CANST THOU DRAW OUT - As a fish is drawn out of the water. The usual method by which fish were taken was with a hook; and the meaning here is, that it was not possible to take the leviathan in this manner. The whole description here is of an animal that lived in the water. LEVIATHAN - Much has been... [ Continue Reading ]
CANST THOU PUT A HOOK INTO HIS NOSE - Or rather, a “rope,” or “cord.” The word used here (אגמון _'agmôn_) means “a caldron,” or “kettle” Job 41:20, also a reed, or bulrush, growing in marshy places, and thus a rope made of reeds, a rush-cord. The idea is, that he could not be led about by a cord, a... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL HE MAKE MANY SUPPLICATIONS UNTO THEE? - In the manner of a captive begging for his life. That is, will he quietly submit to you? Prof. Lee supposes that there is an allusion here to the well-known cries of the dolphin when taken; but it is not necessary to suppose such an allusion. The idea is,... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL HE MAKE A COVENANT WITH THEE? - That is, will he submit himself to thee, and enter into a compact to serve thee? Such a compact was made by those who agreed to serve another; and the idea here is, that the animal here referred to could not be reduced to such service - that is, could not be tame... [ Continue Reading ]
WILT THOU PLAY WITH HIM AS WITH A BIRD? - A bird that is tamed. The art of taming birds was doubtless early practiced, and they were kept for amusement. But the leviathan could not thus be tamed. OR WILT THOU BIND HIM FOR THY MAIDENS? - For their amusement. For such purposes doubtless, birds were c... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL THY COMPANIONS MAKE A BANQUET OF HIM? - This is one of the “vexed passages” about which there has been much difference of opinion. Gesenius renders it, “Do the companions (“i. e.” the fishermen in company) lay snares for him?” So Noyes renders it. Dr. Harris translates it, “Shall thy partners... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]
LAY THINE HAND UPON HIM - Prof. Lee renders this, very improperly, as it seems to me, “Lay thine hand on thy mouth respecting him,” supposing it means that he should be awed into silence by dread of the animal referred to. But the meaning of the passage evidently is, “Endeavor to seize him by laying... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THE HOPE OF HIM IS IN VAIN - That is, the hope of taking him is vain. SHALL NOT ONE BE CAST DOWN EVEN AT THE SIGHT OF HIM? - So formidable is his appearance, that the courage of him who would attack him is daunted, and his resolution fails. This agrees well also with the crocodile. There is... [ Continue Reading ]
NONE IS SO FIERCE THAT DARE STIR HIM UP - No one has courage to rouse and provoke him. WHO THEN IS ABLE TO STAND BEFORE ME? - The meaning of this is plain. It is, “If one of my creatures is so formidable that man dare not attack it, how can he contend with the great Creator? This may perhaps be des... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO HATH PREVENTED ME? - As this verse is here rendered, its meaning, and the reason why it is introduced, are not very apparent. It almost looks, indeed, as if it were an interpolation, or had been introduced from some other place, and torn from its proper connection. Dr. Harris proposes to remove... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL NOT CONCEAL HIS PARTS - This is the commencement of a more particular description of the animal than had been before given. In the previous part of the chapter, the remarks are general, speaking of it merely as one of great power, and not to be taken by any of the ordinary methods. A descript... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO CAN DISCERN THE FACE OF HIS GARMENT? - literally, “Who can reveal the face, that is, the appearance, of his garment?” This “garment” is undoubtedly his skin. The meaning seems to be, “His hard and rough skin is his defense, and no one can so strip off that as to have access to him.” The word ren... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO CAN OPEN THE DOORS OF HIS FACE? - His mouth. The same term is sti 1 used to denote the mouth - from its resemblance to a door. The idea is, that no one would dare to force open his mouth. This agrees better with the crocodile than almost any other animal. It would not apply to the whale. The cro... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS SCALES ARE HIS PRIDE - Margin, “strong pieces of shields.” The literal translation of this would be, “Pride, the strong of shields;” that is, the strong shields. There can be no doubt that there is reference to the scales of the animal, as having a resemblance to strong shields laid close to eac... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY ARE JOINED ONE TO ANOTHER - literally, “A man with his brother;” that is, each one is connected with another. There is no natural fastening of one scale with another, but they lie so close and compact that they seem thus to be fastened down on one another; see Bochart on this verse. It is this... [ Continue Reading ]
BY HIS NEESINGS A LIGHT DOTH SHINE - The word rendered “neesings” means properly sneezing, and the literal sense here would be, “His sneezings, light shines.” Coverdale renders it, “His nesinge is like a glisteringe fyre.” Bochart says that the meaning is, “that when the crocodile sneezes, the breat... [ Continue Reading ]
OUT OF HIS MOUTH GO BURNING LAMPS - The word “lamps” here is probably used to denote torches, or fire-brands. The animal is here described as in pursuit of his prey on land; and the description is exceedingly graphic and powerful. His mouth is then open; his jaws are distended; his breath is thrown... [ Continue Reading ]
OUT OF HIS NOSTRILS GOETH SMOKE - See the quotations on Job 41:19. This appearance of the crocodile, or alligator, has been often noticed. Bertram, in his “Travels in North and South Carolina,” p. 116, says, “While I was seeking a place of rest, I encountered an alligator that in the neighboring lak... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS BREATH KINDLETH COALS - It seems to be a flame, and to set on fire all around it. So Hesiod, “Theog.” i. 319, describing the creation of the Chimera, speaks of it as πνέουσαν ἀμαισάκετον πῦρ _pneousan_ _amaimaketon_ _pur_. “Breathing unquenchable fire,” So Virgil, “Georg.” ii. 140: _Haec... [ Continue Reading ]
IN HIS NECK REMAINETH STRENGTH - That is, strength is “permanently residing” there. It is not assumed for the moment, but his neck is so constructed as to be the abode of strength. The word here rendered “remaineth” (ילין _yālı̂yn_), means properly to pass the night; then to abide or dwell; and the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FLAKES OF HIS FLESH ARE JOINED TOGETHER - Margin, “fallings.” The Hebrew word used here means anything “falling,” or “pendulous,” and the reference here is, probably, to the pendulous parts of the flesh of the animal; the flabby parts; the dew-laps. In animals commonly these parts about the neck... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS HEART IS AS FIRM AS A STONE - As hard; as solid. Bochart remarks that the word “heart” here is not to be regarded as denoting the “courage” of the animal, as it sometimes does, but the heart literally. The statement occurs in the description of the various parts of the animal, and the object is... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE RAISETH UP HIMSELF - When he rouses himself for an attack or in self-defense. THE MIGHTY ARE AFRAID - The Vulgate renders this “anqels.” The meaning is, that he produces alarm on those who are unaccustomed to fear. BY REASON OF BREAKINGS THEY PURIFY THEMSELVES - This, though a literal trans... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SWORD OF HIM THAT LAYETH AT HIM - The word “sword” here (חרב _chereb_) means undoubtedly “harpoon,” or a sharp instrument by which an attempt is made to pierce the skin of the monster. CANNOT HOLD - That is, in the hard skin. It does not penetrate it. THE SPEAR, THE DART - These were doubtless... [ Continue Reading ]
HE ESTEEMETH IRON AS STRAW - He regards instruments made of iron and brass as if they were straw or rotten wood. That is, they make no impression on him. This will agree better with the crocodile than any other animal. So hard is his skin, that a musket-ball will not penetrate it; see numerous quota... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ARROW - Hebrew “the son of the bow.” So Lamentations 3:13, margin. This use of the word son is common in the Scriptures and in all Oriental poetry. SLING-STONES - The sling was early used in war and in hunting, and by skill and practice it could be so employed as to be a formidable weapon; see J... [ Continue Reading ]
DARTS ARE COUNTED AS STUBBLE - The word rendered “darts” (תותח _tôthâch_) occurs nowhere else in the Scriptures. It is from יתח, obsolete root, “to beat with a club.” The word here probably means clubs. Darts and spears are mentioned before, and the object seems to be to enumerate all the usual, i... [ Continue Reading ]
SHARP STONES ARE UNDER HIM - Margin, as in Hebrew, “pieces of pot sherd.” The Hebrew word (חדוד _chaddûd_), means “sharp, pointed”; and the phrase used here means “the sharp points of a potsherd,” or broken pieces of earthenware. The reference is, undoubtedly, to the scales of the animal, which wer... [ Continue Reading ]
HE MAKETH THE DEEP TO BOIL LIKE A POT - In his rapid motion through it. The word “deep” (מצולה _m__e__tsôlâh_) may refer to any deep place - either of the sea, of a river, or of mire, Psalms 69:2. It is applied to the depths of the sea, Jonah 2:3; Micah 7:19; but there is nothing in the word that... [ Continue Reading ]
HE MAKETH A PATH TO SHINE AFTER HIM - This refers doubtless to the white foam of the waters through which he passes. If this were spoken of some monster that commonly resides in the ocean, it would not be unnatural to suppose that it refers to the phosphoric light such as is observed when the waters... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON EARTH THERE IS NOT HIS LIKE - Hebrew, “Upon the dust.” The meaning is, that no other animal can be compared with him; or the land does not produce such a monster as this. For size, strength, ferocity, courage, and formidableness, no animal will hear a comparison with him. This can be true only... [ Continue Reading ]
HE BEHOLDETH ALL HIGH THINGS - That is, he looks down on everything as inferior to him. HE IS A KING OVER ALL THE CHILDREN OF PRIDE - Referring, by “the children of pride,” to the animals that are bold, proud, courageous - as the lion, the panther, etc. The lion is often spoken of as “the king of th... [ Continue Reading ]