Job 41:25

25 When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid; by reason of breakings they purify themselves.

Job 41:25 Meaning and Commentary

Job 41:25

When he raiseth up himself
Not out of the waters, but above the surface of them, so as that his large bulk, his terrible jaws and teeth, are seem;

the mighty are afraid;
not only fishes and other animals, but men, and these the most stouthearted and courageous, as mariners and masters of vessels;

by reason of breakings they purify themselves:
either because of the breaches of the sea made through the lifting up of this creature, threatening the overturning of vessels; or of the breaches of men's hearts through fear, they are thrown into a vomiting, and purging both by stool and urine, which are often the effects of fear, so Ben Gersom; or they acknowledge themselves sinners, or expiate themselves, endeavouring to do it by making confession of sin, declaring repentance for it, praying for forgiveness of it, and promising amendment; which is frequently the case of seafaring men in distress; see ( Jonah 1:4-17 ) .

Job 41:25 In-Context

23 The folds of his flesh are joined together; they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.

24 His heart is as firm as a stone, yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.

25 When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid; by reason of breakings they purify themselves.

26 The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold the spear, the dart, nor the breastplate.

27 He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.