Job 40 19

Job 40:19 kjv

He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.

Job 40:19 nkjv

He is the first of the ways of God; Only He who made him can bring near His sword.

Job 40:19 niv

It ranks first among the works of God, yet its Maker can approach it with his sword.

Job 40:19 esv

"He is the first of the works of God; let him who made him bring near his sword!

Job 40:19 nlt

It is a prime example of God's handiwork,
and only its Creator can threaten it.

Job 40 verses

Job 40 19 Meaning

This verse describes Behemoth, a powerful creature introduced by God to Job, as a supreme example of God's creative might. "He is the chief of the ways of God" means that Behemoth stands as the foremost or finest masterpiece among God's terrestrial creations, powerfully demonstrating the scope and intricacy of His divine work. The second part, "only His Maker can bring His sword near," emphasizes God's exclusive sovereignty over Behemoth; no human or any other being can challenge, defeat, or even approach this creature with a weapon. It implies that only God, as its Creator, possesses ultimate authority, power, and the capacity for judgment over it.

Job 40 19 Context

Job 40:19 is part of God’s second major discourse to Job from the whirlwind, found in Job chapters 38-41. God addresses Job's accusations and questions regarding divine justice not by directly explaining Job’s suffering, but by humbling him with a vivid display of His immense creative power and sovereign control over creation. God first questions Job's knowledge of the natural world (Job 38-39), demonstrating how human understanding is infinitesimally small compared to God’s. Following Job's brief, humbled response (Job 40:3-5), God resumes His challenge, asking Job to emulate His power if he wishes to argue against Him. It is in this context that God introduces Behemoth (Job 40:15-24) and then Leviathan (Job 41:1-34) as premier examples of His unchallenged power and design. The description of Behemoth highlights its immense size, strength, and an almost invincible nature to human beings, serving as a powerful, tangible illustration of God's unassailable majesty. Historically, this account functions as a powerful polemic against any notion that powerful, seemingly untameable forces or creatures exist independently or rival God’s dominion, asserting that even the most formidable beasts are but mere creations wholly subject to their Maker.

Job 40 19 Word analysis

• He: Refers to Behemoth (Hebrew: بְהֵמוֹת, bəhēmōṯ), a Hebrew word often translated as "beasts" in a plural or collective sense. Here, the use of the singular verb with the plural noun implies a unique, singular creature of exceptional size or as a superlative, meaning "the greatest beast."

• is the chief: Hebrew: רֵאשִׁית (rêʼšîṯ). This term commonly means "beginning," "first," or "head," but in this context signifies preeminence, excellence, or a masterwork. Behemoth is not necessarily the chronologically first creation, but rather the foremost in demonstrating God’s power and creative design among terrestrial creatures.

• of the ways: Hebrew: דַּרְכֵי (darkê), the plural of דֶּרֶךְ (dereḵ), meaning "way," "path," "course," or "manner." Here, "ways of God" refers to the manifestations, methods, or acts of God’s creative power and wisdom.

• of God: Hebrew: אֵל (’ēl), a generic term for deity, often used here in reference to YHWH, the God of Israel. It emphasizes the ultimate divine source of this magnificent creature.

• only: Hebrew: אַךְ (ʼaḵ), an emphatic particle that highlights exclusivity and a strong limitation, conveying "surely," "only," or "indeed."

• His Maker: Hebrew: עֹשֵׂהוּ (ʻōśēhû), literally "His maker" or "His doer." This phrase unequivocally points to God as Behemoth’s Creator and thus the sole one with absolute authority and power over it. It grounds the creature's existence and submission directly in divine creation.

• can bring near: Hebrew: יַגִּישׁ (yaggîš), the Hiphil (causative) form of נָגַשׁ (nāgaš), meaning "to draw near," "to approach," or "to present." In this causative sense, it implies causing something to approach or wielding against it.

• His sword: Hebrew: חַרְבּוֹ (ḥarbō), "His sword." This is a profound metaphor. It likely refers to God's own "sword" as an instrument of divine judgment, irresistible power, or decisive action, implying that only God possesses the power to overcome or judge Behemoth. Less likely, it refers to Behemoth's own natural weapon (like a tusk or formidable strength), meaning only God can bring forth or stand against Behemoth's inherent destructive capacity. The primary understanding, especially in light of Isaiah 27:1 and other passages, points to God's absolute judgment.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "He is the chief of the ways of God": This powerful statement elevates Behemoth to a paradigm of divine creation. It signals that among God's terrestrial works, Behemoth stands as a prime example of His boundless wisdom, formidable strength, and creative artistry. It is meant to evoke awe at the Creator, not the creature.
  • "only His Maker can bring His sword near": This clause immediately sets a crucial theological boundary. Despite Behemoth's unparalleled might, it is completely subject to God. The "sword" here functions as a symbol of divine authority, ultimate judgment, or decisive power. The phrase underscores that no human, no earthly power, can truly control, defeat, or pass judgment on this creation; only its Sovereign Creator can. This directly confronts Job’s tendency to question God’s ultimate authority.

Job 40 19 Bonus section

• The exaggerated and poetic description of Behemoth in Job 40, along with Leviathan in Job 41, suggests that these creatures transcend mere biological classification. They may be understood as representing the pinnacle of raw natural power within creation, or even mythological chaos monsters, demonstrating that even such immense and potentially fearsome entities are entirely under God’s absolute control, never independent rivals.
• The placement of Job 40:19 in God's argument is strategic. Having established His cosmic authority, God then descends to the earthly realm to challenge Job's presumption by pointing to creations within Job's own domain (earth), creatures which Job can neither comprehend nor subdue. This creates an immediate, relatable demonstration of God’s power and wisdom that Job cannot ignore or dismiss.
• The concept of God's "sword" often appears throughout the Old Testament as an instrument of divine judgment, purification, or punishment against the wicked (e.g., Deut 32:41; Isa 27:1). Applying it here to Behemoth reinforces the creature's utter subservience to its Creator's will, even in matters of its own life and death.

Job 40 19 Commentary

Job 40:19 forms a critical point in God's discourse to Job, fundamentally shifting Job's perspective by showcasing divine power rather than explaining human suffering. Behemoth, described as the "chief of the ways of God," is presented as a pinnacle of God's terrestrial creativity, embodying His wisdom, strength, and unique design. This serves to humble Job by presenting a creature that defies human understanding and control, illustrating the vast chasm between finite human ability and infinite divine power. The concluding phrase, "only His Maker can bring His sword near," powerfully asserts God's exclusive and ultimate sovereignty. It means that while Behemoth is beyond human conquest or understanding, it remains entirely under the Creator's dominion. The "sword" here is symbolic of God's sovereign authority, decisive judgment, and the absolute power He holds over all creation. The verse ultimately demands awe, reverence, and humble submission from Job, and by extension from all humanity, to the God whose works are unfathomable and whose authority is unchallengeable.