Job 41:22

22 "Strength abides in its neck, and dismay dances {before it}.

Job 41:22 Meaning and Commentary

Job 41:22

In his neck remaineth strength
This is thought to be an argument against the whale, which is said to have no neck: but whatever joins the head and body may be called the neck, though ever so small; and the shorter the neck is, the stronger it is. It is also said by some, that the crocodile has no neck also; but the philosopher ^F24 is express for it, that it has one and moves it: and Pliny ^F25 speaks of it as turning its head upwards, which it could not do without a neck;

and sorrow is turned into joy before him;
or leaps and dances before him; it departs from him: he is not afraid of anything, though ever so threatening. Or sorrow and distress at the sight of him, in men and fishes, make them leap, and hasten to get out of the way of him and escape him.

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 Aristot. Hist. Animal. l. 9. c. 6. & Part. Animal l. 4. c. 11.
F25 Nat. Hist. l. 8. c. 25.

Job 41:22 In-Context

20 Smoke comes from its nostrils as [from] a kettle boiling and [burning] bulrushes.

21 Its breath kindles charcoal, and a flame comes from its mouth.

22 "Strength abides in its neck, and dismay dances {before it}.

23 Its flesh's folds of skin cling together; it is cast on it--it will not be moved.

24 Its heart is cast as stone; yes, it is cast as [the] lower millstone.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "strength"
• [b]. Literally "to the face of him/it"