Job 40:16-24

16 What strength it has in its loins, what power in the muscles of its belly!

17 Its tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.

18 Its bones are tubes of bronze, its limbs like rods of iron.

19 It ranks first among the works of God, yet its Maker can approach it with his sword.

20 The hills bring it their produce, and all the wild animals play nearby.

21 Under the lotus plants it lies, hidden among the reeds in the marsh.

22 The lotuses conceal it in their shadow; the poplars by the stream surround it.

23 A raging river does not alarm it; it is secure, though the Jordan should surge against its mouth.

24 Can anyone capture it by the eyes, or trap it and pierce its nose?

Job 40:16-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 40

In this chapter Job is called upon to give in his answer, Job 40:1,2, which he does in the most humble manner, acknowledging his vileness and folly, Job 40:3-5; and then the Lord proceeds to give him further conviction of his superior justice and power, Job 40:6-9; and one thing he proposes to him, to humble the proud, if he could, and then he would own his own right hand could save him, Job 40:10-15; and observes to him another instance of his power in a creature called behemoth, which he had made, and gives a description of, Job 40:15-24.

Cross References

• 1. S Job 39:11
• 2. Job 41:9
• 3. Job 41:15
• 4. Job 41:12
• 5. Isaiah 11:4; Isaiah 49:2
• 6. Job 41:33; Psalms 40:5; Psalms 139:14; Isaiah 27:1
• 7. S Job 4:17; S Job 9:9
• 8. S Genesis 3:24
• 9. Psalms 104:14
• 10. Psalms 104:26
• 11. S Job 5:23
• 12. S Genesis 41:2; Psalms 68:30; Isaiah 35:7
• 13. Job 8:11
• 14. Psalms 1:3; Isaiah 44:4
• 15. Isaiah 8:7; Isaiah 11:15
• 16. S Joshua 3:1
• 17. 2 Kings 19:28; Job 41:2,7,26; Isaiah 37:29