Job 40

2. Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct Him? etc. Rather, “Will he who censured the Almighty contend? Will he who reproved God reply to this?” i.e., to the interrogations of the foregoing chapters.

VERS. 3-5. Job replies to the demand of God by a penitential confession.

5. Once . . . twice. That is, “repeatedly”: ep. xxxiii. 14, 29. This confession of Job shows that a right view of the glorious perfections and wonderful works of God is fitted to produce a deep sense of our own sinfulness: see Isa. vi. 5. To Job personally this quickening of the sense of sin, accompanied as it was by entire submission to God, was the turning-point in his life.

VER. 7-XLI. God again addresses Job, rebuking him (7, 8); and continuing the argument in proof of His own majesty and power as displayed in executing His judgements (9-14), and in the formation of the behemoth (15-24) and leviathan (xli.). God has wrought in Job’s mind conviction of sin, but does not give peace and joy at once. He still “speaks out of the whirlwind,” and deepens the sense of unworthiness.

11. Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath. Better, “Pour forth the overflowings of thine anger” (R.V.).

15 behemoth. This is generally thought to be the hippopotamus.

which I made with thee. That is, “equally with thee.”

16 the navel. Or, “the muscles” or “sinews.”

17 like a cedar. Probably alluding to the elevation and rigidity of the tail when the animal is enraged.

The sinews, etc. Rather, “The sinews of his thighs are firmly twisted.”

18 strong pieces of brass. Or, “tubes of copper.”

19 the chief of the ways of God. That is, chief in size and strength. So the words are used in Numb. xxiv. 20; Amos vi. 1, 6.

He that made him can make, etc. Rather, “He who made him gave him his sword”; i.e., the means of attack and defence.

21 the shady trees. The wild lotus, or Egyptian water-lily, which grows in marshy places.

23. Behold, he drinketh up a river, etc. Rather, “Lo! a river overflows [but] he is not alarmed: he is unmoved, should the Jordan rush upon his mouth.”

24. He taketh it with his eyes, etc. Rather, “Will any one, in his eyes (i.e., when he is on his guard), take him? Can any one pierce his nose with ‘snares’ or ‘hooks’?” i.e., insert a cord or ring to tame or lead him (Isa. xxxvii. 29).