God’s Power Shown in Creatures

15 “Behold, [a]Behemoth, which (A)I made [b]as well as you;
He eats grass like an ox.
16 Behold, his strength in his waist,
And his power in the muscles of his belly.
17 He hangs his tail like a cedar;
The tendons of his thighs are knit together.
18 His bones are tubes of bronze;
His [c]limbs are like bars of iron.

19 “He is the (B)first of the ways of God;
Let his (C)Maker bring His sword near.
20 Indeed the [d]mountains (D)bring him food,
And all the animals of the field (E)play there.
21 He lies down under the lotus plants,
In the hiding place of the reeds and the marsh.
22 The lotus plants cover him with [e]shade;
The willows of the brook surround him.
23 If a river [f]rages, he is not alarmed;
He is confident, though the (F)Jordan rushes to his mouth.
24 Can anyone capture him [g]when he is on watch,
Can anyone pierce his nose with barbs?

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Footnotes

  1. Job 40:15 I.e., a powerful animal, possibly a hippopotamus
  2. Job 40:15 Lit with you
  3. Job 40:18 Lit bones
  4. Job 40:20 I.e., the mountain streams
  5. Job 40:22 Lit his shade
  6. Job 40:23 Or oppresses
  7. Job 40:24 Lit in his eyes

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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