Job 41 10

Job 41:10 kjv

None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?

Job 41:10 nkjv

No one is so fierce that he would dare stir him up. Who then is able to stand against Me?

Job 41:10 niv

No one is fierce enough to rouse it. Who then is able to stand against me?

Job 41:10 esv

No one is so fierce that he dares to stir him up. Who then is he who can stand before me?

Job 41:10 nlt

And since no one dares to disturb it,
who then can stand up to me?

Job 41 verses

Job 41 10 Meaning

This verse caps God's intense interrogation of Job by presenting Leviathan as a creature of unparalleled might and terror. It asserts that no being, however fierce, possesses the courage or strength to provoke this magnificent beast without suffering dire consequences. Building upon this, God uses an "a fortiori" (from the stronger argument) rhetorical question: if such is the terrifying power of Leviathan, God's creature, then how much less can any person presume to stand before God Himself, to challenge His wisdom, power, or justice? The verse serves to highlight God's immeasurable power and absolute sovereignty, re-establishing the infinite gap between the Creator and creation.

Job 41 10 Context

Job 41 is the culmination of God's profound address to Job from the whirlwind, spanning chapters 38-41. Following detailed descriptions of cosmic wonders and creatures like Behemoth (Ch. 40), God dedicates an entire chapter to Leviathan. This is not a simple zoological lesson; rather, it is a grand theological declaration. Job had, through his suffering, felt justified in questioning God's governance and justice. God responds by revealing His immense, unsearchable power manifested in His creation. If Job cannot even comprehend or contend with a single one of God's creatures—a creature so formidable that no one dares provoke it—then how utterly incapable and presumptuous is it for him to stand against or question the very Creator of Leviathan, the one who orders the entire universe? Verse 10 acts as the climactic summation, drawing a direct logical leap from the untamable beast to the unquestionable Creator, shattering Job's human-centric view and reasserting divine supremacy.

Job 41 10 Word analysis

• No one: (Hebrew: לֹא אֶחָד; lo’ echad) An emphatic absolute negation, asserting that literally "not one" person, no creature, no power whatsoever possesses the attribute being discussed. This universal denial underlines the creature's insurmountable might.
• is so fierce: (Hebrew: אַכְזָרִי; ’akhzari) Meaning cruel, ruthless, fierce, terrible. It describes the inherently savage and formidable nature of any hypothetical challenger to Leviathan. This adjective paints a vivid picture of the sheer strength and aggressive potential that would be needed, and simultaneously states that no one possesses this to the necessary degree.
• that he would dare: (Hebrew: וְיָקוּץ; wə·yaquts) This verb typically means "to loathe," "dread," or "be grieved." In this context, it takes on the meaning of daring or having the audacity to act in the face of such revulsion or dread. The sense is that anyone who considers challenging Leviathan would immediately be overcome by an innate revulsion or terror that prevents the act itself.
• stir him up: (Hebrew: הֶעִירוּהוּ; he’iruhu) Literally "to awaken him," implying to provoke, rouse, or agitate from its peaceful state into aggression. It refers to initiating conflict with Leviathan. The mere thought of provoking such a creature is presented as beyond human capability and sanity.
• Who then: (Hebrew: וּמִי הוּא; u·mi hu’) A classic rhetorical question designed to solicit a definitive negative answer. The shift in focus to God immediately signals an "a fortiori" argument, dramatically heightening the point.
• is able: (Hebrew: יִתְיַצֵּב; yiṯyaṣṣev) Meaning to stand, take one's stand, present oneself, make oneself firm, or endure. It signifies capability not just in terms of strength, but also courage and sustained opposition. The inability is absolute, encompassing every dimension.
• to stand before Me?: (Hebrew: לְפָנָי; ləfanay) Meaning "before My face" or "in My presence." This phrase is intensely personal. It means to confront God directly, to challenge Him, or even merely to survive His direct manifestation. This implies an utter inability of humanity to contend with or even endure the presence of the Almighty, especially in a posture of defiance or questioning.

Word-group analysis:

• "No one is so fierce that he would dare to rouse him.": This segment powerfully establishes the unmatched, inherent formidable nature of Leviathan within creation. It indicates that no creature, no human effort, and no earthly power possesses the inherent ferocity or audacious spirit to provoke Leviathan without guaranteeing utter destruction. This statement creates a premise of absolute earthly invincibility for God's creation, setting the stage for the next logical step.
• "Who then is able to stand before Me?": This concluding rhetorical question directly and pivotally applies the formidable reality of Leviathan to God's own majesty. If a mere creature of God is beyond the capacity of anyone to challenge or endure, then the unapproachable and infinitely greater power of God Himself is self-evident. It compels Job, and the reader, to acknowledge that any challenge to the Creator, even in questioning His ways, is not merely futile but entirely nonsensical, stemming from a profoundly limited and ultimately arrogant human perspective. The implied answer—"no one"—humblingly redirects all focus back to God's unquestionable supremacy.

Job 41 10 Bonus section

The descriptions of Leviathan throughout Job 41, culminating in verse 10, carry significant polemical undertones against contemporary ancient Near Eastern pagan mythologies. In these myths, various deities or human heroes often conquered cosmic sea monsters or dragons (like Ugaritic Lotan or Babylonian Tiamat), signifying the establishment of order out of chaos and legitimizing the gods' rule. However, God's depiction of Leviathan explicitly as an untamable, unassailable creature, one that no human or power dares to stir up, subtly undermines these pagan claims. God asserts that the real Leviathan (or the true "chaos monster") is beyond any created being's capacity to control, challenging any notion that a human or even another deity could achieve such a feat. Instead, this powerful creature is explicitly God's creation, solely under His dominion and existing for His own purposes ("formed to sport in it," Ps 104:26). Thus, Job 41:10 not only demonstrates God's sovereignty over nature but also unequivocally declares His supremacy over all competing deities and mythologies of His time. God alone truly conquers and commands what is ultimate chaos to others.

Job 41 10 Commentary

Job 41:10 acts as the rhetorical climax of God's majestic display of power in the whirlwind. By focusing on Leviathan, a creature untamable by man and inspiring universal dread, God demonstrates the absolute limits of human power and understanding. The verse moves from the undeniable physical reality of Leviathan's terror ("No one is so fierce that he would dare to rouse him") to a profound theological truth about God ("Who then is able to stand before Me?"). This a fortiori argument is pivotal: if God's creation is so fearsome, how much more fearful and unquestionable is the Creator.

The ultimate aim is not to simply humble Job, but to refine his understanding of God's immeasurable power and sovereignty. Job had desired to plead his case before God; this verse reveals the utter impossibility of such an act from a human standing point. It brings home the realization that God operates on a scale far beyond human comprehension or challenge, making any human claim to understanding or judging His ways arrogant and misplaced. This understanding cultivates genuine humility, reverence, and renewed faith, leading to Job's repentance and restored relationship with God. The verse serves as a perpetual reminder of divine majesty that silences all human presumption.

• When overwhelmed by seemingly insurmountable problems, remember that God's power, as hinted even in a creature like Leviathan, far surpasses any earthly obstacle.
• It is a call to humility: If no one can contend with a creature God made, we certainly cannot argue with or judge God's infinite wisdom and justice.
• It fosters profound reverence for God, recognizing His unchallenged authority and boundless might.