Job
Chapter 40
The Lord said to Job:
Must a faultfinder argue with the Almighty? Let anyone who would correct God provide an answer.
Job’s Response to the Lord
Job said:
How can I reply, unworthy as I am! All I can do is cover my mouth.
I have spoken once; now I will not answer. Oh, yes, twice, but I will do no more.
The Lord’s Second Speech
Then the Lord spoke to Job the storm:
Gird up your loins like a man; I will question you, and you must answer.
Would you deny my right and condemn me so that you may be justified?
Do you have an arm like God’s, and can you thunder with a voice like this?
Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, array yourself with grandeur and majesty.
Unleash the fury of your wrath;
seek out every proud man and humble him; conquer the wicked where they stand.
Bury them all in the dust, and lock them in the dungeon.
If you can do this, I, myself, will praise you, admitting that your right hand can save you.
Think about Behemoth, who feeds on grass like the ox.
What strength he has in his loins, what power in the muscles of his belly!
Like a cedar, his tail sways, the sinews of his thighs are like cables.
His bones like tubes of bronze, his limbs like iron rods.
He is first among the works of God, created to dominate his companions.
The mountains provide him with their bounty, as do all the wild animals that play there.
Under the lotus trees, he lies hidden among the reeds of the marsh.
The lotus trees shade him with their cover; the poplar trees on the shore surround him.
He is not afraid, even though the river roars and torrents pound against his mouth.
Who can catch him with their eyes, or trap him and pierce his nose?
Can you catch Leviathan with a hook, or tame his tongue with a bit?
Can you put a ring through his nose or pierce his jaw with a hook?
Will he keep begging you for mercy, or speak to you with gentle words?
Will you keep him as your slave forever?
Will you make a pet of him like a bird, or put him on a leash for your servants?
Will traders bargain for him? Will merchants sell him by the piece?
Can you fill his hide with harpoons or his head with fish spears?
Just try to lay a hand on him— you won’t forget the struggle, and you won’t do it again!
Commentaries
First Speech of the Lord.
God speaks from the storm. Job is invited to enter into the primordial mystery of the cosmos. First, the foundation of the earth is described as a house built according to a detailed architectural plan (38:4-7). After discussing the basic structure of the cosmos, the Lord returns to the mysteries of the universe, particularly atmospheric phenomena (38:22-30). God’s interests go far beyond the small world of Job’s human concerns. His creative power also manifests his providence. Can Job produce rain, wrapping himself in the storm cloud as in a cloak? (38:34f). Truly, the Lord has created everything with wisdom (38:33-38; cf. Prov 3:18-20; 18:22-30; Ps 104:24). The rest of the discourse is devoted to the animal world (38:39-39:30). It suggests that the Lord not only knows the animals, but also has them under his control, and this is a blessing for humanity. Thus end the two parts of the first discourse, with which the Lord responds to Job’s accusation that there is no plan or providence in the world.
Discourses of the Lord.
The Lord has been listening and taking note (35:13); now he speaks. Job’s friends thought there was no need for God to speak. Job, on the other hand, did; he has asked him for either a list of charges or a verdict. Everyone is surprised. The Lord enters the debate as one more participant and responds with two speeches (38:1-40:2; 40:6-41:26), to which Job, in turn, will react briefly with two others (40:3-5; 42:1-6). The Lord does not answer any of the questions raised; in fact, his words offer only a series of counter-questions intended to bring Job out of his narrow perspective and open him up to a broader horizon.
Job’s Response to the Lord.
The Lord pauses to let Job respond. Earlier, Job mentioned that people covered their mouths with their hands before speaking as a sign of respect (29:9). Now, it is he who covers his mouth respectfully. Job does not admit to any sin; he is overwhelmed by the mystery of God and the universe.
The Lord’s Second Speech.
The Lord presents another challenge. Is it really necessary for Job to condemn God just to prove his own innocence? (40:8). This section describes two mighty monsters: Behemoth (40:15-24) and, more extensively, Leviathan (40:25-41:26). Scholars interpret them as the hippopotamus and crocodile—and that’s how we have translated them—but in Middle Eastern culture, they also represent myths or symbols of ancient chaos, which the Lord, having created them, rules and controls. We are likely dealing with a blend of zoology and mythology. God challenges Job: Can you put a rope through their noses? Can you catch them? (40:24). Both monsters roam the world, charging and attacking to bring everything back to chaos, but they are not in charge—God is! And God does not destroy them; he controls them.