Job 40:15-24

15 "Look at the land beast, Behemoth. I created him as well as you. Grazing on grass, docile as a cow -

16 Just look at the strength of his back, the powerful muscles of his belly.

17 His tail sways like a cedar in the wind; his huge legs are like beech trees.

18 His skeleton is made of steel, every bone in his body hard as steel.

19 Most magnificent of all my creatures, but I still lead him around like a lamb!

20 The grass-covered hills serve him meals, while field mice frolic in his shadow.

21 He takes afternoon naps under shade trees, cools himself in the reedy swamps,

22 Lazily cool in the leafy shadows as the breeze moves through the willows.

23 And when the river rages he doesn't budge, stolid and unperturbed even when the Jordan goes wild.

24 But you'd never want him for a pet - you'd never be able to housebreak him!

Job 40:15-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 40

In this chapter Job is called upon to give in his answer, Job 40:1,2, which he does in the most humble manner, acknowledging his vileness and folly, Job 40:3-5; and then the Lord proceeds to give him further conviction of his superior justice and power, Job 40:6-9; and one thing he proposes to him, to humble the proud, if he could, and then he would own his own right hand could save him, Job 40:10-15; and observes to him another instance of his power in a creature called behemoth, which he had made, and gives a description of, Job 40:15-24.