Job 40:20

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Job 40:1-24

GOD'S CHALLENGE AND JOB'S RESPONSE (vv.1-5) Job had said that if God would only listen to him, he would present his whole case in showing how God was unfair in His dealings (ch.33:3-5). Therefore now God gives Job opportunity to do this. He asks Job, "Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it" (v.2). Where were Job's arguments then? How withering were God's words to the unseemly pride of Job! He says, "Behold, I am vile; what shall I... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Job 40:1-24

WORDS OF ELIHU ; WORDS OF GOD Elihu now comes forward with apparent modesty, and yet great pretensions. Young and inexperienced, he is nevertheless indignant at the manner in which the friends of Job have sought to reply to him. Professing that his views have been revealed from above, he undertakes to clear up all the difficulties in the case. Afflictions are for the good of the sufferer is his dictum, a thought which he exhibits in various lights. He, too, reflects upon Job for his... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Job 40:1-24

The Theophany Job 38-41 We have now come to the portion of the Book of Job which is known as the Theophany, or Appearance, that is to say, the appearance of the Divine Being. Let us set forth the sacred speech in its fulness and unity: 1. Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind [a voice without a form], and said, 2. Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? 3. Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. 4. Where wast thou when... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Job 40:15-24

(15) ¶ Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. (16) Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. (17) He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. (18) His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron. (19) He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him. (20) Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Job 40:20

Leviathan: the whale, or some sea monster. (Challoner) --- Protestants' marginal note, "or a whirlpool." (Haydock) --- But some animal is designated; and Bochart understands the crocodile, which agrees very well with the context. The Thalmudists also say that the calbish is a small fish, which gets into the throat of the leviathan. They mean probably the ichneumon, which kills the crocodile by that means. Leviathan, "the winding serpent," (Calmet) often denotes the dragon or crocodile, (Psalm... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Job 40:15-24

15-24 God, for the further proving of his own power, describes two vast animals, far exceeding man in bulk and strength. Behemoth signifies beasts. Most understand it of an animal well known in Egypt, called the river-horse, or hippopotamus. This vast animal is noticed as an argument to humble ourselves before the great God; for he created this vast animal, which is so fearfully and wonderfully made. Whatever strength this or any other creature has, it is derived from God. He that made the soul... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Job 40:15-24

Job's Weakness Contrasted with the Strength Even of the Hippopotamus v. 15. Behold now behemoth, a monster beast, the water-ox, or hippopotamus, which I made with thee, created by the hand of God like the human beings and living with them on the earth; he eateth grass as an ox, the tender plants, the reeds of the Nile, after the manner of domesticated cattle. v. 16. Lo, now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly, in the sinews and muscles of his abdomen. ... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Job 40:6-24

Second Discourse of Jehovah (together with Job’s answer):To doubt God’s justice, which is most closely allied to His wonderful omnipotence, is a grievous wrong, which must be atoned for by sincere penitence:Job 40:6 to Job 42:61. Sharp rebuke of Job’s presumption, which has been carried to the point of doubting God’s justice:Job 40:6-14Job 40:6. Then answered the Lord unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said:7 Gird up thy loins now like a man:I will demand of thee, and declare thou... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Job 40:1-24

“Hast Thou an Arm like God?” Job 40:1-24 God seemed to await Job’s reply to His questions. Job had protested that he would fill his mouth with arguments, but none was forthcoming. That vision of God had robbed him of self-reliance. He could only humbly acknowledge that he had uttered words enough. He must be led to the further confession, which will come presently, that he had sinned. Compare Job 42:6 . It was as though the Omniscient Eye still saw in Job some trust in himself; God... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Job 40:1-24

There is a pause in the unveiling as Jehovah speaks directly to His servant and asks for an answer to the things that He has said. The answer is full of suggestiveness. The man who in mighty speech and strong defiance had been of unbroken spirit in the presence of all the arguments of his friends now cried out, Behold, I am of small account. What shall I answer Thee? He has learned the wisdom of, and he listens as Jehovah speaks. Again Jehovah proceeds, and He charges Job to "gird up" his... read more

Group of Brands