Job 40 Study Notes

40:15 Some have identified Behemoth as a type of mythological beast, such as the bull of heaven in the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh or the ferocious bullock, the Ugaritic goddess that Anat defeated. Allusions to mythological creatures had been made previously (3:8; 7:12; 9:13-14; 26:12-13), but the description here favors a living animal known to Job. The buffalo, a dinosaur, the rhinoceros, and (most often) the hippopotamus have been suggested. The term behemoth occurs elsewhere only in Ps 73:22 where the psalmist compared his formerly embittered soul to a brute beast.

40:16-18 The Hebrew verb chaphats, translated in v. 17 as stiffens, occurs only here with this meaning. The point of comparison between the short tail of the hippopotamus and the cedar tree may simply be the fact of their respective hardness. Elsewhere the same Hebrew word carries emphases such as “take pleasure in” or “delight.” Tail could be a euphemism, hence speaking to Behemoth’s virility. Readings found in manuscripts of ancient versions (LXX, Vg, Syr) support this possibility.

40:19 Only God would dare to face this creature alone (v. 24). Cattle (Hb behemah) were the first of God’s created land animals. Behemoth (pl) would represent the foremost of all. Since Job could not face Behemoth, would he have the power to enforce justice against the wicked (vv. 10-14)? Job should entrust justice to the Lord, Behemoth’s Creator (v. 15).

40:20-22 Behemoth found food on the hills (see v. 15), but it sought refuge in marshes where the lotus plants grew. Alternatively, this plant may refer to a thorny tree that grew in deep moist valleys.

40:23 The Jordan may represent any river with a strong current (see John E. Hartley, The Book of Job, NICOT).

40:24 Hunting parties attempted to pierce the nose of Behemoth to impair his breathing, making him vulnerable to snares or hooks. Such was no easy task while Behemoth was watching.