Job 41:7

7 Whether thou shalt fill nets with his skin, and a fish basket with his head? (Shalt thou fill his skin with harpoons, or his head with fish-hooks?)

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 Whether thou shalt scorn him as a bird, either shalt thou bind him to thine handmaidens? (Shalt thou scorn him like a bird, or shalt thou bind him up for thy servantesses?)

6 Shall friends carve him (up), shall merchants part him (among themselves)?

7 Whether thou shalt fill nets with his skin, and a fish basket with his head? (Shalt thou fill his skin with harpoons, or his head with fish-hooks?)

8 Shalt thou put thine hand upon him? have thou mind of the battle, and add thou no more to speak (remember the battle, and add thou no more to speak about it).

9 Lo! his hope shall deceive him; and in the sight of all men he shall be cast down (and he shall be thrown down in front of all the people).