Job 41:12-22

12 Let me tell you about Leviathan's legs and describe how great and strong he is.
13 No one can tear off his outer coat or pierce the armor he wears.
14 Who can make him open his jaws, ringed with those terrifying teeth?
15 His back is made of rows of shields, fastened together and hard as stone.
16 Each one is joined so tight to the next, not even a breath can come between.
17 They all are fastened so firmly together that nothing can ever pull them apart.
18 Light flashes when he sneezes, and his eyes glow like the rising sun.
19 Flames blaze from his mouth, and streams of sparks fly out.
20 Smoke comes pouring out of his nose, like smoke from weeds burning under a pot.
21 His breath starts fires burning; flames leap out of his mouth.
22 His neck is so powerful that all who meet him are terrified.

Job 41:12-22 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.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. [One ancient translation] armor; [Hebrew] bridle.
  • [b]. [Some ancient translations] back; [Hebrew] pride.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.