Job 41:26 — Word Study
WLCמַשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ חֶ֭רֶב בְּלִ֣י תָק֑וּם חֲנִ֖ית מַסָּ֣ע וְשִׁרְיָֽה׃
BSAObj.ʼêth allkôl highgâbôahh Providerrâʼâh he/she/ithûwʼ King'smelek uponʻal allkôl sonbên prideshachats
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מַשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ | [one who] reaches it | Verb hiphil participle (active) masculine singular common, suffix |
| חֶ֭רֶב | a sword | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| בְּלִ֣י | not | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| תָק֑וּם | it is established | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person feminine singular |
| חֲנִ֖ית | a spear | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| מַסָּ֣ע | a dart | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְשִׁרְיָֽה׃ | and a javelin | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The sword that reaches him has no effect, nor does the spear or dart or arrow. |
| KJV | The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon. |
| ASV | If one lay at him with the sword, it cannot avail; Nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft. |
| YLT | The sword of his overtaker standeth not, Spear — dart — and lance. |
| WEB | If one attacks him with the sword, it can’t prevail; nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft. |
| BBE | The sword may come near him but is not able to go through him; the spear, or the arrow, or the sharp-pointed iron. |
The translations agree on the meaning that weapons cannot harm Leviathan.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a negation phrase, clearly stating the inability of weapons to affect Leviathan.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbהוּא
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 41:26
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 — Job's Description of Leviathangenerated
Job 41:26 presents a vivid image of Leviathan, a creature beyond human control, emphasizing its strength and the futility of human weapons against it. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Job reflects on the might of God's creations, illustrating the limitations of human power and understanding in the face of divine creation.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 39:21–24 | He paws in the valley and rejoices in his strength; he charges into battle. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מַשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ, ma.si.Ge.hugenerated
The verb נָשַׂג (nasag) means 'to reach' or 'to overtake'. In this context, it indicates the action of a weapon attempting to strike Leviathan. The Hiphil participle form suggests an ongoing action, emphasizing the attempt to reach Leviathan but ultimately failing to have any effect.
This word conveys the idea of pursuing or attaining something, but here it highlights the futility of such efforts against a creature of immense power. The parsing as a masculine singular common participle indicates that it refers to the weapon itself as the subject of the action.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible as 'The sword that reaches him has no effect,' which is echoed in the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse contains a main clause with a finite verb תָק֑וּם, it is established, which governs the phrases that follow. The structure emphasizes the subject, 'the sword,' and its relationship to Leviathan, illustrating the futility of the weapon's reach.
The word order places the weapon first, highlighting its impotence against Leviathan. The sentence is constructed with a clear contrast between the weapon and its ineffectiveness, creating a powerful imagery of Leviathan's invulnerability.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates the Hebrew word מַשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ with πᾶν (pan), meaning 'all' or 'every'. This choice broadens the scope, suggesting that no weapon of any kind can prevail against Leviathan, not just those mentioned.
This translation indicates a more general statement about the futility of all weapons against Leviathan, rather than specifying individual types.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 41:26 states that no weapon, including swords, spears, or arrows, can harm Leviathan. This emphasizes the creature's strength and the limitations of human efforts to confront it.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It illustrates that Leviathan is so powerful that no weapon can harm it, highlighting its invulnerability.
Job uses various weapons to emphasize that regardless of the type, none can prevail against Leviathan.
The word indicates an attempt to strike or harm Leviathan, but ultimately shows the futility of such attempts.
It reflects the theme of human limitations in understanding and confronting the power of God's creations.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does this verse teach us about the limits of human strength and power?
- In what ways can we recognize the 'Leviathans' in our own lives that seem invulnerable?
- How can understanding this verse help us in our own struggles against seemingly insurmountable challenges?
- What role does faith play when facing challenges that feel beyond our control?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers commented on Job's depiction of Leviathan, using this verse to discuss the nature of evil and the power of God.
When a sword has reached him, it will not be able to remain, nor a spear, nor a breastplate. 17. In Holy Scripture by a 'sword' is sometimes designated holy preaching, sometimes eternal damnation, sometimes temporal tribulation,Early Church Fathers on Job 41 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 41:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold,.... It is either broken by striking at him, or however cannot pierce him and stick in him; but since a sword is not used in fishery, rather the
Read John Gill on Job 41 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon. Cannot hold - on his hard skin.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 41 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThat layeth at him; that approacheth to him, and dare strike at him. Cannot hold, Heb. cannot stand, i.e. either, 1. Cannot endure the stroke, but will be broken by it. Or rather, 2. Cannot abide or take hold of him, or be fixed in him; but is instantly beaten back by the excessive hardness of the skin, which cannot be pierced by it, as may be gathered from this and other passages before and after it. This also seems better to agree to the crocodile, whose skin no sword, nor dart, nor musket bullet (as others add) can pierce, than to the whale, whose skin is easily pierced, as experience showeth in our whales; except the whale here spoken of were of another kind, which is not impossible.…
Read Matthew Poole on Job 41 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 41:26 The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.Ver. 26. The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold] So close are his scales, so thick his skin, that there is no wounding of him. There was not of old, it seemeth. But now there is a way found of shooting and piercing him, so that he dieth with a horrible noise and outcry. Nor the habergeon] A defensive weapon will be as useless as those other offensive; for the whale will soon swallow up the armed as well as the unarmed.
Read John Trapp on Job 41 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(26) The sword of him that layeth at him.—Literally, As to one approaching him (to slay him), his sword cannot stand; it will snap in his hand.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 41 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 26. Habergeon.] The hauberk, the Norman armour for the head, neck, and breast, formed of rings. See on Ne 4:16.
Read AdamClarke on Job 41 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges12–34. Description of the parts of Leviathan.
Read Cambridge on Job 41 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe 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.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 41 →The verse in English, compared — 15 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 sword that reaches him has no effect, nor does the spear or dart or arrow.
If one attacks him with the sword, it can’t prevail; nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft.
The sword that reaches him has no effect, nor does the spear or dart or arrow.
Whoever strikes it with a sword will have no effect, nor with the spear, arrow, or dart.
Tyndale line
The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.
If one lay at him with the sword, it cannot avail; Nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft.
If one lay at him with the sword, it cannot avail; nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft.
The sword of him that attacketh him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.
Strictly literal
If any reach him with a sword, it cannot hold; neither spear, nor dart, nor harpoon.
The sword of his overtaker standeth not, Spear — dart — and lance.
The sword of his overtaker does not stand, || Spear, dart, and breastplate.
(41:18) If one overtake him with the sword, it cannot hold; nor the spear, the dart, and armor.
If a sword strikes him, it does nothing— and neither does a spear, an arrow, or any other pointed weapon.
Simplified
Swords just bounce off it, as do spears, darts, and javelins.
The sword may come near him but is not able to go through him; the spear, or the arrow, or the sharp-pointed iron.
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 largely agree in their wording for this verse, with six out of seven words matched. The Septuagint's translation reflects a similar understanding of Leviathan's invulnerability, though its word order differs.
מַשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ חֶ֭רֶב בְּלִ֣י תָק֑וּם חֲנִ֖ית מַסָּ֣ע וְשִׁרְיָֽה׃
6 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 41:26
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.
נָשַׂג (nasag) is a Hebrew verb primarily found in the Hiphil form, meaning to reach or overtake. It encompasses a range of meanings including the ability to attain or secure something, as well as the literal act of reaching or taking hold. The entries consistently highlight its figurative use, indicating sufficiency or capability.
[נָשַׂג] vb. only Hiph. reach, overtake
Hiph.
overtake
reach, attain
cause to reach, bring, put
fig. one’s hand has reached, i.e. one is able, or has enough
base
H5381 נָשַׂג only Hiph. reach, overtake
5381 nasag naw-sag'
a primitive root; to reach (literally or
figuratively):--ability, be able, attain (unto), (be able to,
can) get, lay at, put, reach, remove, wax rich, X surely,
(over-)take (hold of, on, upon).
נָשַׂג (na.sag) — to overtake.
1) to reach, overtake, take hold upon
1a) (Hiphil)
1a1) to overtake
1a2) to reach, attain to, cause to reach
1a3) to be able to secure, reach, have enough
HVhrmsc/Sp3ms — Verb hiphil participle (active) masculine singular common · suffixHVhrmsc/Sp3ms
חֶ֫רֶב (chereb) means 'sword' and can also refer to other cutting instruments like knives and tools. It is derived from a root meaning 'drought,' highlighting its destructive nature. The term is used in various contexts in the Old Testament, primarily to denote weapons.
חֶ֫רֶב 411 n.f. sword (as weapon)
base
H2719 חֶ֫רֶב sword (as weapon)
2719 chereb kheh'-reb
from 2717; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its
destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp
implement:--axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool.
see HEBREW for 02717
חֶ֫רֶב (che.rev) — sword.
1) sword, knife
1a) sword
1b) knife
1c) tools for cutting stone
HNcfsa — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
sord.
See ARMOR, III, 5.
Sword
Of the Hebrew was pointed, sometimes two-edged, was worn in a sheath, and suspended from the girdle (Ex. 32:27; 1 Sam. 31:4; 1 Chr. 21:27; Ps. 149:6: Prov. 5:4; Ezek. 16:40; 21:3-5).
It is a symbol of divine chastisement (Deut. 32:25; Ps. 7:12; 78:62), and of a slanderous tongue (Ps. 57:4; 64:3; Prov. 12:18). The word of God is likened also to a…
[ARMS, ARMOR]
בְּלִי (bli) refers to a state of wearing out or destruction, and serves as an adverb of negation meaning 'without' or 'not.' It is derived from the root meaning failure and can indicate absence or lack in various contexts.
בְּלִי subst. wearing out, hence
fig. destruction
defect, failure, hence adv. of negation
base
H1097 בְּלִי subst. wearing out, hence . fig. destruction
. defect, failure, hence adv. of negation
1097 bliy bel-ee'
from 1086; properly, failure, i.e. nothing or destruction;
usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as
long as, etc.:--corruption, ig(norantly), for lack of, where
no...is, so that no, none, not, un(awares), without.
see HEBREW for 01086
בְּלִי (be.li) — without.
subst
1) wearing out
adv of negation
2) without, no, not
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
The Hebrew word קוּם (qum) is a primitive root meaning 'to rise' and encompasses a range of actions such as standing, becoming powerful, and establishing. It can imply a sudden or hostile rise, as well as the act of fulfilling or confirming something. The entries also note various grammatical forms, indicating its use in different contexts, including raising up or causing to stand.
לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.
ref
קוּם 628 vb. arise, stand up, stand
Qal 460
arise
arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)
arise, abs., = become powerful
arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet
arise for, i.e. to become
arise for action
arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed
esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere
stand
Pi.
fulfil
confirm, ratify
confirm, establish
impose, an obligation
Pō‛l. raise up
Hithpō‛l. raise oneself, = rise up
Hiph.
146cause to arise, raise
raise, set up, stones
erect, build
fig, of setting up law
raise up = bring on the scene
raise up = rouse, stir up
instigate, build
fig, of setting up law
raise up = constitute
cause to stand
Hoph. be raised up
base
H6965a לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash H6965b קוּם arise, stand up, stand .. arise
. arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)
. arise, abs., = become powerful
. arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet
. arise for, i.e. to become
. . arise for action
. arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed
. esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere
. stand
. . fulfil
. . confirm, ratify
. confirm, establish
. impose, an obligation
. raise up
. raise oneself, = rise up
. . cause to arise, raise
. . raise, set up, stones
. erect, build
. fig, of setting up law
. raise up = bring on the scene
. . raise up = rouse, stir up
. instigate, build
. fig, of setting up law
. raise up = constitute
. cause to stand
. be raised up
6965 quwm koom
a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal,
figurative, intensive and causative):--abide, accomplish, X
be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, X be dim, endure, X
enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift
up (again), make, X but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise
(up), rear (up), remain, (a-)rise (up) (again, against), rouse
up, set (up), (e-)stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up,
strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -
rising).
קָמָי (qa.may) — (Leb)-kamai.
Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B)
§ -Kamai = "my adversary"
Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai
קוּם (qum) — to arise: rise.
: rise/get_going
1) to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to arise
1a2) to arise (hostile sense)
1a3) to arise, become powerful
1a4) to arise, come on the scene
1a5) to stand
1a5a) to maintain oneself
1a5b) to be established, be confirmed
1a5c) to stand, endure
1a5d) to be fixed
1a5e) to be valid
1a5f) to be proven
1a5g) to be fulfilled
1a5h) to persist
1a5i) to be set, be fixed
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to fulfil
1b2) to confirm, ratify, establish, impose
1c) (Polel) to raise up
1d) (Hithpael) to raise oneself, rise up
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to cause to arise, raise
1e2) to raise, set up, erect, build
1e3) to raise up, bring on the scene
1e4) to raise up, rouse, stir up, investigate
1e5) to raise up, constitute
HVqi3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singularHVqi3fs
חֲנִית (chaniyth) refers to a spear or lance, emphasizing its use for thrusting. The term encompasses various parts of the spear, including the shaft and spear-head. Additionally, it is noted metaphorically in relation to the teeth of lions. The word is derived from חָנָה (chanah), suggesting a connection to flexibility.
חֲנִית n.f. spear (as flexible?)
spear, as hurled
shaft of spear
spear-head
butt of spear
metaph. of teeth of lions
base
H2595 חֲניִת spear
2595 chaniyth khan-eeth'
from 2583; a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a
tent):--javelin, spear.
see HEBREW for 02583
חֲנִית (cha.nit) — spear.
1) spear
1a) spear
1a1) shaft of a spear
1a2) spear-head
HNcfsa — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
מַסָּע (macca`) refers to both a quarry or the act of quarrying, as well as a missile or dart. It is derived from a root meaning to project, indicating both the extraction of stones and the launching of projectiles. The word appears in contexts such as 1 Kings 6:7 and Job 41:18, highlighting its dual meanings.
מַסָּע n.[m.] quarry or quarrying;—only abs. as adv. 1 K 6:7
ref
מַסָּע missile, dart;—only abs. Jb 41:18
ref
H4551a מַסָּע quarry or quarrying H4551b מַסָּע missile, dart
4551 macca` mas-saw'
from 5265 in the sense of projecting; a missile (spear or
arrow); also a quarry (whence stones are, as it were,
ejected):--before it was brought, dart.
see HEBREW for 05265
מַסָּע (mas.sa) — quarry.
quarry, quarrying, breaking out (of stones)
מַסָּע (mas.sa) — missile.
missile, dart
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
Dart
An instrument of war; a light spear. “Fiery darts” (Eph. 6:16) are so called in allusion to the habit of discharging darts from the bow while they are on fire or armed with some combustible material. Arrows are compared to lightning (Deut. 32:23, 42; Ps. 7:13; 120:4).
שִׁרְיָה (*shiryah*) refers to a weapon, possibly a lance or javelin, while שִׁרְיוֹן (*shiryon*) denotes body armor or a breastplate. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to turn,' suggesting a twisted form, and is associated with protective gear in the context of battle, as seen in Job 41:18.
שִׁרְיָה n.f. a weapon, perhaps lance, javelin;—Jb 41:18
ref
שִׁרְיוֹן, שִׁרְיָ֑ן n.[m.] body-armour
base
H8302a שִׁרְיָה a weapon, perhaps lance, javelin H8302b שִׁרְיוֹן, שִׁרְיָ֑ן body-armour
8302 shiryown shir-yone'
or shiryon {shir-yone'}; and shiryan {shir- yawn'}; also
(feminine) shiryah {shir-yaw'}; and shiryonah {shir-yo-naw'};
from 8281 in the original sense of turning; a corslet (as if
twisted):--breastplate, coat of mail, habergeon, harness.
See 5630.
see HEBREW for 08281
see HEBREW for 05630
שִׁרְיָה (sir.yah) — lance.
1) a weapon
1a) perhaps a lance, javelin
שִׁרְיוֹן (shir.yon) — armor.
body armour
HC/Ncfsa — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absoluteHC/Ncfsa
jav'-lin, jav'-e-lin.
See ARMOR; ARMS.
Javelin
(1.) Heb. hanith, a lance, from its flexibility (1 Sam. 18:10, 11; 19:9, 10; 20:33).
(2.) Heb. romah, a lance for heavy-armed troops, so called from its piercing (Num. 25:7). (See ARMS.)
[ARMS, ARMOR]