Job 41:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 41:1-10

Whether this leviathan be a whale or a crocodile is a great dispute among the learned, which I will not undertake to determine; some of the particulars agree more easily to the one, others to the other; both are very strong and fierce, and the power of the Creator appears in them. The ingenious Sir Richard Blackmore, though he admits the more received opinion concerning the behemoth, that it must be meant of the elephant, yet agrees with the learned Bochart's notion of the leviathan, that it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 41:7

Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears? This seems not so well to agree with the whale; whose skin, and the several parts of his body, are to be pierced with harpoons and lances, such as fishermen use in taking whales; and their flesh to be cut in pieces with their knives: but better with the crocodile, whose skin is so hard, and so closely set with scales, that it is impenetrable; See Gill on Ezekiel 29:4 . Or if the words are rendered, as by some, "wilt... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 41:7

Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? - This refers to some kind of harpoon work, similar to that employed in taking whales, and which they might use for some other kinds of animals; for the skin of the crocodile could not be pierced. Herrera says that he saw a crocodile defend itself against thirty men; and that they fired six balls at it without being able to wound it. It can only be wounded under his belly. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 41:1-34

The crowning description of a natural marvel—the "leviathan," or crocodile—is now given, and with an elaboration to which there is no parallel in the rest of Scripture. It forms, however, a fit climax to the gradually more and more elaborate descriptions of Job 38:39-41 ; Job 39:1-30 ; and Job 40:15-24 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 41:1-34

Jehovah to Job: the second answer: 3. Concerning leviathan. I. THE ANIMAL INTENDED . 1 . A serpentine creature. This implied in the name leviathan, which signifies "a wreathed or twisted animal," as distinguished from the tannin , or "long-extended monsters" ( Genesis 1:21 ). 2 . An aquatic monster. Though amphibious as to its habits, the behemoth was essentially a land animal; the entire description of leviathan points to a tenant of the deep (verses l, 2, 31, 32).... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 41:1-34

Description of the leviathan, or crocodile. The description is in two parts. I. The first part shows THE DIFFICULTY OR WELL - NIGH IMPOSSIBILITY OF CIRCUMVENTING AND CAPTURING THIS HUGE AND SLIPPERY CREATURE . ( Job 41:1-7 .) In language of irony and almost of taunt this fact is set forth. Here, then, is a mere creature of God before which man must feel his helplessness. If man cannot overcome the creature, how much less shall he pretend to vie with the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 41:1-34

Leviathan the terrible. This terrible monster has a whole chapter to himself. His portrait is painted on a broad canvas, and it is as full of life and movement as it is of form and colour. Representing the crocodile, though enlarged and idealized, leviathan is a picture of the most terrible of the works of nature. I. THERE ARE TERRIBLE THINGS IN NATURE . When we look at the cruel jaws of the crocodile, gaping in readiness for its prey, and the little snake-like eyes watching... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 41:7

Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? The hippopotamus was captured in this way by the Egyptians at an early date, and hence the idea of trying the same mode of capture with the crocodile would naturally arise; but in the time of Job it would seem that no one had been bold enough to attempt it. The skin of the crocodile is penetrable in very few places, and his capture by a single man with a harpoon, though now sometimes practised, is still a work of danger and difficulty. Or his head... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 41:7

Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? - Referring to its thickness and impenetrability. A common method of taking fish is by the spear; but it is here said that the leviathan could not be caught in this manner. The common method of taking the crocodile now is by shooting him; see the notes at Job 41:1. Nothing is more remarkable in the crocodile than the thick and impenetrable skin with which it is covered; and the description here will agree better with this animal than with any other.Or... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 41:7-8

Job 41:7-8. Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? A whale’s skin you may; but the skin of a crocodile is so hard that an iron, or spear, will not pierce it. It may, however, be understood also of the whale, for though they are taken at this day by piercing their skin with barbed irons, this art and way of taking them is but a late invention, and was not known in Job’s time; and, besides, he doth not speak of the absolute impossibility, but of the great difficulty of taking them. Lay... read more

Group of Brands