> [[job-39|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-41|Next →]] --- # Job, Chapter 40 ## Chapter 40 1 The LORD then answered Job and said: ^job-40-1 2 Will one who argues with the Almighty be corrected? ^job-40-2 Let him who would instruct God give answer! 3 Then Job answered the LORD and said: ^job-40-3 4 Look, I am of little account; what can I answer you? ^job-40-4 I put my hand over my mouth. 5 I have spoken once, I will not reply; ^job-40-5 twice, but I will do so no more. 6 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm and said: ^job-40-6 7 Gird up your loins now, like a man. ^job-40-7 I will question you, and you tell me the answers! 8 Would you refuse to acknowledge my right? ^job-40-8 Would you condemn me that you may be justified? 9 Have you an arm like that of God, ^job-40-9 or can you thunder with a voice like his? 10 Adorn yourself with grandeur and majesty, ^job-40-10 and clothe yourself with glory and splendor. 11 Let loose the fury of your wrath; ^job-40-11 look at everyone who is proud and bring them down. 12 Look at everyone who is proud, and humble them. ^job-40-12 Tear down the wicked in their place, 13 bury them in the dust together; ^job-40-13 in the hidden world imprison them. 14 Then will I too praise you, ^job-40-14 for your own right hand can save you. 15 Look at Behemoth, whom I made along with you, ^job-40-15 who feeds on grass like an ox. 16 See the strength in his loins, ^job-40-16 the power in the sinews of his belly. 17 He carries his tail like a cedar; ^job-40-17 the sinews of his thighs are like cables. 18 His bones are like tubes of bronze; ^job-40-18 his limbs are like iron rods. 19 He is the first of God’s ways, ^job-40-19 only his maker can approach him with a sword. 20 For the mountains bring him produce, ^job-40-20 and all wild animals make sport there. 21 Under lotus trees he lies, ^job-40-21 in coverts of the reedy swamp. 22 The lotus trees cover him with their shade; ^job-40-22 all about him are the poplars in the wadi. 23 If the river grows violent, he is not disturbed; ^job-40-23 he is tranquil though the Jordan surges about his mouth. 24 Who can capture him by his eyes, ^job-40-24 or pierce his nose with a trap? 25 Can you lead Leviathan about with a hook, ^job-40-25 or tie down his tongue with a rope? 26 Can you put a ring into his nose, ^job-40-26 or pierce through his cheek with a gaff? 27 Will he then plead with you, time after time, ^job-40-27 or address you with tender words? 28 Will he make a covenant with you ^job-40-28 that you may have him as a slave forever? 29 Can you play with him, as with a bird? ^job-40-29 Can you tie him up for your little girls? 30 Will the traders bargain for him? ^job-40-30 Will the merchants divide him up? 31 Can you fill his hide with barbs, ^job-40-31 or his head with fish spears? 32 Once you but lay a hand upon him, ^job-40-32 no need to recall any other conflict! \* (40:4] – [5) Job’s first reaction is humble, but also seemingly cautious. \* (40:8] – [14) The issue is joined in these verses, and the Lord seems to challenge Job to play God and to bring down the proud and wicked. \* (40:15) Behemoth: a primeval monster of chaos; identified by some scholars as the hippopotamus, on which the description of Behemoth is partially based. The point of the Behemoth-Leviathan passages is that only the Lord, not Job, can control the cosmic evil which these forces symbolize. \* (40:24) Eyes…nose: the only exposed parts of the submerged beast. \* (40:25) Leviathan: although identified by some scholars as the crocodile, it is more likely another chaos monster; see note on [3:8]. \* (40:30) Merchants: lit., “Canaanites,” whose reputation for trading was so widespread that their name came to be used for merchants; cf. [Prv 31:24]. a. (40:2) [Jb 38:3]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[job-39|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-41|Next →]]