Job 41

This chapter is the final portion of the second of God's speeches (40:6–41:34) in the divine address that begins in Job 38. Having shown Job the great land beast "Behemoth" in Job 40, God here describes a creature of the waters at length, and Job responds in Job 42. The Hebrew Bible divides the chapters differently, numbering verses 1–8 of this chapter as 40:25–32.

Outline

• Verses 1–9 The creature cannot be caught with hook, cord, spear, or harpoon. No one can make a covenant with it to take it as a servant or play with it as with a bird. Whoever lays a hand on it will not fight again.
• Verses 10–11 God asks: if no one dares to stir up this creature, who then can stand before Him? He declares that everything under the whole heaven is His.
• Verses 12–17 A description of its limbs and strength, its hide and teeth, and its scales joined so closely that no air can pass between them.
• Verses 18–21 Light flashes from its sneezing, torches go out of its mouth, and smoke comes from its nostrils.
• Verses 22–29 Because of the strength of its neck, its firm flesh, and its heart, even the mighty are afraid, and sword, spear, arrow, sling stones, and clubs are useless against it.
• Verses 30–34 It makes the deep boil like a pot and leaves a white wake in the sea. Nothing on earth is its equal; it is king over all the proud.

Key Verses

• Job 41:11 "Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine." This declaration that no one has first given to God so as to demand repayment expresses the main point of God's entire speech.
• Job 41:34 "He is a king over all the children of pride." Through a creature that humans cannot master, the chapter shows the limits of humanity.

Characters and Places

• God Speaks to Job out of the whirlwind.
• Job The one who hears God's words; he does not speak in this chapter.
• Leviathan (crocodile) The great water creature described in this chapter.

Points for Reflection

• The Korean Revised Version translates the Hebrew livyatan as "crocodile," while the New Korean Revised Version transliterates it as "Leviathan." Interpretations vary: some regard the creature as an actual animal (such as the crocodile), others as a poetic expression borrowing the imagery of the sea monster of ancient Near Eastern myth, and still others as a symbol of chaos or evil. Verses 18–21, which describe fire and smoke issuing from its mouth and nostrils, are often read as poetic hyperbole.
• Leviathan also appears in Psalm 104, Isaiah 27, and elsewhere.
• Even in this chapter, God does not explain the reason for Job's suffering. Instead, He answers by displaying the created world, leading Job to recognize the limits of human wisdom and strength.
• Verse 11 is linked to the words Paul quotes in Romans 11:33–36 as he praises the wisdom of God.