Job 41:7

7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons, Or his head with fish-spears?

Job 41:7 Meaning and Commentary

Job 41:7

Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with
fish spears?
] This seems not so well to agree with the whale; whose skin, and the several parts of his body, are to be pierced with harpoons and lances, such as fishermen use in taking whales; and their flesh to be cut in pieces with their knives: but better with the crocodile, whose skin is so hard, and so closely set with scales, that it is impenetrable; (See Gill on Ezekiel 29:4). Or if the words are rendered, as by some, "wilt thou fill ships with his skin? and the fishermen's boat with his head" F14? it makes also against the whale; for this is done continually, ships of different nations are loaded every year with its skin, flesh, and the bones of its head.


FOOTNOTES:

F14 Vid. Schultens in loc.

Job 41:7 In-Context

5 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? Or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
6 Will the bands [of fishermen] make traffic of him? Will they part him among the merchants?
7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons, Or his head with fish-spears?
8 Lay thy hand upon him; Remember the battle, and do so no more.
9 Behold, the hope of him is in vain: Will not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.