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Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 41:1-34

Two beasts (40:15-41:34)Before Job accepts the challenge to govern the moral order, God warns him that it is far more difficult than governing the natural and physical order. Therefore, Job must first consider what power he has over, for instance, the beasts. Two examples are sufficient to impress upon Job that he faces an impossibility. The first of these is the monster Behemoth, generally thought to be the hippopotamus. It is among the strongest creatures of God’s creation (15-18),... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Job 41:30

Job 41:30. Sharp stones are under him— His nether parts are like sharp potsherds. He dasheth himself on the mud like a threshing cart. Heath. חרוצ charutz, is rightly rendered by Bochart tribula, an instrument used in threshing of corn, a kind of sledge, furnished with sharp iron wheels. This was drawn over the straw by oxen, and at the same time thrashed out the corn, and cut the straw into small pieces, reducing it to chaff. An instrument of this kind is still used in the east for the same... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Job 41:30

30. stones—rather, "potsherds," that is, the sharp and pointed scales on the belly, like broken pieces of pottery. sharp-pointed things—rather, "a threshing instrument," but not on the fruits of the earth, but "on the mire"; irony. When he lies on the mire, he leaves the marks of his scales so imprinted on it, that one might fancy a threshing instrument with its sharp teeth had been drawn over it (Isaiah 28:27). read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Job 41:1-34

The Second Speech of the Almighty (concluded)The second great creature, the Crocodile (with which the ’leviathan’ is generally identified) is now described. If Job cannot control the crocodile, dare he contend with Him who made it? The crocodile is found in the Crocodile River under Carmel as well as in Egypt.Hook] RV ’fishhook.’ 1b. RV ’Or press down his tongue with a cord.’ This may be an allusion to the method of treating a refractory camel or mule by tying down its tongue with the... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Job 41:6-34

The Second Speech of the AlmightyJob, we know, in his anxiety to prove his integrity had been led into casting doubts on the justice of God’s government of the world. He is here ironically invited to take God’s place as ruler of the universe, and to display a wisdom as great as that of God. If he proved himself competent to do this, then, and not till then, he may consider himself independent of God and criticise His actions.8. Disannul my judgment] deny my righteousness. 13. In secret] RV ’in... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Job 41:30

(30) He spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.—Some render, “He spreadeth, as it were, a threshing-wain upon the mire.” The statement is, that he not only can lie without inconvenience upon sharp-pointed things, but his own body presents a sharp surface to the mud he lies on. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Job 41:1-34

Job 41:1 For the sake of its literary interest, Charles Lamb's famous application of this verse in his essay on 'Shakespeare's Tragedies' may be cited: 'The play (i.e. King Lear') is beyond all art, as the tamperings with it show: it is too hard and stony; it must have love scenes and a happy ending. It is not enough that Cordelia is a daughter, she must shine as a lover too. Fate has put his hook in the nostrils of this leviathan, for Garrick and his followers, the showmen of the scene, to... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Job 41:1-34

XXVIII.THE RECONCILIATIONJob 38:1 - Job 42:6THE main argument of the address ascribed to the Almighty is contained in chapters 38 and 39 and in the opening verses of chapter 42. Job makes submission and owns his fault in doubting the faithfulness of Divine providence. The intervening passage containing descriptions of the great animals of the Nile is scarcely in the same high strain of poetic art or on the same high level of cogent reasoning. It seems rather of a hyperbolical kind, suggesting... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Job 41:1-34

CHAPTER 41 1. Leviathan, the untamable beast of power (Job 41:1-11 ) 2. Its description (Job 41:12-24 ) 3. His remarkable strength (Job 41:25-34 ) Job 41:1-11 . The leviathan has generally been identified with the crocodile. Like the behemoth, the leviathan is a strong and untamable beast. Jehovah asks, Canst thou draw up leviathan with a hook? Canst thou pierce his jaw with a reed? Will he make a covenant with thee? Wilt thou take him for a servant forever? Then He declares that he is... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Job 41:30

41:30 Sharp stones {i} [are] under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.(i) His skin is so hard that he lies with a great ease on the stones as in the mud. read more

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