Job 41:2

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Job 41:1-34

LEVIATHAN (vv.1-34) Leviathan was a water creature, and appears to be the crocodile, the most fearsome of all aquatic beasts, unless it was another similar animal, now extinct. Job could use a hook to catch fish, but how futile the thought of a hook for a crocodile! (v.1). His jaws and his nose are impervious to any kind of attack (v.2). Could Job persuade him to respond softly to him in order to bring about his submission? (v.4). The very appearance of the crocodile is hostile and... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Job 41:1-34

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 41:1-34

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 41:1-10

(1) ¶ Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? (2) Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn? (3) Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee? (4) Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant forever? (5) Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? (6) Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Job 41:1-34

Job's Weakness when Compared with the Strength of the Crocodile v. 1. Canst thou draw out leviathan, the great and fierce crocodile of Egypt and other Mediterranean countries, with an hook, or purse-net, or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? Rather, "Into the line dost thou press down his tongue," namely, when he has taken the bait and the drawing of the line pushes aside his tongue. v. 2. Canst thou put an hook, a ring made of plaited rushes, such as were drawn through the... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Job 41:1-34

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 41:1-34

the Parable of the Crocodile Job 41:1-34 The last paragraph described the hippopotamus; the whole of this chapter is devoted to the crocodile. In a series of striking questions the voice of the Almighty suggests his greatness. He is not an animal with whom you can play, or to whom you can speak soft words, or whose skin can be reached withsharpened weapons. His scales, Job 41:12-17 ; his eyes, mouth, and nostrils, Job 41:18-24 ; his fearlessness of human attack, Job 41:25-29 ; his power to... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Job 41:1-34

Leviathan is almost certainly the crocodile, and there is the playfulness of a great tenderness in the suggestions Jehovah makes to Job about these fierce creations. Can Job catch him with a rope or a hook? Will he pray to Job? Will Job make a servant or a plaything of him for himself or his maidens? There is a fine, and yet most tender and humorous, satire in the words of Jehovah! Lay thine hand upon him; Remember the battle, and do so no more. If none dare stir up leviathan, who can stand... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Job 41:1-34

Job 41. Leviathan.— The author regards the crocodile as impossible of capture. In Job 41:1 b perhaps the meaning is that when caught the crocodile cannot be led about by a rope round his tongue and lower jaw. In Job 41:8 “ Remember the battle” seems to mean, “ Bethink thee of the struggle involved.” We have already noted that Duhm places Job 41:9-2 Kings : after Job 39:24. In Job 41:10 b me” is of course God, but Targ, and some MSS. read “ him” so mg.) . Whatever we do with Job 41:9 f. the... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Job 41:2

An hook, Heb. a bulrush, i.e. a hook like a bulrush, with its head hanging down, as is expressed, Isaiah 58:5. Into his nose, to hang him up by it for sale, or to carry him home for use, after thou hast drawn him out of the sea or river, of which he spake in the former verse. With a thorn; or, with an iron hook or instrument as sharp as a thorn, wherewith thou usest to carry little fishes. read more