Job 41:5

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Job 41:5 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Can you pet him like a bird or put him on a leash for your maidens?

King James Version KJV

Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

American Standard Version ASV

Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? Or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

Bible in Basic English BBE

Will you make sport with him, as with a bird? or put him in chains for your young women?

Free Bible Version FBV

Will you play with it like a pet bird? Will you put it on a leash for your girls?

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Who shall open the doores of his face? his teeth are fearefull round about.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Dost thou play with him as a bird? And dost thou bind him for thy damsels?

World English Bible WEB

Will you play with him as with a bird? Or will you bind him for your girls?

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.

Translation for Translators T4T

Can you cause them to become pets like you cause birds to become your pets? Can you put a leash/rope around their necks so that your servant girls can play with them?

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Job 41:5

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 41:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB מִֽי גִ֭לָּה פְּנֵ֣י לְבוּשׁ֑/וֹ בְּ/כֶ֥פֶל רִ֝סְנ֗/וֹ מִ֣י יָבֽוֹא

מִֽי mîy H4310 who? Part

גִ֭לָּה gâlâh H1540 to reveal V-Piel-Perf-3ms

פְּנֵ֣י pânîym H6440 face N-cp

לְבוּשׁ֑/וֹ lᵉbûwsh H3830 clothing N-ms | Suff

בְּ/כֶ֥פֶל kephel H3718 double Prep | N-ms

רִ֝סְנ֗/וֹ reçen H7448 bridle N-ms | Suff

מִ֣י mîy H4310 who? Part

יָבֽוֹא bôwʼ H935 Lebo V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 41:5

מִֽי mîy H4310 "who?" Part

This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.

Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever

Usage: Occurs in 342 OT verses. KJV: any (man), [idiom] he, [idiom] him, [phrase] O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), [phrase] would to God. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalms 4:7.

גִ֭לָּה gâlâh H1540 "to reveal" V-Piel-Perf-3ms

This Hebrew word means to reveal or uncover something, often in a way that's embarrassing or shameful. It can also mean to exile someone, forcing them to leave their home. In some cases, it's used to describe God revealing himself to people.

Definition: : reveal[information] 1) to uncover, remove 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to uncover 1a2) to remove, depart 1a3) to go into exile 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) (reflexive) 1b1a) to uncover oneself 1b1b) to discover or show oneself 1b1c) to reveal himself (of God) 1b2) (passive) 1b2a) to be uncovered 1b2b) to be disclosed, be discovered 1b2c) to be revealed 1b3) to be removed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to uncover (nakedness) 1c1a) nakedness 1c1b) general 1c2) to disclose, discover, lay bare 1c3) to make known, show, reveal 1d) (Pual) to be uncovered 1e) (Hiphil) to carry away into exile, take into exile 1f) (Hophal) to be taken into exile 1g) (Hithpael) 1g1) to be uncovered 1g2) to reveal oneself

Usage: Occurs in 167 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, [idiom] plainly, publish, remove, reveal, [idiom] shamelessly, shew, [idiom] surely, tell, uncover. See also: Genesis 9:21; Job 38:17; Psalms 18:16.

פְּנֵ֣י pânîym H6440 "face" N-cp

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.

לְבוּשׁ֑/וֹ lᵉbûwsh H3830 "clothing" N-ms | Suff

This word refers to clothing or garments, and sometimes even a wife. It is used in descriptions of how people dress, like in the book of Matthew. The KJV translates it as apparel or clothing.

Definition: clothing, garment, apparel, raiment Aramaic equivalent: le.vush (לְבוּשׁ "garment" H3831)

Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: apparel, clothed with, clothing, garment, raiment, vestment, vesture. See also: Genesis 49:11; Job 41:5; Psalms 22:19.

בְּ/כֶ֥פֶל kephel H3718 "double" Prep | N-ms

This word means something that is doubled or a duplicate. In the Bible, it can refer to something that is repeated or twofold. The KJV translates it as double.

Definition: double, a doubling

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: double. See also: Job 11:6; Job 41:5; Isaiah 40:2.

רִ֝סְנ֗/וֹ reçen H7448 "bridle" N-ms | Suff

A bridle is a restraint, like a halter on an animal. In the Bible, it can also mean the jaw, like the powerful jaw of a crocodile. It's about control and restraint.

Definition: 1) something that restrains, halter, jaw 1a) halter 1a1) of restraint thrown off (fig) 1b) jaw (of crocodile)

Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: bridle. See also: Job 30:11; Psalms 32:9; Isaiah 30:28.

מִ֣י mîy H4310 "who?" Part

Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever

יָבֽוֹא bôwʼ H935 "Lebo" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.

Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter

Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.

Study Notes — Job 41:5

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Job 41:5 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Job 41:5
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 41:5
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 41:5
Trapp's Commentary on Job 41:5
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 41:5
Cambridge Bible on Job 41:5
Barnes' Notes on Job 41:5
Whedon's Commentary on Job 41:5

Context — The LORD’s Power Shown in Leviathan

3Will he beg you for mercy or speak to you softly? 4Will he make a covenant with you to take him as a slave for life?

5Can you pet him like a bird or put him on a leash for your maidens?

6Will traders barter for him or divide him among the merchants? 7Can you fill his hide with harpoons or his head with fishing spears?

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Judges 16:25–30	And while their hearts were merry, they said, “Call for Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison to entertain them. And they stationed him between the pillars. Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Lead me where I can feel the pillars supporting the temple, so I can lean against them.” Now the temple was full of men and women; all the lords of the Philistines were there, and about three thousand men and women were on the roof watching Samson entertain them. Then Samson called out to the LORD: “O Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, O God, just once more, so that with one vengeful blow I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.” And Samson reached out for the two central pillars supporting the temple. Bracing himself against them with his right hand on one pillar and his left hand on the other, Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people in it. So in his death he killed more than he had killed in his life.
2	Job 28:11	He stops up the sources of the streams to bring what is hidden to light.

Job 41:5 Summary

Job 41:5 asks if we can pet a powerful creature like Leviathan or put it on a leash, highlighting the absurdity of trying to control something that is beyond our power. This verse reminds us that God is the only one who can truly control the uncontrollable, and that we should trust in His sovereignty, even when things seem out of control (Psalm 135:6, Isaiah 46:10). By recognizing the limits of our power and control, we can learn to surrender to God's will and trust in His wisdom, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:11. This verse encourages us to have a healthy respect for God's power and to trust in His goodness, even when we don't understand what's happening, as seen in Job 42:2-3 and Romans 8:28.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the question about petting the creature like a bird in Job 41:5?

The question highlights the absurdity of trying to tame a powerful creature like Leviathan, emphasizing God's sovereignty and power, as seen in Job 41:1-34 and Psalm 104:25-26.

Why does God ask if the creature can be put on a leash for maidens in Job 41:5?

This rhetorical question underscores the idea that Leviathan is a fearsome creature, not a domesticated animal, and that God is the only one who can truly control it, as stated in Isaiah 27:1 and Ezekiel 29:3-5.

How does Job 41:5 relate to the overall theme of the book of Job?

This verse contributes to the book's exploration of God's power and wisdom, encouraging readers to trust in His sovereignty, even in the face of suffering and uncertainty, as expressed in Job 42:2-3 and Romans 11:33-36.

What can we learn from the tone and language used in Job 41:5?

The use of rhetorical questions and vivid imagery in this verse teaches us about God's sense of humor and creative way of communicating truth, as seen in Proverbs 8:1-36 and Isaiah 55:8-11.

Reflection Questions

How do I respond when faced with situations that seem as uncontrollable as Leviathan, and what does this reveal about my trust in God's sovereignty?
In what ways can I apply the lesson of Job 41:5 to my own life, recognizing the limits of my power and control, and surrendering to God's will?
What are some areas in my life where I try to 'tame' or control things that are beyond my power, and how can I release them to God's care, as encouraged in Matthew 11:28-30 and 1 Peter 5:7?
How can I use the imagery of Job 41:5 to share the gospel with others, emphasizing God's power and wisdom, and the futility of human efforts to control the uncontrollable, as seen in Acts 17:22-31 and Romans 1:19-23?

Gill's Exposition on Job 41:5

Wilt thou play with him as [with] a bird?.... In the hand or cage: leviathan plays in the sea, but there is no playing with him by land, Psalms 104:26; or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? or young girls, as Mr.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 41:5

Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? A bird - that is tamed. Bind him for thy maidens? - with a thread or string, as a pet or toy for them.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 41:5

As with a bird; as children play with little birds kept in cages, or tied with strings, which they do at their pleasure, and without any fear? For thy maidens; for thy little daughters; which he mentions rather than little sons, because such are most subject to fear.

Trapp's Commentary on Job 41:5

Job 41:5 Wilt thou play with him as [with] a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?Ver. 5. Wilt thou play with him as with a bird?] Shall he make thee sport, as those poor birds that serve as pastime for little children? Or as the foolish Emperor Honorius delighted in his bird Roma (so he called it), at the loss whereof, when the city was taken by the Vandals, he grieved more than at all the rest? Indignum sane, regem aves praeferre viribus, saith the divine chronologer. Wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?] Shall your daughters tie him with a thread, which, lengthening or strengthening at their discretion, shall make his prison either larger or straiter?

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 41:5

Verse 5. Wilt thou play with him] Is he such a creature as thou canst tame; and of which thou canst make a pet, and give as a plaything to thy little girls? נערותיך naarotheycha; probably alluding to the custom of catching birds, tying a string to their legs, and giving them to children to play with; a custom execrable as ancient, and disgraceful as modern.

Cambridge Bible on Job 41:5

5. Wilt thou make a pet thing of him? The commentators quote Catullus, passer, deliciœ meœ puellœ.

Barnes' Notes on Job 41:5

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.

Whedon's Commentary on Job 41:5

5. As with a bird — Catullus (ii, 1) speaks of “the sparrow, the delight of my girl.” Generically, the crocodile was probably the most untamable of animals, and yet even they have now and then been tamed to do the will of man.