Job 41:1-8

1 ^[a]"Can you draw out ¹Leviathan^[b] with a fishhook or press down his tongue with a cord?

2 Can you put ²a rope in his nose or pierce his jaw with ³a hook?

3 Will he make many pleas to you? Will he speak to you soft words?

4 Will he make a covenant with you to take him for ⁴your servant forever?

5 Will you play with him as with a bird, or will you put him on a leash for your girls?

6 Will traders bargain over him? Will they divide him up among the merchants?

7 Can you fill his skin with harpoons or his head with fishing spears?

8 Lay your hands on him; remember the battle--you will not do it again!

Job 41:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 41

A large description is here given of the leviathan, from the difficulty and danger of taking it, from whence it is inferred that none can stand before God, Job 41:1-10; from the several parts of him, his face, teeth, scales, eyes, mouth and neck, flesh and heart, Job 41:11-24; and from various wonderful terrible things said of him, and ascribed to him, Job 41:25-34.

Cross References

• 1. Job 3:8; Psalms 74:14; Psalms 104:26; Isaiah 27:1
• 2. [2 Kings 19:28; Isaiah 37:29]
• 3. [2 Kings 19:28; Isaiah 37:29]
• 4. Exodus 21:6; Deuteronomy 15:17

Footnotes

• [a]. Ch 40:25 in Hebrew
• [b]. A large sea animal, exact identity unknown