Job 40:5-15

5 I have already said more than I should.

6 Then out of the storm the Lord spoke to Job once again.

7 Now stand up straight and answer my questions.

8 Are you trying to prove that I am unjust - to put me in the wrong and yourself in the right?

9 Are you as strong as I am? Can your voice thunder as loud as mine?

10 If so, stand up in your honor and pride; clothe yourself with majesty and glory.

11 Look at those who are proud; pour out your anger and humble them.

12 Yes, look at them and bring them down; crush the wicked where they stand.

13 Bury them all in the ground; bind them in the world of the dead.

14 Then I will be the first to praise you and admit that you won the victory yourself.

15 Look at the monster Behemoth; I created him and I created you. He eats grass like a cow,

Job 40:5-15 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. behemoth: [Some identify this with the hippopotamus, others with a legendary creature.]