Print Page Options Listen to Job 41

41 [a]“Can you pull in Leviathan(A) with a fishhook(B)
    or tie down its tongue with a rope?
Can you put a cord through its nose(C)
    or pierce its jaw with a hook?(D)
Will it keep begging you for mercy?(E)
    Will it speak to you with gentle words?
Will it make an agreement with you
    for you to take it as your slave for life?(F)
Can you make a pet of it like a bird
    or put it on a leash for the young women in your house?
Will traders barter for it?
    Will they divide it up among the merchants?
Can you fill its hide with harpoons
    or its head with fishing spears?(G)
If you lay a hand on it,
    you will remember the struggle and never do it again!(H)
Any hope of subduing it is false;
    the mere sight of it is overpowering.(I)
10 No one is fierce enough to rouse it.(J)
    Who then is able to stand against me?(K)
11 Who has a claim against me that I must pay?(L)
    Everything under heaven belongs to me.(M)

12 “I will not fail to speak of Leviathan’s limbs,(N)
    its strength(O) and its graceful form.
13 Who can strip off its outer coat?
    Who can penetrate its double coat of armor[b]?(P)
14 Who dares open the doors of its mouth,(Q)
    ringed about with fearsome teeth?
15 Its back has[c] rows of shields
    tightly sealed together;(R)
16 each is so close to the next
    that no air can pass between.
17 They are joined fast to one another;
    they cling together and cannot be parted.
18 Its snorting throws out flashes of light;
    its eyes are like the rays of dawn.(S)
19 Flames(T) stream from its mouth;
    sparks of fire shoot out.
20 Smoke pours from its nostrils(U)
    as from a boiling pot over burning reeds.
21 Its breath(V) sets coals ablaze,
    and flames dart from its mouth.(W)
22 Strength(X) resides in its neck;
    dismay goes before it.
23 The folds of its flesh are tightly joined;
    they are firm and immovable.
24 Its chest is hard as rock,
    hard as a lower millstone.(Y)
25 When it rises up, the mighty are terrified;(Z)
    they retreat before its thrashing.(AA)
26 The sword that reaches it has no effect,
    nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin.(AB)
27 Iron it treats like straw(AC)
    and bronze like rotten wood.
28 Arrows do not make it flee;(AD)
    slingstones are like chaff to it.
29 A club seems to it but a piece of straw;(AE)
    it laughs(AF) at the rattling of the lance.
30 Its undersides are jagged potsherds,
    leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.(AG)
31 It makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron(AH)
    and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment.(AI)
32 It leaves a glistening wake behind it;
    one would think the deep had white hair.
33 Nothing on earth is its equal(AJ)
    a creature without fear.
34 It looks down on all that are haughty;(AK)
    it is king over all that are proud.(AL)

Footnotes

  1. Job 41:1 In Hebrew texts 41:1-8 is numbered 40:25-32, and 41:9-34 is numbered 41:1-26.
  2. Job 41:13 Septuagint; Hebrew double bridle
  3. Job 41:15 Or Its pride is its

41 [a] “Can you draw out (A)Leviathan[b] with a fishhook
    or press down his tongue with a cord?
Can you put (B)a rope in his nose
    or pierce his jaw with (C)a hook?
Will he make many pleas to you?
    Will he speak to you soft words?
Will he make a covenant with you
    to take him for (D)your servant forever?
Will you play with him as with a bird,
    or will you put him on a leash for your girls?
Will traders bargain over him?
    Will they divide him up among the merchants?
Can you fill his skin with harpoons
    or his head with fishing spears?
Lay your hands on him;
    remember the battle—you will not do it again!
[c] Behold, the hope of a man is false;
    he is laid low even at the sight of him.
10 No one is so fierce that he dares to stir him up.
    Who then is he who can stand before me?
11 (E)Who has first given to me, that I should repay him?
    (F)Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.

12 “I will not keep silence concerning his limbs,
    or his mighty strength, or his goodly frame.
13 Who can strip off his outer garment?
    Who would come near him with a bridle?
14 Who can open the doors of his face?
    Around his teeth is terror.
15 His back is made of[d] rows of shields,
    shut up closely as with a seal.
16 One is so near to another
    that no air can come between them.
17 They are (G)joined one to another;
    they clasp each other and cannot be separated.
18 His sneezings flash forth light,
    and his eyes are like (H)the eyelids of the dawn.
19 Out of his mouth go flaming torches;
    sparks of fire leap forth.
20 Out of his nostrils comes forth smoke,
    as from a boiling pot and burning rushes.
21 His breath (I)kindles coals,
    and a flame comes forth from his mouth.
22 In his neck abides strength,
    and terror dances before him.
23 The folds of his flesh (J)stick together,
    firmly cast on him and immovable.
24 His heart is hard as a stone,
    hard as the lower millstone.
25 When he raises himself up, the mighty[e] are afraid;
    at the crashing they are beside themselves.
26 Though the sword reaches him, it does not avail,
    nor the spear, the dart, or the javelin.
27 He counts iron as straw,
    and bronze as rotten wood.
28 The arrow cannot make him flee;
    for him, sling stones are turned to stubble.
29 Clubs are counted as stubble;
    he laughs at the rattle of javelins.
30 His underparts are like sharp (K)potsherds;
    he spreads himself like (L)a threshing sledge on the mire.
31 He makes the deep boil like a pot;
    he makes the sea like a pot of ointment.
32 Behind him he leaves a shining wake;
    one would think the deep to be white-haired.
33 (M)On earth there is not his like,
    a creature without fear.
34 He sees everything that is high;
    he is king over all the (N)sons of pride.”

Footnotes

  1. Job 41:1 Ch 40:25 in Hebrew
  2. Job 41:1 A large sea animal, exact identity unknown
  3. Job 41:9 Ch 41:1 in Hebrew
  4. Job 41:15 Or His pride is in his
  5. Job 41:25 Or gods

God’s Power Shown in Creatures

41 [a]Can you drag out [b](A)Leviathan with a fishhook,
And press down his tongue with a rope?
Can you (B)put a [c]rope in his nose,
And pierce his jaw with a [d]hook?
Will he make many pleas to you,
Or will he speak to you gentle words?
Will he make a covenant with you?
Will you take him as a servant forever?
Will you play with him as with a bird,
And tie him down for your young girls?
Will the [e]traders bargain for him?
Will they divide him among the merchants?
Can you fill his skin with harpoons,
Or his head with fishing spears?
Lay your hand on him.
Remember the battle; [f]you will not do it again!
[g]Behold, [h]your expectation is false;
Will [i]you be hurled down even at the sight of him?
10 No one is so reckless that he dares to (C)stir him;
Who then is he who opposes Me?
11 Who has (D)been first to give to Me, that I should repay him?
Whatever is (E)under the entire heaven is Mine.

12 “I will not be silent about his limbs,
Or his mighty strength, or his graceful frame.
13 Who can [j]strip off his outer covering?
Who can [k]pierce his double [l]armor?
14 Who can open the doors of his face?
Around his teeth there is terror.
15 His [m]strong scales are his pride,
Locked as with a tight seal.
16 One is so close to another
That no air can come between them.
17 They are joined one to another;
They clasp each other and cannot be separated.
18 His sneezes flash forth light,
And his eyes are like the (F)eye of dawn.
19 From his mouth go burning torches;
Sparks of fire leap forth.
20 From his nostrils smoke goes out
As from a boiling pot and burning reeds.
21 His breath sets coals aglow,
And a flame goes forth from his mouth.
22 In his neck dwells strength,
And dismay leaps before him.
23 The folds of his flesh are joined together,
Firm and immovable on him.
24 His heart is as firm as a stone,
And as firm as a lower millstone.
25 When he rises up, the [n]mighty are afraid;
Because of the crashing they are bewildered.
26 The sword that reaches him cannot [o]prevail,
Nor the spear, the dart, or the javelin.
27 He regards iron as straw,
Bronze as rotten wood.
28 The [p]arrow cannot make him flee;
Slingstones are turned into stubble for him.
29 Clubs are regarded as stubble;
He laughs at the rattling of the javelin.
30 His underparts are like sharp pieces of pottery;
He [q]spreads out like a threshing sledge on the mud.
31 He makes the depths boil like a pot;
He makes the sea like a jar of ointment.
32 Behind him he illuminates a pathway;
One would think the deep to be gray-haired.
33 (G)Nothing on [r]earth is like him,
One made without fear.
34 [s]He looks on everything that is high;
He is king over all the (H)sons of pride.”

Footnotes

  1. Job 41:1 Ch 40:25 in Heb
  2. Job 41:1 I.e., a sea monster or crocodile
  3. Job 41:2 Lit rope of rushes
  4. Job 41:2 Or thorn; or ring
  5. Job 41:6 Lit partners
  6. Job 41:8 Lit do not add
  7. Job 41:9 Ch 41:1 in Heb
  8. Job 41:9 Lit his
  9. Job 41:9 Lit he
  10. Job 41:13 Lit uncover the face of his garment
  11. Job 41:13 Lit come into
  12. Job 41:13 As in LXX; Heb bridle
  13. Job 41:15 Lit rows of shields
  14. Job 41:25 Or gods
  15. Job 41:26 Lit rise
  16. Job 41:28 Lit son of the bow
  17. Job 41:30 Or moves across
  18. Job 41:33 Lit dust
  19. Job 41:34 Ch 41:26 in Heb

Leviathan

41 [a] Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook,
    restrain his tongue with a rope?
Can you put a cord through his nose,
    pierce his jaw with a barb?
Will he beg you at length
    or speak gentle words to you?
Will he make a pact with you
    so that you will take him as a permanent slave?
Can you play with him like a bird,
    put a leash on him for your girls?
Will merchants sell him;
    will they divide him among traders?
Can you fill his hide with darts,
    his head with a fishing spear?
Should you lay your hand on him,
    you would never remember the battle.
Such hopes[b] would be delusional;
    surely the sight of him makes one stumble.
10 Nobody is fierce enough to rouse him;
    who then can stand before me?
11 Who opposes me that I must repay?
    Everything under heaven is mine.
12 I’m not awed by his limbs,
    his strength, and impressive form.
13 Who can remove his outer garment;
    who can come with a bridle for him?
14 Who can open the doors of his mouth,
    surrounded by frightening teeth?
15 His matching scales are his pride,
    closely locked and sealed.
16         One touches another;
        even air can’t come between them.
17 Each clings to its pair;
    joined, they can’t be separated.
18 His sneezes emit flashes of light;
    his eyes are like dawn’s rays.
19 Shafts of fire shoot from his mouth;
    like fiery sparks they fly out.
20 Smoke pours from his nostrils
    like a boiling pot over reeds.
21 His breath lights coals;
    a flame shoots from his mouth.
22 Power resides in his neck;
    violence dances before him.
23 The folds of his flesh stick together;
    on him they are tough and unyielding.
24 His heart is solid like a rock,
    hard like a lower millstone.
25 The divine beings dread his rising;
    they withdraw before his thrashing.
26 The sword that touches him won’t prevail;
    neither will the dart, spear, nor javelin.
27 He treats iron as straw,
    bronze as rotten wood.
28 Arrows can’t make him flee;
    slingstones he turns to straw.
29 He treats a club like straw;
    he laughs at the lance’s rattle.
30 His abdomen is like jagged pottery shards;
    its sharp edges leave a trail in the mud.
31 He causes the depths to churn like a boiling pot,
    stirs up the sea like a pot of scented oils,
32         leaves a bright wake behind him;
        the frothy deep seems white-haired.
33 None on earth can compare to him;
    he is made to be without fear.
34 He looks on all the proud;
    he is king over all proud beasts.

Footnotes

  1. Job 41:1 40:25 in Heb
  2. Job 41:9 Or his hopes

The Lord Continues

Can You Catch a Sea Monster?

41 (A) Can you catch a sea monster[a]
    by using a fishhook?
Can you tie its mouth shut
    with a rope?
Can it be led around
by a ring in its nose
    or a hook in its jaw?
Will it beg for mercy?
Will it surrender
    as a slave for life?
Can it be tied by the leg
like a pet bird
    for little girls?
Is it ever chopped up
and its pieces bargained for
    in the fish-market?
Can it be killed
    with harpoons or spears?
Wrestle it just once—
    that will be the end.
Merely a glimpse of this monster
    makes all courage melt.
10 And if it is too fierce
for anyone to attack,
    who would dare oppose me?
11 I am in command of the world
    and in debt to no one.

12 What powerful legs,
what a stout body
    this monster possesses!
13 Who could strip off its armor
or bring it under control
    with a harness?
14 Who would try to open its jaws,
    full of fearsome teeth?
* 15 Its back[b] is covered
    with shield after shield,
16 firmly bound and closer together
17     than breath to breath.

When This Monster Sneezes

18 When this monster sneezes,
lightning flashes, and its eyes
    glow like the dawn.
19 Sparks and fiery flames
    explode from its mouth.
20 And smoke spews from its nose
like steam
    from a boiling pot,
21 while its blazing breath
    scorches everything in sight.

22 Its neck is so tremendous
    that everyone trembles,
23 the weakest parts of its body
are harder than iron,
24     and its heart is stone.
25 When this noisy monster appears,
even the most powerful[c]
    turn and run in fear.
26 No sword or spear can harm it,
27 and weapons of bronze or iron
    are as useless as straw
    or rotten wood.
28 Rocks thrown from a sling
cause it no more harm
    than husks of grain.
This monster fears no arrows,
29     it simply smiles at spears,
and striking it with a stick
is like slapping it with straw.

30 As it crawls through the mud,
its sharp and spiny hide
    tears the ground apart.
31 And when it swims down deep,
the sea starts churning
    like boiling oil,
32 and it leaves behind a trail
    of shining white foam.
33 No other creature on earth
    is so fearless.
34 It is king of all proud creatures,
and it looks upon the others
    as nothing.

Footnotes

  1. 41.1 sea monster: The Hebrew text has “Leviathan,” which may refer to a sea monster or possibly to a crocodile in this verse (see the note at 3.8).
  2. 41.15 back: Two ancient translations; Hebrew “pride.”
  3. 41.25 most powerful: Or “gods.”