15 “Look at Behemoth,
    which I made(A) along with you
    and which feeds on grass like an ox.(B)
16 What strength(C) it has in its loins,
    what power in the muscles of its belly!(D)
17 Its tail sways like a cedar;
    the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.(E)
18 Its bones are tubes of bronze,
    its limbs(F) like rods of iron.(G)
19 It ranks first among the works of God,(H)
    yet its Maker(I) can approach it with his sword.(J)
20 The hills bring it their produce,(K)
    and all the wild animals play(L) nearby.(M)
21 Under the lotus plants it lies,
    hidden among the reeds(N) in the marsh.(O)
22 The lotuses conceal it in their shadow;
    the poplars by the stream(P) surround it.
23 A raging river(Q) does not alarm it;
    it is secure, though the Jordan(R) should surge against its mouth.
24 Can anyone capture it by the eyes,
    or trap it and pierce its nose?(S)

41 [a]“Can you pull in Leviathan(T) with a fishhook(U)
    or tie down its tongue with a rope?
Can you put a cord through its nose(V)
    or pierce its jaw with a hook?(W)
Will it keep begging you for mercy?(X)
    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?(Y)
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?(Z)
If you lay a hand on it,
    you will remember the struggle and never do it again!(AA)
Any hope of subduing it is false;
    the mere sight of it is overpowering.(AB)
10 No one is fierce enough to rouse it.(AC)
    Who then is able to stand against me?(AD)
11 Who has a claim against me that I must pay?(AE)
    Everything under heaven belongs to me.(AF)

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.

15 Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.

16 Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.

17 He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.

18 His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.

19 He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.

20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.

21 He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.

22 The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.

23 Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.

24 He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.

41 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?

Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?

Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?

Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?

Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?

Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?

Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.

Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?

10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?

11 Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.