Job 41:7

7 Could you shoot him full of arrows like a pin cushion, or drive harpoons into his huge head?

Job 41:7 Meaning and Commentary

Job 41:7

Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with
fish spears?
] This seems not so well to agree with the whale; whose skin, and the several parts of his body, are to be pierced with harpoons and lances, such as fishermen use in taking whales; and their flesh to be cut in pieces with their knives: but better with the crocodile, whose skin is so hard, and so closely set with scales, that it is impenetrable; (See Gill on Ezekiel 29:4). Or if the words are rendered, as by some, "wilt thou fill ships with his skin? and the fishermen's boat with his head" F14? it makes also against the whale; for this is done continually, ships of different nations are loaded every year with its skin, flesh, and the bones of its head.


FOOTNOTES:

F14 Vid. Schultens in loc.

Job 41:7 In-Context

5 Will you play with him as if he were a pet goldfish? Will you make him the mascot of the neighborhood children?
6 Will you put him on display in the market and have shoppers haggle over the price?
7 Could you shoot him full of arrows like a pin cushion, or drive harpoons into his huge head?
8 If you so much as lay a hand on him, you won't live to tell the story.
9 What hope would you have with such a creature? Why, one look at him would do you in!
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.