Job 40:15-24 meaning

In Job 40:15-24, God introduces a large creature that man cannot tame, with the implication that if humans cannot tame nature, then why do they think they can question God’s purposes? He introduces the first creature, saying:“Behold now, Behemoth, which I made as well as you; He eats grass like an ox (v. 15).

What do Job and Behemoth have in common? They were both made by God. He is the creator of both. That means Job has more in common with Behemoth than he has with God. In the previous section God challenged Job, saying that if he could prove his power then God would consent to abide by his standard. But now God makes the point that Job is not the creator but rather a created being.

Can Job tame this fellow creature? The resulting verses suggest that the answer is “No”:

• “Behold now, his strength in his loins And his power in the muscles of his belly (v. 16.) The picture is of a creature that you don’t want to mess with.
• “He bends his tail like a cedar; The sinews of his thighs are knit together (v. 17). With a tail like a cedar and exceedingly strong thighs, this is not an animal to be trifled with.
• “His bones are tubes of bronze; His limbs are like bars of iron (v. 18). This does not sound like a creature that is vulnerable to attack from a human.

  The next verse says He is the first of the ways of God; Let his maker bring near his sword (v. 19). The Hebrew word translated the first can also be translated “the choicest” which seems to be the meaning here. This is a creature that rules his environment. And that appears to be the marsh and reed areas along the rivers: Surely the mountains bring him food, And all the beasts of the field play there (v. 20).

  This would indicate a river environment, as precipitation runoff from mountains and the gravity flow of the runoff creates rivers. The rivers carry nutrients, and thus bring him food. The next verses paint a picture of the Behemoth living in and along the river:

• “Under the lotus plants he lies down, In the covert of the reeds and the marsh (v. 21).
• “The lotus plants cover him with shade; The willows of the brook surround him (v. 22).
•  “If a river rages, he is not alarmed; He is confident, though the Jordan rushes to his mouth (v. 23).

  The Behemoth is the king of his environment. He lives without fear. Even if the river floods (river rages) he is not alarmed. This indicates he is of a size and stature than he is even impervious to flash floods, a remarkable statement. Even if the Jordan River floods right to his mouth he does not fear.

  The final rhetorical question ends the chapter, when God asks: Can anyone capture him when he is on watch, With barbs can anyone pierce his nose? (v. 24).

  The expected answers to these rhetorical questions are

• “No, no one can capture him when he is on watch” and
• “No, no one can pierce his nose with barbs.”

  The image of the Behemoth having his nose pierced with barbs is an image of capture. The Hebrew word translated barbs is often rendered “snares.” The idea is that no one is going to get a loop around Behemoth’s nose and capture him. It is inferred that no one is going to even attempt to capture him.

  We do not know what the Behemoth is. It could be a creature that is now extinct. But it is clear that Job knew, and got the point, as we will see in Job 42:1-6.

  In summary, Job got the message from his inquisition of Chapters 38-39 that when he properly considers God’s perspective, he realizes that he is very small, and in no way has sufficient understanding to question God (Job 40:3-5).

  Now God is challenging Job regarding his own power and authority. Does Job have the power and authority sufficient to impose upon God a standard by which God should behave? Through the example of the Behemoth, God makes it clear to Job that he does not even have the power to capture one of his fellow creatures. So why would he think he has the power or authority to challenge God?

  Next, God will complete Job’s trial with a second creature Job cannot tame, the Leviathan.