Job 41 1

Job 41:1 kjv

Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?

Job 41:1 nkjv

"Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook, Or snare his tongue with a line which you lower?

Job 41:1 niv

"Can you pull in Leviathan with a fishhook or tie down its tongue with a rope?

Job 41:1 esv

"Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook or press down his tongue with a cord?

Job 41:1 nlt

"Can you catch Leviathan with a hook
or put a noose around its jaw?

Job 41 verses

Job 41 1 Meaning

Job 41:1 presents a direct and challenging rhetorical question from God to Job: "Can you pull in Leviathan with a fishhook or tie down its tongue with a rope?" This verse powerfully emphasizes the vast disparity between Job's finite human strength and God's infinite, unchallengeable dominion over even the most fearsome and untamable of His creations. It sets the stage for a detailed description of Leviathan's immense power, illustrating that if humanity cannot control such a creature, then questioning or comprehending the Almighty Creator's ways is futile. The verse aims to humble Job and instill awe at divine sovereignty.

Job 41 1 Context

Job 41:1 is situated within the profound and humbling discourse of God to Job, which begins in chapter 38 and continues through chapter 41. Prior to this verse, God has barraged Job with a series of rhetorical questions challenging his wisdom and power in managing the cosmos and its various creatures, culminating in a detailed description of Behemoth in Job 40.

The introduction of Leviathan in chapter 41 serves as the climax of God's demonstration of His unmatchable sovereignty. After Behemoth, representing terrestrial power, Leviathan signifies the ultimate aquatic, perhaps chaotic, force beyond human mastery. The immediate context of the verse is God putting Job firmly in his place, not by rebuking his arguments directly, but by overwhelming him with the undeniable evidence of God's immense wisdom, power, and sole authority over creation, including creatures Job could never hope to control.

Historically and culturally, the concept of a powerful sea monster like Leviathan (Hebrew: Liv•ya•tan) resonates with ancient Near Eastern myths where deities battled monstrous creatures embodying chaos (e.g., Lotan in Ugaritic literature). However, the biblical portrayal radically diverges: here, Yahweh faces no cosmic challenge; He is the uncontested Creator who either brought forth such creatures or effortlessly subdues them. By depicting Leviathan as inherently uncontrollable by humanity yet entirely under His divine command, God challenges any residual human presumption and elevates Himself far above all known powers, spiritual or natural.

Job 41 1 Word analysis

• Word by word analysis:

  • "Can you pull in" (Hebrew: הֲתִמְשֹׁךְ - ha-tim•shokh): The interrogative particle הֲ (ha) transforms the verb into a question, immediately signaling a challenge. תִמְשֹׁךְ (tim•shokh) derives from the root מָשַׁךְ (mashakh), meaning "to draw out, to drag, to prolong." It suggests attempting to bring something out or under control. The verb in this form implies a sustained effort, highlighting the absurdity of trying to "pull in" such a mighty creature as one might an ordinary fish.
  • "Leviathan" (Hebrew: לִוְיָתָן - Liv•ya•tan): A specific, singular noun referring to a creature of immense, mythical-like proportions and power. The name itself is thought to derive from a root meaning "to twist, to coil," evoking an image of a formidable, serpent-like sea creature. In biblical theology, Leviathan represents forces beyond human control, often associated with the chaotic sea, or even cosmic evil (as seen in later biblical and Jewish thought). Its appearance here signifies the ultimate challenge to human ability.
  • "with a fishhook" (Hebrew: בְּחַכָּה - be-chak•kah): The prefix בְּ (be-) means "with" or "by means of." חַכָּה (chak•kah) is a small, trivial tool used to catch relatively insignificant fish. Its pairing with Leviathan creates a dramatic juxtaposition, emphasizing the ludicrousness of the implied effort. It highlights the creature's immense power relative to any human means of capture.
  • "or tie down" (Hebrew: וּבְחֶבֶל תַּשְׁקִיעַ - u-ve-khev•el tash•qi•a’): The conjunction וּ (u-) means "and/or." תַּשְׁקִיעַ (tash•qi•a’) comes from the root שָׁקַע (*shaqa’), often meaning "to sink" or "submerge," but in this context, implies securing or "tying down" firmly, as something sunken or embedded is secured. It suggests gaining mastery over by restraint.
  • "its tongue" (Hebrew: לְשֹׁונוֹ - le-shon•o): לָשׁוֹן (lashon) means "tongue," with the possessive suffix וֹ (-o) meaning "his/its." The tongue is a vital, strong organ for powerful animals, central to roaring, biting, or influencing. Tying down the tongue implies complete incapacitation and silencing of the creature's ability to vocalize or act powerfully. This metaphor highlights thorough subjection.
  • "with a rope" (Hebrew: בְּחֶבֶל - be-khev•el): Like "fishhook," חֶבֶל (chevel) denotes a common, flimsy tool—a mere cord or rope— utterly inadequate for restraining Leviathan. It reinforces the absurdity and the overwhelming gap between human means and the creature's might.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Can you pull in Leviathan with a fishhook?": This initial question immediately establishes the theme of humanity's absolute lack of dominion over one of God's mightiest creations. The fishhook (a small tool for a small task) contrasted with Leviathan (a colossal, untamable force) serves as a potent image of human futility when attempting to assert control where only God can.
  • "or tie down its tongue with a rope?": This expands the challenge from capture to complete subjugation. Restraining the tongue of such a creature implies silencing its power, roar, or any form of defiance. The rope (another ordinary, insufficient tool) against Leviathan's tongue further accentuates that even the smallest, most vital part of this creature is beyond human control, making any attempt to manage its whole being utterly impossible. Both rhetorical questions powerfully illustrate God's unchallengeable supremacy over all created things, wild or subdued, seen or unseen.

Job 41 1 Bonus section

• Cosmic Scale of the Challenge: While Leviathan could refer to a real, powerful creature (like a massive crocodile or whale), its symbolic significance in Job transcends biological classification. It embodies the forces of nature, or even evil, that are untamable by humans, placing the challenge on a cosmic or metaphysical scale rather than merely zoological.
• Polemic against Human Rationalism: The entire discourse of God from Job 38 to 41, beginning with this rhetorical question, serves as a divine critique against human rationalism and anthropocentric wisdom that seeks to comprehend and judge God's ways through limited human understanding. It demonstrates that God's power and wisdom far exceed human capacity for either control or comprehension.
• Preparing for Revelation: God's discourse is not solely about humility; it is also about preparing Job for a deeper revelation of Himself. By crushing Job's self-confidence and assumptions, God clears the way for Job to truly see and acknowledge God's glory and omnipotence, which in turn leads to a transformative encounter and Job's repentance (Job 42:5-6).

Job 41 1 Commentary

Job 41:1 is not merely an interrogation about a beast; it is a foundational statement on divine sovereignty versus human weakness. By posing the utterly unachievable task of "pulling in Leviathan with a fishhook or tying down its tongue with a rope," God underscores the qualitative difference between Himself, the omnipotent Creator, and Job, a finite human being. Leviathan, described as beyond human capture or control, becomes a cosmic symbol representing forces of chaos or power that defy all earthly mastery.

The use of mundane tools—a fishhook and a rope—highlights the colossal disproportion between human means and the grandeur of God's creation. If Job cannot even exercise authority over this singular, fearsome creature, how can he possibly question the intricate governance of the universe by its Creator? This verse forces Job to abandon any vestige of pride or self-righteousness. It is an invitation, rather, to humble awe, submission, and trust in the One whose ways are unfathomable yet perfectly ordered. Ultimately, this passage, like the entire Behemoth and Leviathan discourse, strips away Job's misconceptions about his own competence and prepares him to fully acknowledge God's majestic wisdom and power, leading to repentance and restored faith.