Job 41:16-26

16 One scale is so close to another^[a] that no air can pass between them.

17 They are joined to one another, so closely connected^[b] they cannot be separated.

18 His snorting^[c] flashes with light, while his eyes are like the rays^[d] of dawn.

19 Flaming torches shoot^[e] from his mouth; fiery sparks fly out!

20 Smoke billows from his nostrils^[f] as from a boiling pot or [burning] reeds.

21 His breath sets coals ablaze, and flames pour out of his mouth.^[g]

22 Strength resides in his neck, and dismay dances before him.

23 The folds of his flesh are joined together, solid as metal^[h] and immovable.

24 His heart is as hard as a rock, as hard as a lower millstone!

25 When Leviathan rises, the mighty^[i] are terrified; they withdraw because of [his] thrashing.

26 The sword that reaches him will have no effect, nor will a spear, dart, or arrow.^[j]

Job 41:16-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 41

A large description is here given of the leviathan, from the difficulty and danger of taking it, from whence it is inferred that none can stand before God, Job 41:1-10; from the several parts of him, his face, teeth, scales, eyes, mouth and neck, flesh and heart, Job 41:11-24; and from various wonderful terrible things said of him, and ascribed to him, Job 41:25-34.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit One by one they approach
• [b]. Lit another; they cling together and
• [c]. Or sneezing
• [d]. Lit eyelids
• [e]. Pr 26:18
• [f]. Ex 19:18; 2 Sm 22:9; Ps 18:8
• [g]. 2 Sm 22:9; Ps 18:8; Isa 66:15
• [h]. Lit together, hard on him
• [i]. Or the divine beings
• [j]. Jb 39:23