Job 41:7

7 Will its hide be hurt by spears or its head by a harpoon?

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 Vid. Schultens in loc.

Job 41:7 In-Context

5 Can you make it a pet like a bird, or give it to your little girls to play with?

6 Will merchants try to buy it to sell it in their shops?

7 Will its hide be hurt by spears or its head by a harpoon?

8 If you lay a hand on it, you will certainly remember the battle that follows. You won’t try that again!

9 No, it is useless to try to capture it. The hunter who attempts it will be knocked down.