Job 41:23 — Word Study
WLCמַפְּלֵ֣י בְשָׂר֣וֹ דָבֵ֑קוּ יָצ֥וּק עָ֝לָ֗יו בַּל־ יִמּֽוֹט׃
BSAto boilrâthach potçîyr depthmᵉtsôwlâh Westyâm to setsûwm ointment pot/seasoningmerqâchâh
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מַפְּלֵ֣י | [the] hanging parts of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| בְשָׂר֣וֹ | flesh its | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| דָבֵ֑קוּ | they cling | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
| יָצ֥וּק | hard | Verb, Qal, participle (passive) masculine singular |
| עָ֝לָ֗יו | to it | Preposition, suffix |
| בַּל־ | not | Particle |
| יִמּֽוֹט׃ | it is moved | Verb, Niphal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The folds of his flesh are tightly joined; they are firm and immovable. |
| KJV | The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved. |
| ASV | The flakes of his flesh are joined together: They are firm upon him; they cannot be moved. |
| YLT | The flakes of his flesh have adhered — Firm upon him — it is not moved. |
| WEB | The flakes of his flesh are joined together. They are firm on him. They can’t be moved. |
| BBE | The plates of his flesh are joined together, fixed, and not to be moved. |
Where they part company is מַפְּלֵי — see How Translations Differ.
The structure centers around the main clause describing Leviathan's flesh, with an adverbial phrase emphasizing its qualities.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbמְצוֹלָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 41:23
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Description of Leviathangenerated
Job 41:23 describes Leviathan, a powerful creature, emphasizing its physical attributes and strength. The surrounding verses (Job 41:22-25) highlight Leviathan's might and the fear it instills in others, portraying it as an unstoppable force of nature.
Cross References
The Key Word — מַפְּלֵי, ma.pe.Leigenerated
The word מַפְּלֵי (*ma'plei*) is a noun in the masculine plural construct, derived from the root רָתַח (*ratah*), meaning 'to fall off.' It refers to the hanging parts or flakes of something, specifically the flaky skin of a crocodile in this context. This term conveys the idea of something that is not only external but also of little worth, akin to refuse.
In this verse, it describes the tightly joined parts of Leviathan's flesh, emphasizing its formidable and cohesive structure. The use of this word highlights the creature's resilience and strength, suggesting that its physical appearance contributes to its fearsome reputation.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the description of Leviathan's flesh as 'tightly joined' and 'firm and immovable.' The BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE all convey this idea without significant variation.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb דָבֵ֑קוּ (*they cling*) governs the description of Leviathan's flesh, with phrases detailing its firmness and immovability. The structure emphasizes the cohesive nature of its flesh, indicating that it is not easily separated.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the qualities of Leviathan's flesh, with the subject and its attributes closely linked, creating a vivid image of its strength.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint uses the Greek word ἀναζεῖ (*anazēi*) to translate מַפְּלֵי, suggesting a focus on the idea of something being firmly attached or clinging. This choice indicates a slight shift in nuance, emphasizing the unyielding nature of Leviathan's flesh.
The LXX reflects an interpretation that aligns with the physical description found in the Hebrew text, although the exact terms differ.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 41:23 describes Leviathan's flesh as tightly joined, emphasizing its strength and immovability. This verse highlights the creature's formidable nature, as seen in the surrounding verses that discuss its power and the fear it evokes.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It refers to the tightly joined, flaky parts of Leviathan's skin, emphasizing its strength and resilience.
This description highlights Leviathan's formidable nature, suggesting that it is a creature that cannot easily be shaken or defeated.
It implies that the parts of Leviathan's flesh are closely adhered to one another, contributing to its overall strength.
It illustrates the power of creation and the majesty of God, as seen in the depiction of Leviathan as an unstoppable force.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What aspects of God's creation do I find awe-inspiring, like the description of Leviathan?
- How can I recognize the strength and resilience in my own life, as reflected in this verse?
- In what ways can I appreciate the complexity and power of God's creations?
- How does understanding the nature of creatures like Leviathan affect my view of God's sovereignty?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Gregory the Dialogist comments on this verse in his work, interpreting Leviathan's flesh as symbolic of the reprobate.
The members of his flesh cling to each other. 8. The 'flesh' of this Leviathan are all the reprobate, who rise not in their longing to a knowledge of their spiritual country.Early Church Fathers on Job 41 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 41:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe flakes of his flesh are joined together,.... The muscles of his hefty are not flaccid and flabby, but solid and firmly compacted; they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved; that is, not
Read John Gill on Job 41 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved. Flakes - rather, dewlaps. That which falls down: margin, fallings [ mapaal (H4651), from naapal (H5307), fall].
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 41 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe flakes, or parts, which stick out, or hang loose, and are ready to fall from other fishes or creatures. Of his flesh: the word flesh is used of fishes also, as . They cannot, without difficulty, be moved, to wit, out of their place, or from the other members of the body.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 41 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 41:23 The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.Ver. 23. The flakes of his flesh are joined together] Heb. The failings, or the refuse and vilest parts, as the word is rendered, Amos 8:6. Now if God be so punctual in the description of these also, can any one think that he hath let pass anything in the Holy Scriptures that belong to our salvation? What need is there then of human traditions? They are firm in themselves] Heb. molten. Firm they must be, because so joined together. Vis unita fortior; but dissension is the mother of dissolution. England is a mighty animal (saith a great politician) which can never die, except it kill…
Read John Trapp on Job 41 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(23) The flakes of his flesh—i.e., the parts that in other animals hang down: e.g., dewlaps, &c., are not flabby, as with them.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 41 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 23. The flakes of his flesh] His muscles are strongly and firmly compacted.
Read AdamClarke on Job 41 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges23. The verse reads, The flakes of his flesh cleave fast together; It is firm upon him, it is not moved. The “flakes” of his flesh are the parts beneath the neck and belly, which in most animals are soft and pendulous; in him they are firm and hard. In the second clause it refers to his flesh, which is “firm,” lit. cast or molten, and does not move, or shake, with the motions of his body.
Read Cambridge on Job 41 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe 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
Read Albert Barnes on Job 41 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The folds of his flesh are tightly joined; they are firm and immovable.
The flakes of his flesh are joined together. They are firm on him. They can’t be moved.
The folds of his flesh are tightly joined; they are firm and immovable.
The folds of its flesh are tightly joined; they are firm on it, immovable.
Tyndale line
The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.
The flakes of his flesh are joined together: They are firm upon him; they cannot be moved.
The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm upon him; they cannot be moved.
The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.
He maketh a path to shine after him: one would thinke the depth as an hoare head.
Strictly literal
The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are fused upon him, they cannot be moved.
The flakes of his flesh have adhered — Firm upon him — it is not moved.
The flakes of his flesh have adhered—Firm on him—it is not moved.
(41:15) The flakes of his flesh are fitted closely together: they are as molten metal on him, immovable.
The folds of his flesh are joined together; they are firm on him; they cannot be moved.
From the Latin
A path shall shine after him, he shall esteem the deep as growing old.
Simplified
Its body is dense and solid, as if it is made from cast metal.
The plates of his flesh are joined together, fixed, and not to be moved.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint show agreement on the overall description of Leviathan, though the Septuagint's wording differs in some respects. Four of the seven words match, indicating a degree of consistency in the portrayal of the creature.
מַפְּלֵ֣י בְשָׂר֣וֹ דָבֵ֑קוּ יָצ֥וּק עָ֝לָ֗יו בַּל־ יִמּֽוֹט׃
4 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 41:23
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
מַפָּל (mappal) refers to refuse or hanging parts, derived from the root meaning 'to fall off.' It encompasses concepts like chaff and flaps, with specific mention of the hanging parts of a crocodile. The term appears in contexts related to waste or discarded material.
[מַפָּל] n.m. refuse, hanging parts
base
H4651 מַפָּל
4651 mappal map-pawl'
from 5307; a falling off, i.e. chaff; also something
pendulous, i.e. a flap:--flake, refuse.
see HEBREW for 05307
מַפָּל (map.pal) — refuse.
1) refuse, hanging parts
1a) fallings, refuse
1b) hanging parts (of a crocodile)
HNcmpc — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
בָּשָׂר (basar) means 'flesh' and encompasses various meanings, including the physical body, kinship, and a euphemism for male genitalia. It can refer to humans, animals, and all living things, highlighting the frailty of man in relation to God. The entries consistently emphasize its bodily and relational aspects.
בָּשָׂר 266 n.m. flesh
of the body
flesh for the body itself
male organ of generation (euphemism)
flesh for kindred, blood-relations
man over against God as frail or erring
base
H1320 בָּשָׂר flesh . of the body
. flesh for the body itself
. male organ of generation (euphemism)
. flesh for kindred, blood-relations
. man over against God as frail or erring
1320 basar baw-sawr'
from 1319; flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body,
person; also (by euphem.) the pudenda of a man:--body, (fat,
lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-)kind, + nakedness, self, skin.
see HEBREW for 01319
בָּשָׂר (ba.sar) — flesh.
1) flesh
1a) of the body
1a1) of humans
1a2) of animals
1b) the body itself
1c) male organ of generation (euphemism)
1d) kindred, blood-relations
1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God)
1f) all living things
1g) animals
1h) mankind
Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)
HNcmsc/Sp3ms — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
דָּבַק, transliterated as dabaq, is a Hebrew verb meaning to cling or cleave. It encompasses a range of actions such as adhering closely, pursuing, and being joined together. The word appears in various forms, including Qal, Pual, Hiphil, and Hophal, indicating different nuances of the action. Notably, it can describe both physical and metaphorical closeness.
דָּבַק, דָּבֵק vb. cling, cleave, keep close
Qal
cling, cleave to
cling, cleave to
Pu. of crocodile’s scales, they are joined together
Hiph.
cause to cling or cleave to
pursue closely
overtake
Hoph. and my tongue is made to cleave (to) my gums
base
H1692 דָּבַק, דָּבֵק cling, cleave, keep close
1692 dabaq daw-bak'
a primitive root; properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere;
figuratively, to catch by pursuit:--abide fast, cleave (fast
together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together),
keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, take.
דָּבַק (da.vaq) — to cleave.
1) to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to, overtake, catch
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to cling, cleave to
1a2) to stay with
1b) (Pual) to be joined together
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to cleave to
1c2) to pursue closely
1c3) to overtake
1d) (Hophal) to be made to cleave
Aramaic equivalent: de.vaq (דְּבֵק "to cleave" H1693)
HVqp3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp
The Hebrew word יָצַק (*yatsaq*) means to pour, cast, or flow. It is a primitive root that encompasses actions like pouring out, melting, and establishing something firmly. The entries detail its uses in different forms, including Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, indicating various aspects of pouring and casting, as well as being firmly established.
יָצַק vb. pour, cast, flow
Qal
pour, pour out
cast (objects of metal)
Pt.pass. as adj. fig. cast, hard, of crocodile’s scales
intrans. flow, pour
Hiph. pour (oil)
Hoph.
be poured
Pt. = cast, molten
Pt., fig. firmly established
base
H3332 יָצַק pour, cast, flow
3332 yatsaq yaw-tsak'
a primitive root; properly, to pour out (transitive or
intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by
extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard:--cast,
cleave fast, be (as) firm, grow, be hard, lay out, molten,
overflow, pour (out), run out, set down, stedfast.
יָצַק (ya.tsaq) — to pour: pour.
: pour
1) to pour, flow, cast, pour out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pour, pour out
1a2) to cast
1a3) to flow
1b) (Hiphil) to pour, pour out
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be poured
1c2) cast, molten (participle)
1c3) being firmly established (participle)
יָצַק (ya.tsaq) — to pour: cast metal.
: cast_metal
1) to pour, flow, cast, pour out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pour, pour out
1a2) to cast
1a3) to flow
1b) (Hiphil) to pour, pour out
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be poured
1c2) cast, molten (participle)
1c3) being firmly established (participle)
יָצַק (ya.tsaq) — to pour: set down.
: set_down
1) to pour, flow, cast, pour out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pour, pour out
1a2) to cast
1a3) to flow
1b) (Hiphil) to pour, pour out
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be poured
1c2) cast, molten (participle)
1c3) being firmly established (participle)
יָצַק (ya.tsaq) — to pour: firm.
: firm
1) to pour, flow, cast, pour out
1a) (Qal)
HVqsmsa — Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine singularHVqsmsa
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
prep
1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)
1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
1e) over (of suspension or extension)
1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
1h) to (as a dative)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3ms
בַּל (bal) is an adverb meaning 'not' or 'none.' It conveys a sense of negation, indicating absence or failure. The word is derived from a root that implies nothingness and can also be used in contexts like 'lest' or 'neither.' The entries consistently emphasize its function as a negation in various forms.
בַּל 69 adv. not
base
H1077 בַּל not
1077 bal bal
from 1086; properly, a failure; by implication nothing;
usually (adverb) not at all; also lest:--lest, neither, no,
none (that...), not (any), nothing.
see HEBREW for 01086
בַּל (bal) — not.
not, hardly, else
HTn — ParticleHTn
מוֹט (mot) is a Hebrew verb meaning to totter, shake, or slip. It has various forms, including Qal (to totter), Niphal (to be shaken), Hiphil (to dislodge), and Hithpael (to be greatly shaken). The entries indicate a range of meanings related to instability and movement, but do not specify any particular Old Testament verses.
[מוֹט] vb. totter, shake, slip
Qal totter, slip
Niph. be shaken, moved, overthrown
Hiph. dislodge, let fall, drop
Hithpo‛l. be greatly shaken
base
H4131 [מוֹט] totter, shake, slip
4131 mowt mote
a primitive root; to waver; by implication , to slip, shake,
fall:--be carried, cast, be out of course, be fallen in
decay, X exceedingly, fall(-ing down), be (re-)moved, be
ready, shake, slide, slip.
מוֹט (mot) — to shake.
1) to totter, shake, slip
1a) (Qal) to totter, shake, slip
1b) (Niphal) to be shaken, be moved, be overthrown
1c) (Hiphil) to dislodge, let fall, drop
1d) (Hithpael) to be greatly shaken
HVNi3ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVNi3ms