15 “Behold, Behemoth,[a]
    which I made as I made you;
    he eats (A)grass like an ox.
16 Behold, his strength in his loins,
    and his power in the muscles of his belly.
17 He makes his tail stiff like a cedar;
    the sinews of his thighs are knit together.
18 His bones are tubes of bronze,
    his limbs like bars of iron.

19 “He is (B)the first of (C)the works[b] of God;
    let him who made him bring near his sword!
20 For the mountains yield food for him
    where all the wild beasts play.
21 Under the lotus plants he lies,
    in the shelter of (D)the reeds and in the marsh.
22 For his shade the lotus trees cover him;
    the willows of the brook surround him.
23 Behold, if the river is turbulent he is not frightened;
    he is confident though Jordan rushes against his mouth.
24 Can one take him by his eyes,[c]
    or pierce his nose with a snare?

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Footnotes

  1. Job 40:15 A large animal, exact identity unknown
  2. Job 40:19 Hebrew ways
  3. Job 40:24 Or in his sight

Behemoth

15 Look at Behemoth, whom I made along with you;
    he eats grass like cattle.
16 Look, his strength is in his thighs,
    his power in stomach muscles.
17 He stiffens his tail like a cedar;
    the tendons in his thighs are tightly woven.
18 His bones are like bronze tubes,
    his limbs like iron bars.
19 He is the first of God’s acts;
    only his maker can come near him with a sword.
20 Indeed, the hills bring him tribute,
    places where all the wild animals play.
21 He lies under the lotuses,
    under the cover of reed and marsh.
22 The lotuses screen him with shade;
    poplars of the stream surround him.
23 If the river surges, he doesn’t hurry;
    he is confident even though the Jordan gushes into his mouth.
24 Can he be seized by his eyes?
    Can anyone pierce his nose by hooks?

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