Job 41:25

25 When he raises himself up the mighty are afraid; at the crashing they are beside themselves.

Job 41:25 Meaning and Commentary

Job 41:25

When he raiseth up himself
Not out of the waters, but above the surface of them, so as that his large bulk, his terrible jaws and teeth, are seem;

the mighty are afraid;
not only fishes and other animals, but men, and these the most stouthearted and courageous, as mariners and masters of vessels;

by reason of breakings they purify themselves:
either because of the breaches of the sea made through the lifting up of this creature, threatening the overturning of vessels; or of the breaches of men's hearts through fear, they are thrown into a vomiting, and purging both by stool and urine, which are often the effects of fear, so Ben Gersom; or they acknowledge themselves sinners, or expiate themselves, endeavouring to do it by making confession of sin, declaring repentance for it, praying for forgiveness of it, and promising amendment; which is frequently the case of seafaring men in distress; see ( Jonah 1:4-17 ) .

Job 41:25 In-Context

23 The folds of his flesh cleave together, firmly cast upon him and immovable.

24 His heart is hard as a stone, hard as the nether millstone.

25 When he raises himself up the mighty are afraid; at the crashing they are beside themselves.

26 Though the sword reaches him, it does not avail; nor the spear, the dart, or the javelin.

27 He counts iron as straw, and bronze as rotten wood.