Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryJob 41

Leviathan. A transliteration of the Heb. liwyathan. Liwyathan is also translated “their mourning” (see on ch. 3:8; see also Ps. 74:14; Ps. 104:26; Isa. 27:1). The creature is represented as wild, fierce, and ungovernable, having a mouth of large size and armed with a formidable array of teeth. The body is covered with scales set near together, like a coat of mail. Whether Job is here describing the crocodile, as many commentators think, or some monster now extinct, cannot be established. With a cord. Wild animals were often led along by a rope attached to their mouths, as Assyrian sculptures reveal. God asks whether the great leviathan can be caught with a fishhook or led along by tying a rope around its jaw. This question, like others that have preceded, accentuates the weakness of man compared with the creative power of God.

Hook. Literally, “a rush,” either one used as a cord or a cord spun from rush fiber. Thorn. This seems to refer to a hook or ring such as was used for keeping fish captive under water or for bringing prisoners of rank before the monarchs who had captured them (see 2 Kings 19:28; 2 Chron. 33:11 [“among the thorns” should probably be rendered “with hooks”]; Amos 4:2).

Many supplications. Could anyone imagine the mighty leviathan begging Job for mercy!

Make a covenant. Ironically, God asks whether Job can make leviathan his slave (see Ex. 21:6; Deut. 15:17).

Play with him. Ancient inscriptions reveal that the Egyptians, and other ancient peoples, were fond of pet animals. Dogs, antelopes, leopards, monkeys, and birds of various kinds were all domesticated. A tame crocodile would be a most extraordinary pet! The “maidens” would surely object to such an idea! Sarcasm is used to emphasize the ways in which leviathan was superior to man.

Companions. Literally, “partners.” The word may refer to a group of people joined together for any purpose, either friendship or business. Make a banquet. Heb. karah. This word has three basic meanings: “to dig,” “to trade,” “to give a feast.” Here, “to trade” seems to be the most appropriate definition, especially if “companions” indicate a partnership of fishermen. Among the merchants. The crocodile was never used as an article of trade.

Fill his skin. This verse alludes to the thick, nearly impenetrable skin of the animal. Harpoons and spears could be used to capture the hippopotamus, but the crocodile was well protected against such methods of attack.

Do no more. The mere thought of the battle deters one from taking further steps.

The hope of him. Apparently the hope of capturing or killing the monster. The very sight of leviathan would intimidate man. The strength of leviathan was so overwhelmingly superior to that of man that the beast was left to sleep undisturbed on the sandbanks along the rivers.

Stand before me. This verse contains the point of the entire argument. A creature that God has made is so formidable that man dares not “stir him up.” How, then, dares any man to contend with the Creator? This is doubtless intended as a rebuke to Job for his rashness in desiring to argue with God. According to the Targums and a number of Hebrew manuscripts the last line of this text reads, “Who then is able to stand before him?” However, the LXX and the other ancient versions all support the reading “me.”

Who hath prevented? The thought of the text seems to be, “Who hath placed Me under obligation to him that I should repay him?” The argument is, If man cannot control such creatures as leviathan, how can he expect to force the hand of the Creator for special favors? The allusion seems to be to Job’s repeated demands for a hearing (chs. 9:34, 35; 13:3, 22; 23:3–7). God resists every challenge that He justify Himself. He is not in debt to any of His creatures. Is mine. God reminds Job of His ownership of the universe.

His parts. God returns to a fuller and more detailed description of leviathan.

Discover. Literally, “uncover.” Face of his garment. Or, “his outer covering.” This seems to refer to his scaly outer coat. Double bridle. The meaning of this figure is not clear. Some take the sentence to mean, “Who would dare try to place a bridle on him, as on a horse?” Others believe that the “double bridle” refers to his double row of teeth, and that God is asking if anyone would dare come within the range of these teeth. Others adopt a reading based on the LXX, which has, “Who can enter within the fold of his breast-plate?”

Who can open? If leviathan chooses to keep his mouth closed, who would have the courage or the strength to open it?

Scales. Literally, “shields.” The scales are represented as so many shields.

Neesings. Old English for “sneezings.” When the crocodile, turned toward the sun with open jaws, is excited to sneezing, the water gushing from his mouth glistens brilliantly in the sunlight. Eyes. The small eyes of the crocodile possess a catlike sparkle that has been widely observed.

Burning lamps. The language of this verse is highly figurative. It seems to describe the impression of the monster on the minds of the observers. The snorting, spouting, and splashing of the beast in the sparkling sunlight suggests the idea of lamps and sparks.

Smoke. This verse and v. 21 continue the figurative picture of v. 19.

Neck. As the strength of “behemoth” is in his loins (ch. 40:16), so the strength of leviathan is in his neck. Sorrow is turned. This line reads literally, “and before him dances dismay.” The idea is that everything trembles before him. Wherever he goes he causes terror. People take flight in panic.

Flakes of his flesh. Literally, “the fallings of his flesh,” probably those parts that hang down, as under the chin.

As firm as a stone. Probably referring to the disposition of the leviathan. Nether millstone. The lower millstone. It was larger and harder than the upper.

They purify themselves. Better, “they are beside themselves.”

Cannot hold. No weapon known to Job was effective against this creature.

Iron. Iron and bronze were the most effective metals for implements of warfare known to Job, but they were like straw or rotten wood in dealing with leviathan.

Arrow. Leviathan is not afraid of the puny inventions of men.

Sharp stones. Literally, “sharp pieces of potsherd.” The meaning is that the underparts of the animal were covered with scales like pieces of broken pottery. Sharp pointed things. Imprints on the mudbanks where the animal lies.

Boil like a pot. This describes the appearance of the water when lashed by leviathan. Ointment. This may refer to a peculiar, musklike smell said to be characteristic of the crocodile.

Hoary. The white foam in the creature’s wake makes the water look as if it had grown old and put on white hairs.

King. However proud other beasts may be, they must submit to him.