasteth H2648 not: he trusteth H982 that he can draw up H1518 Jordan H3383 into his mouth. H6310
24 He taketh H3947 it with his eyes: H5869 his nose H639 pierceth through H5344 snares. H4170
1 Moreover Jehovah answered Job, and said,
2 Shall he that cavilleth contend with the Almighty? He that argueth with God, let him answer it.
3 Then Job answered Jehovah, and said,
4 Behold, I am of small account; What shall I answer thee? I lay my hand upon my mouth.
5 Once have I spoken, and I will not answer; Yea, twice, but I will proceed no further.
6 Then Jehovah answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
7 Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
8 Wilt thou even annul my judgment? Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be justified?
9 Or hast thou an arm like God? And canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
10 Deck thyself now with excellency and dignity; And array thyself with honor and majesty.
11 Pour forth the overflowings of thine anger; And look upon every one that is proud, and abase him.
12 Look on every one that is proud, `and' bring him low; And tread down the wicked where they stand.
13 Hide them in the dust together; Bind their faces in the hidden `place'.
14 Then will I also confess of thee That thine own right hand can save thee.
15 Behold now, behemoth, which I made as well as thee; He eateth grass as an ox.
16 Lo now, his strength is in his loins, And his force is in the muscles of his belly.
17 He moveth his tail like a cedar: The sinews of his thighs are knit together.
18 His bones are `as' tubes of brass; His limbs are like bars of iron.
19 He is the chief of the ways of God: He `only' that made him giveth him his sword.
20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, Where all the beasts of the field do play.
21 He lieth under the lotus-trees, In the covert of the reed, and the fen.
22 The lotus-trees cover him with their shade; The willows of the brook compass him about.
23 Behold, if a river overflow, he trembleth not; He is confident, though a Jordan swell even to his mouth.
24 Shall any take him when he is on the watch, Or pierce through his nose with a snare?
1 And Jehovah doth answer Job, and saith: --
2 Is the striver with the Mighty instructed? The reprover of God, let him answer it.
3 And Job answereth Jehovah, and saith: --
4 Lo, I have been vile, What do I return to Thee? My hand I have placed on my mouth.
5 Once I have spoken, and I answer not, And twice, and I add not.
6 And Jehovah answereth Job out of the whirlwind, and saith: --
7 Gird, I pray thee, as a man, thy loins, I ask thee, and cause thou Me to know.
8 Dost thou also make void My judgment? Dost thou condemn Me, That thou mayest be righteous?
9 And an arm like God hast thou? And with a voice like Him dost thou thunder?
10 Put on, I pray thee, excellency and loftiness, Yea, honour and beauty put on.
11 Scatter abroad the wrath of thine anger, And see every proud one, and make him low.
12 See every proud one -- humble him, And tread down the wicked in their place.
13 Hide them in the dust together, Their faces bind in secret.
14 And even I -- I do praise thee, For thy right hand giveth salvation to thee.
15 Lo, I pray thee, Behemoth, that I made with thee: Grass as an ox he eateth.
16 Lo, I pray thee, his power `is' in his loins, And his strength in the muscles of his belly.
17 He doth bend his tail as a cedar, The sinews of his thighs are wrapped together,
18 His bones `are' tubes of brass, His bones `are' as a bar of iron.
19 He `is' a beginning of the ways of God, His Maker bringeth nigh his sword;
20 For food do mountains bear for him, And all the beasts of the field play there.
21 Under shades he lieth down, In a secret place of reed and mire.
22 Cover him do shades, `with' their shadow, Cover him do willows of the brook.
23 Lo, a flood oppresseth -- he doth not haste, He is confident though Jordan Doth come forth unto his mouth.
24 Before his eyes doth `one' take him, With snares doth `one' pierce the nose?
1 And Jehovah answered Job and said,
2 Shall he that will contend with the Almighty instruct [him]? he that reproveth +God, let him answer it.
3 And Job answered Jehovah and said,
4 Behold, I am nought: what shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth.
5 Once have I spoken, and I will not answer; yea twice, but I will proceed no further.
6 And Jehovah answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,
7 Gird up now thy loins like a man: I will demand of thee, and inform thou me.
8 Wilt thou also annul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me that thou mayest be righteous?
9 Hast thou an arm like ùGod? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
10 Deck thyself now with glory and excellency, and clothe thyself with majesty and splendour.
11 Cast abroad the ragings of thine anger, and look on every one that is proud, and abase him:
12 Look on every one that is proud, bring him low, and tread down the wicked in their place:
13 Hide them in the dust together; bind their faces in secret.
14 Then will I also praise thee, because thy right hand saveth thee.
15 See now the behemoth, which I made with thee: he eateth grass as an ox.
16 Behold now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the muscles of his belly.
17 He bendeth his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are woven together.
18 His bones are tubes of bronze, his members are like bars of iron.
19 He is the chief of ùGod's ways: he that made him gave him his sword.
20 For the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
21 He lieth under lotus-bushes, in the covert of the reed and fen:
22 Lotus-bushes cover him with their shade; the willows of the brook surround him.
23 Lo, the river overfloweth -- he startleth not: he is confident though a Jordan break forth against his mouth.
24 Shall he be taken in front? will they pierce through [his] nose in the trap?
1 Moreover Yahweh answered Job,
2 "Shall he who argues contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it."
3 Then Job answered Yahweh,
4 "Behold, I am of small account. What shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.
5 I have spoken once, and I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further."
6 Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind,
7 "Now brace yourself like a man. I will question you, and you will answer me.
8 Will you even annul my judgment? Will you condemn me, that you may be justified?
9 Or have you an arm like God? Can you thunder with a voice like him?
10 "Now deck yourself with excellency and dignity. Array yourself with honor and majesty.
11 Pour forth the fury of your anger. Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low.
12 Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him. Crush the wicked in their place.
13 Hide them in the dust together. Bind their faces in the hidden place.
14 Then I will also admit to you That your own right hand can save you.
15 "See now, behemoth, which I made as well as you. He eats grass as an ox.
16 Look now, his strength is in his loins, His force is in the muscles of his belly.
17 He moves his tail like a cedar: The sinews of his thighs are knit together.
18 His bones are like tubes of brass. His limbs are like bars of iron.
19 He is the chief of the ways of God. He who made him gives him his sword.
20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, Where all the animals of the field do play.
21 He lies under the lotus trees, In the covert of the reed, and the marsh.
22 The lotuses cover him with their shade. The willows of the brook surround him.
23 Behold, if a river overflows, he doesn't tremble. He is confident, though the Jordan swells even to his mouth.
24 Shall any take him when he is on the watch, Or pierce through his nose with a snare?
1 Then the Lord made answer to Job out of the storm-wind, and said,
2 Get your strength together like a man of war: I will put questions to you, and you will give me the answers.
3 Will you even make my right of no value? will you say that I am wrong in order to make clear that you are right?
4 Have you an arm like God? have you a voice of thunder like his?
5 Put on the ornaments of your pride; be clothed with glory and power:
6 Let your wrath be overflowing; let your eyes see all the sons of pride, and make them low.
7 Send destruction on all who are lifted up, pulling down the sinners from their places.
8 Let them be covered together in the dust; let their faces be dark in the secret place of the underworld.
9 Then I will give praise to you, saying that your right hand is able to give you salvation.
10 See now the Great Beast, whom I made, even as I made you; he takes grass for food, like the ox.
11 His strength is in his body, and his force in the muscles of his stomach.
12 His tail is curving like a cedar; the muscles of his legs are joined together.
13 His bones are pipes of brass, his legs are like rods of iron.
14 He is the chief of the ways of God, made by him for his pleasure.
15 He takes the produce of the mountains, where all the beasts of the field are at play.
16 He takes his rest under the trees of the river, and in the pool, under the shade of the water-plants.
17 He is covered by the branches of the trees; the grasses of the stream are round him.
18 Truly, if the river is overflowing, it gives him no cause for fear; he has no sense of danger, even if Jordan is rushing against his mouth.
19 Will anyone take him when he is on the watch, or put metal teeth through his nose?
20 Is it possible for Leviathan to be pulled out with a fish-hook, or for a hook to be put through the bone of his mouth?
21 Will you put a cord into his nose, or take him away with a cord round his tongue?
22 Will he make prayers to you, or say soft words to you?
23 Will he make an agreement with you, so that you may take him as a servant for ever?
24 Will you make sport with him, as with a bird? or put him in chains for your young women?
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Job 40
Commentary on Job 40 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 40
Job 40:1-24. God's Second Address.
He had paused for a reply, but Job was silent.
1. the Lord—Hebrew, "Jehovah."
2. he that contendeth—as Job had so often expressed a wish to do. Or, rebuketh. Does Job now still (after seeing and hearing of God's majesty and wisdom) wish to set God right?
answer it—namely, the questions I have asked.
3. Lord—Jehovah.
4. I am (too) vile (to reply). It is a very different thing to vindicate ourselves before God, from what it is before men. Job could do the latter, not the former.
lay … hand … upon … mouth—I have no plea to offer (Job 21:5; Jud 18:19).
5. Once … twice—oftentimes, more than once (Job 33:14, compare with Job 33:29; Ps 62:11):
I have spoken—namely, against God.
not answer—not plead against Thee.
6. the Lord—Jehovah.
7. (See on Job 38:3). Since Job has not only spoken against God, but accused Him of injustice, God challenges him to try, could he govern the world, as God by His power doth, and punish the proud and wicked (Job 40:7-14).
8. Wilt thou not only contend with, but set aside My judgment or justice in the government of the world?
condemn—declare Me unrighteous, in order that thou mayest be accounted righteous (innocent; undeservingly afflicted).
9. arm—God's omnipotence (Isa 53:1).
thunder—God's voice (Job 37:4).
10. See, hast thou power and majesty like God's, to enable thee to judge and govern the world?
11. rage—rather, pour out the redundant floods of, &c.
behold—Try, canst thou, as God, by a mere glance abase the proud (Isa 2:12, &c.)?
12. proud—high (Da 4:37).
in their place—on the spot; suddenly, before they can move from their place. (See on Job 34:26; Job 36:20).
13. (Isa 2:10). Abase and remove them out of the sight of men.
bind … faces—that is, shut up their persons [Maurer]. But it refers rather to the custom of binding a cloth over the faces of persons about to be executed (Job 9:24; Es 7:8).
in secret—consign them to darkness.
14. confess—rather, "extol"; "I also," who now censure thee. But since thou canst not do these works, thou must, instead of censuring, extol My government.
thine own … hand … save—(Ps 44:3). So as to eternal salvation by Jesus Christ (Isa 59:16; 63:5).
15-24. God shows that if Job cannot bring under control the lower animals (of which he selects the two most striking, behemoth on land, leviathan in the water), much less is he capable of governing the world.
behemoth—The description in part agrees with the hippopotamus, in part with the elephant, but exactly in all details with neither. It is rather a poetical personification of the great Pachydermata, or Herbivora (so "he eateth grass"), the idea of the hippopotamus being predominant. In Job 40:17, "the tail like a cedar," hardly applies to the latter (so also Job 40:20, 23, "Jordan," a river which elephants alone could reach, but see on Job 40:23). On the other hand, Job 40:21, 22 are characteristic of the amphibious river horse. So leviathan (the twisting animal), Job 41:1, is a generalized term for cetacea, pythons, saurians of the neighboring seas and rivers, including the crocodile, which is the most prominent, and is often associated with the river horse by old writers. "Behemoth" seems to be the Egyptian Pehemout, "water-ox," Hebraized, so-called as being like an ox, whence the Italian bombarino.
with thee—as I made thyself. Yet how great the difference! The manifold wisdom and power of God!
he eateth grass—marvellous in an animal living so much in the water; also strange, that such a monster should not be carnivorous.
16. navel—rather, "muscles" of his belly; the weakest point of the elephant, therefore it is not meant.
17. like a cedar—As the tempest bends the cedar, so it can move its smooth thick tail [Umbreit]. But the cedar implies straightness and length, such as do not apply to the river horse's short tail, but perhaps to an extinct species of animal (see on Job 40:15).
stones—rather, "thighs."
wrapped—firmly twisted together, like a thick rope.
18. strong—rather, "tubes" of copper [Umbreit].
19. Chief of the works of God; so "ways" (Job 26:14; Pr 8:22).
can make his sword to approach—rather, "has furnished him with his sword" (harpe), namely, the sickle-like teeth with which he cuts down grain. English Version, however, is literally right.
20. The mountain is not his usual haunt. Bochart says it is sometimes found there (?).
beasts … play—a graphic trait: though armed with such teeth, he lets the beasts play near him unhurt, for his food is grass.
21. lieth—He leads an inactive life.
shady trees—rather, "lotus bushes"; as Job 40:22 requires.
22. shady trees—Translate: "lotus bushes."
23. Rather, "(Though) a river be violent (overflow), he trembleth not"; (for though living on land, he can live in the water, too); he is secure, though a Jordan swell up to his mouth. "Jordan" is used for any great river (consonant with the "behemoth"), being a poetical generalization (see on Job 40:15). The author cannot have been a Hebrew as Umbreit asserts, or he would not adduce the Jordan, where there were no river horses. He alludes to it as a name for any river, but not as one known to him, except by hearsay.
24. Rather, "Will any take him by open force" (literally, "before his eyes"), "or pierce his nose with cords?" No; he can only be taken by guile, and in a pitfall (Job 41:1, 2).