Job 40:21
Job 40:21 in Multiple Translations
He lies under the lotus plants, hidden among the reeds of the marsh.
He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
He lieth under the lotus-trees, In the covert of the reed, and the fen.
He takes his rest under the trees of the river, and in the pool, under the shade of the water-plants.
It lies under the lotus; it hides in the reeds of the marsh.
Canst thou cast an hooke into his nose? canst thou perce his iawes with an angle?
Under shades he lieth down, In a secret place of reed and mire.
He lies under the lotus trees, in the covert of the reed, and the marsh.
He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
Canst thou put a ring in his nose, or bore through his jaw with a buckle?
They lie down in the water under the lotus plants; they hide in tall reeds in the swamps.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 40:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 40:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תַּֽחַת
צֶאֱלִ֥ים
יִשְׁכָּ֑ב
בְּ/סֵ֖תֶר
קָנֶ֣ה
וּ/בִצָּֽה
תַּֽחַת
tachath
H8478
underneath
Prep
צֶאֱלִ֥ים
tseʼel
H6628
lotus
N-mp
יִשְׁכָּ֑ב
shâkab
H7901
to lie down
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
בְּ/סֵ֖תֶר
çêther
H5643
secrecy
Prep | N-ms
קָנֶ֣ה
qâneh
H7070
branch
N-ms
וּ/בִצָּֽה
bitstsâh
H1207
swamp
Conj | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 40:21
תַּֽחַת
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
צֶאֱלִ֥ים
tseʼel
H6628
"lotus"
N-mp
The lotus tree is a type of plant mentioned in the Bible, known for its shady leaves and thorny branches. It is described as a unique and notable tree in the biblical landscape.
Definition: 1) a kind of lotus 1a) a thorny lotus shrub
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: shady tree. See also: Job 40:21; Job 40:22.
יִשְׁכָּ֑ב
shâkab
H7901
"to lie down"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To lie down can mean to rest, sleep, or have sexual relations, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible. It can also mean to relax or be at rest.
Definition: : lay_down/lie_with 1) to lie down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lie, lie down, lie on 1a2) to lodge 1a3) to lie (of sexual relations) 1a4) to lie down (in death) 1a5) to rest, relax (fig) 1b) (Niphal) to be lain with (sexually) 1c) (Pual) to be lain with (sexually) 1d) (Hiphil) to make to lie down 1e) (Hophal) to be laid
Usage: Occurs in 194 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, cast down, (lover-)lay (self) (down), (make to) lie (down, down to sleep, still with), lodge, ravish, take rest, sleep, stay. See also: Genesis 19:4; 1 Kings 11:43; Psalms 3:6.
בְּ/סֵ֖תֶר
çêther
H5643
"secrecy"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a shelter or covering, like a place to hide. It can also mean protection, as in Psalm 18:11 where God is a shelter from danger.
Definition: 1) covering, shelter, hiding place, secrecy 1a) covering, cover 1b) hiding place, shelter, secret place 1c) secrecy 1c1) secrecy (of tongue being slanderous)
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: backbiting, covering, covert, [idiom] disguise(-th), hiding place, privily, protection, secret(-ly, place). See also: Deuteronomy 13:7; Psalms 61:5; Psalms 18:12.
קָנֶ֣ה
qâneh
H7070
"branch"
N-ms
This word describes a branch or reed, and is used to represent measurement, strength, or support. In the Bible, it is used to describe objects like the rod of a steelyard or the branches of a lampstand.
Definition: : branch 1) reed, stalk, bone, balances 1a) stalk 1b) water-plant, reed 1c) calamus (aromatic reed) 1d) derived meanings 1d1) measuring-rod 1d2) reed (as unit of measure-6 cubits) 1d3) beam (of scales-for scales themselves) 1d4) shaft (of lampstand) 1d5) branches (of lampstand) 1d6) shoulder-joint
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: balance, bone, branch, calamus, cane, reed, [idiom] spearman, stalk. See also: Genesis 41:5; Isaiah 19:6; Psalms 68:31.
וּ/בִצָּֽה
bitstsâh
H1207
"swamp"
Conj | N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to a swamp or marshy area, often translated as fen or mire in the Bible.
Definition: swamp, marsh
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: fen, mire(-ry place). See also: Job 8:11; Job 40:21; Ezekiel 47:11.
Study Notes — Job 40:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 40:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 40:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 40:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 40:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 40:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 40:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 40:21
- Cambridge Bible on Job 40:21
- Barnes' Notes on Job 40:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 40:21
Context — The LORD Challenges Job Again
19He is the foremost of God’s works; only his Maker can draw the sword against him.
20The hills yield him their produce, while all the beasts of the field play nearby.
21He lies under the lotus plants, hidden among the reeds of the marsh.
22The lotus plants conceal him in their shade; the willows of the brook surround him. 23Though the river rages, Behemoth is unafraid; he remains secure, though the Jordan surges to his mouth.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 35:7 | The parched ground will become a pool, the thirsty land springs of water. In the haunt where jackals once lay, there will be grass and reeds and papyrus. |
| 2 | Isaiah 19:6–7 | The canals will stink; the streams of Egypt will trickle and dry up; the reeds and rushes will wither. The bulrushes by the Nile, by the mouth of the river, and all the fields sown along the Nile, will wither, blow away, and be no more. |
Job 40:21 Summary
The verse Job 40:21 describes a powerful creature that lives in the water and hides among the lotus plants and reeds of the marsh. This creature is likely a hippopotamus or a crocodile, and it feels secure in its natural habitat, as described in Job 40:22-23. This verse teaches us about God's power and wisdom in creating such a complex and beautiful world, as mentioned in Psalm 19:1-6 and Romans 1:20. It also reminds us of the importance of respecting and caring for God's creation, as seen in Genesis 1:28-30 and Psalm 24:1-2, where we are called to be good stewards of the earth and all its creatures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of creature is being described in Job 40:21?
The creature being described is likely a hippopotamus or a crocodile, given the context of the lotus plants and the marsh, as seen in Job 40:21, which is consistent with the description of Behemoth in Job 40:15-24, a powerful creature created by God, as mentioned in Job 40:19 and Psalm 104:24-25.
Why is the creature described as lying under the lotus plants?
The creature is described as lying under the lotus plants because it is hiding among the reeds of the marsh, as stated in Job 40:21, which suggests that it is a semi-aquatic creature that feels secure in its natural habitat, much like the description of the dove in Psalm 55:6-8, which longs to find rest in the wilderness.
What does this verse reveal about God's creation?
This verse reveals that God's creation is full of wonder and diversity, as seen in the description of the creature's habitat in Job 40:21-22, and it highlights God's power and wisdom in creating such a complex and beautiful world, as mentioned in Psalm 19:1-6 and Romans 1:20.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of the book of Job?
This verse relates to the overall message of the book of Job by emphasizing God's sovereignty and power, as seen in the description of the creature and its habitat in Job 40:15-24, which is a key theme in the book of Job, as mentioned in Job 38:1-7 and Job 42:1-6, where God speaks to Job and reveals His power and wisdom.
Reflection Questions
- What can we learn about God's character from the way He describes the creature in Job 40:21?
- How does the description of the creature's habitat in Job 40:21-22 reflect the beauty and diversity of God's creation?
- What does the fact that the creature feels secure in its natural habitat, as described in Job 40:21-23, reveal about God's provision and care for His creation?
- How can we apply the lessons learned from this verse to our own lives and our relationship with God?
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of respecting and caring for God's creation, as mentioned in Psalm 24:1-2 and Genesis 1:28-30?
Gill's Exposition on Job 40:21
He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 40:21
Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 40:21
The elephant lies down to rest himself; and it is but fabulous which some writers affirm, that they have no joints in their legs, and so cannot lie down, but sleep or rest themselves standing or leaning against a tree; which is denied and confuted by Aristotle in his History of Living Creatures, 2, 4. and by later writers. For the elephant, being a creature naturally hot, and living generally in hot countries, diligently seeks for and delights in shady and waterish places, as is noted by Aristotle, and after him by Pliny and Ælian.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 40:21
Job 40:21 He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.Ver. 21. He lieth under the shady trees] Vatablus readeth the words questioning thus, Lieth he under the shady trees, in the covert of the reeds and fens? No such matter, he is too big to be shaded by trees; neither can reeds and fens cover him (So R. Levi, and Kimchi). But Aristotle tells us, That he loves to lie by the banks of rivers beset with trees, as being naturally hot, and bred in hot countries; and yet he is impatient with cold and winter (De Hist. Anim. l. 9, c. 46). And therefore when Hannibal brought many elephants out of Africa into italy, they all perished in the cold Alps, except only that one whereupon Hannibal himself rode (Pliny lib. 8, c. 10). In the covert of the reed, and fens] Hence Cardinus saith, That the elephant is of a swinish nature, delighted with mud and mire, Ad calorem frangendum crasso coeno perfunduntur (Plin.). And Gulielmus Parisiensis applieth Behemoth in the fens, to the devil in sensual hearts. He sleepeth in moist places, saith he; that is, in those that lie melting in sinful pleasures and delights; therefore, Luke 11:24, it is said that he walketh in dry places, seeking rest, but finding none; and, Ezekiel 47:11, when the waters of the sanctuary overflowed, the miry places could not be healed.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 40:21
(21) He lieth under the shady trees.—If this description applies to any one animal, it seems on the whole more appropriate to the elephant than the hippopotamus. No doubt the judgment of critics has been biased by their pre-conceived notions about the circumstances under which they suppose the Book of Job to have been written; and the author was more likely, it is thought, to have been acquainted with the river-horse of Egypt than with the elephant of India, though, to be sure, elephants abound also in Africa, and may very well have been known to the writer of Job from that quarter, if the other is less likely.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 40:21
Verse 21. He lieth under the shady trees] This and the following verses refer to certain habits of the behemoth, with which we are and must be unacquainted,
Cambridge Bible on Job 40:21
21. the shady trees] Rather, the lotus trees. And so in Job 40:22.
Barnes' Notes on Job 40:21
He lieth under the shady trees - Referring to his usually inactive and lazy life.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 40:21
21. Shady trees — Lotus trees. The lotus silvestris, a thorny shrub, bearing fruit-like plumes, growing abundantly in Syria, Arabia, and along the banks of the upper Nile.