Job 40

KJV · Chapter 40/42

1Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said,

2Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

3Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

4Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

5Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

6Then answered the Lord unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

7Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

8Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

9Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

10Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.

11Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.

12Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.

13Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.

14Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.

15Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.

16Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.

17He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.

18His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.

19He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.

20Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.

21He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.

22The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.

23Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.

24He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.

📖 Chapter study

Summary

God pauses and asks whether Job still wishes to contend with him; Job humbly answers that he will lay his hand upon his mouth. God then continues describing Behemoth, a land creature of tremendous strength, as an example of his masterwork in creation.

Explanation

Job's brief reply ("Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee?") marks an important turning point, showing the first signs of genuine humility before the magnitude of the divine revelation he is receiving. The description of Behemoth, a gigantic land animal that eats grass like an ox yet has bones like "bars of iron," has been interpreted in various ways throughout history — from a real hippopotamus or elephant to a more symbolic depiction of raw strength beyond humanity's control. Application for today: recognizing one's own limits before realities greater than what one can fully control or understand is an important step toward genuine humility and mature trust in God.

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