Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryJob 40

Job's Humble Submission.This section describes how God speaks directly to Job after questioning him about creation. God’s questions have shown Job how little he really knows and how powerless he is compared to the Lord

v. 2: God asks Job if he, as someone who argued with the Almighty, will try to instruct Him. God says, He that reproaches God, let him answer it . This means it is foolish to try to correct or teach God, who is all-wise and all-powerful. God challenges Job to respond if he really thinks he knows better.

v. 3: Job replies with humility. He realizes he cannot answer God and admits he is wrong . Job is deeply humbled by God’s wisdom and power.

v. 4: Job says, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth . He recognizes his own unworthiness and decides to stay silent. Job now sees himself as a sinner and is ashamed of his previous words. True repentance makes us humble before God.

v. 5: Job confesses that he has spoken once, even twice, but he will speak no more . He promises not to argue with God again or repeat his mistakes. Job decides not to continue on the wrong path but to accept God’s wisdom and judgment. This is what true repentance looks like—admitting our errors and choosing not to repeat them.

Divine Justice and Power; God's Dominion over the Proud.In this section, God continues to speak to Job, showing that Job still needs to be humbled even more. God’s purpose is to help Job see the greatness of divine power and justice, and how far humans fall short. Only when people truly humble themselves and understand their limits can they receive comfort and healing from God. God challenges Job to think deeply about whether any person could ever be equal to the Lord

v. 7: God tells Job to “gird up his loins like a man” and be ready to answer. If Job thinks he is brave enough to argue with God, now is the time to show it (Job 40:7; Job 38:3 ). But God knows Job will soon realize he is no match for the Almighty.

v. 8: God asks Job if he would discredit God’s justice just to make himself look right . It is wrong to question God’s judgments or to blame Him in order to defend ourselves. Instead, we should admit our own faults and recognize that God is always righteous (Psalm 51:4 ). It is prideful to try to prove ourselves right by accusing God.

v. 9: God challenges Job, asking if he has an arm as strong as God’s or a voice that thunders like His . No human can compare to God’s strength or power. Even the mightiest creatures are weak next to the Creator (Isaiah 27:4 ).

v. 10: God invites Job to “deck himself with majesty and excellency” and “array himself with glory and beauty” . But even the best human glory is nothing compared to God’s majesty. When God shines forth, even the sun and moon are ashamed (Isaiah 24:23 ).

v. 11: God commands Job to pour out his anger on the proud and humble them with a glance if he can . Only God can truly bring down the proud and deal justly with wicked people.

v. 12: God tells Job to look at everyone who is proud and bring them low, to crush the wicked where they stand . God alone has the power to humble the proud and punish oppressors.

v. 13: God says that He can hide the proud in the dust and bind their faces in secret . This means God can destroy the wicked completely, even making them forgotten and powerless (Exodus 2:12; Job 17:16 ).

v. 14: God finishes by saying that if Job could do all these things, then God would admit that Job’s own right hand could save him . But Job cannot save himself or others by his own strength. Only the Lord

Description of Behemoth.In this section, God describes a massive and powerful animal called Behemoth to show Job His greatness as the Creator. By looking at this creature, Job is reminded of how small humans are and how foolish it is to argue with God. The Behemoth serves as a lesson about God’s power, wisdom, and control over all creation.v. 15: God tells Job to look at Behemoth, a creature He made just like He made humans . Some think Behemoth is the hippopotamus or the elephant, both known for their great size and strength. God uses this animal to teach Job about His own power as the Creator.

v. 16: Behemoth has incredible strength in its loins and muscles . Its body is built to be powerful and sturdy, more so than any other animal.

v. 17: Its tail moves like a cedar tree, strong and forceful . Some think this means the animal’s trunk, if it is an elephant, or simply its powerful movements.

v. 18: Its bones are like tubes of bronze, and its legs are like bars of iron . This shows how tough and unbreakable Behemoth seems compared to other animals.

v. 19: Behemoth is called the “chief of the ways of God,” meaning it is one of the greatest examples of God’s creation . Only God, who made it, can approach and control it. If God wants, He can bring His sword against it at any time.

v. 20: The mountains produce food for Behemoth, and other wild animals play nearby without fear . Behemoth eats grass like an ox and does not harm other animals.

v. 21: It lies under the shade of trees, hidden among reeds and marshes . Behemoth rests in peaceful places and enjoys the safety of its surroundings.

v. 22: The trees along the river provide shelter and shade for Behemoth . The willows by the stream give it comfort and protection.

v. 23: Even if the river floods, Behemoth is not afraid . It is so strong and confident that it can stand in rushing water and drink without fear, as if it could swallow a whole river.

v. 24: If someone tries to catch Behemoth with snares or hooks, it will not be easy (Job 40:24 ). Its strength and size make it almost impossible to capture. Only the Lord