Job 40:22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 40:15-24

God, for the further proving of his own power and disproving of Job's pretensions, concludes his discourse with the description of two vast and mighty animals, far exceeding man in bulk and strength, one he calls behemoth, the other leviathan. In these verses we have the former described. ?Behold now behemoth, and consider whether thou art able to contend with him who made that beast and gave him all the power he has, and whether it is not thy wisdom rather to submit to him and make thy peace... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 40:22

The shady trees cover him with their shadow ,.... Under which it lies, as in Job 40:21 ; which is thought not so well to agree with the elephant, since, according to Aelianus F8 Ibid. (Aelian. de Animal.) c. 31. and other writers, it lies not down, at least but rarely, but sleeps standing; it being very troublesome to it to lie down and rise up again; and besides it is represented by some authors F9 Ibid. l. 7. c. 6. as higher than the trees, and therefore this is supposed to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 40:22

The willows of the brook compass him - This would agree well enough with the hippopotamus. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 40:6-24

Job's confession not having been sufficiently ample, the Divine discourse is continued through the remainder of this chapter, and through the whole of the next, the object being to break down the last remnants of pride and self-trust in the soul of the patriarch, and to bring him to complete submission and dependence on the Divine will. The argument falls under three heads—Can Job cope with God in his general providence (verses 6-14)? can he even cope with two of God's creatures—with behemoth... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 40:15-24

This passage, together with the whole of Job 41:1-34 ; has been regarded by some critics as an interpolation. Its omission would certainly not affect the argument; and it is thought, in some respects, to contain traces of a later age than that which most commentators assign to the remainder of the book, or, at any rate, to the greater portion of it. The recurrence to the animal creation, when the subject seemed to have been completed ( Job 39:30 ), is also a difficulty. But, on the other... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 40:15-24

Jehovah to Job: the second answer: 2. Concerning behemoth. I. THE RELATION OF BEHEMOTH TO OTHER ANIMALS . "He is the chief of the ways of God" (verse 19). This huge monster, this giant among beasts, as perhaps the above-cited phrase indicates, is commonly supposed to have been the hippopotamus, or Nile-horse. It is here described by a variety of particulars. 1 . Its terrific strength. Concerning this are noted: 2 . Its herbivorous appetite. "He eateth grass as an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 40:15-24

Behemoth the great. Two monster animals, the hippopotamus and the crocodile, are set before us in typical characteristics, to idealize the great works of God in the animal kingdom. I. GOD IS THE CREATOR OF THE ANIMAL WORLD . "God made the beast of the earth after his kind" ( Genesis 1:25 ). We have not left the presence of God when we have come to study natural history. Here we may see indications of Divine thought. Even the coarsest wild animals are under the care of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 40:22

The shady trees (or, the lotus trees ) cover him with their shadow (see the comment on Job 40:21 ); the willows of the brook compass him round about. The "willow of the brook" ( Leviticus 23:40 ) is probably the Saliz Aegyptiaca , or safsaf , which grows plentifully in the Nile valley, fringing the course both of the Nile itself and of the many streams derived from it. The Saliz Babylonica , or "weeping willow," is less likely. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 40:22

The shady trees - Probably the “lote-trees;” see the note at Job 40:21. The same word is used here.The willow-trees of the brook - Of the “stream,” or “rivulet.” The Hebrew word (נחל nachal) means rather “a wady;” a gorge or gulley, which is swollen with torrents in the winter, but which is frequently dry in summer; see the notes at Job 6:15. Willows grew commonly on the banks of rivers. They could not be cultivated in the desert; Isaiah 15:7. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 40:21-22

Job 40:21-22. He lieth under the shady trees, &c. Or, He lieth down secretly between the shady trees, under the covert of the reed, and in the fens, Houbigant and Heath. The shady trees cover him The Hebrew, literally translated, is, The shady trees, ( צללו , tzillo,) his shadow, cover him, or, are his arbour: the willows of the brook, or, as נחל , nachal, is often rendered, of the river, compass him about. Bochart argues, that the elephant is not described here,... read more

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