Job 41 21

Job 41:21 kjv

His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.

Job 41:21 nkjv

His breath kindles coals, And a flame goes out of his mouth.

Job 41:21 niv

Its breath sets coals ablaze, and flames dart from its mouth.

Job 41:21 esv

His breath kindles coals, and a flame comes forth from his mouth.

Job 41:21 nlt

Its breath would kindle coals,
for flames shoot from its mouth.

Job 41 verses

Job 41 21 Meaning

Job 41:21 describes the fearsome power of Leviathan, detailing that its very breath generates extreme heat, causing coals to ignite, and a literal flame or blaze is emitted from its mouth. This imagery depicts a creature of unchallengeable might, whose natural processes are intensely destructive, demonstrating an unassailable strength far beyond human capability.

Job 41 21 Context

Job 41:21 is found within God's second speech to Job (chapters 40-41), where the Almighty directly addresses Job's self-justification and questioning of divine wisdom. After presenting the mighty Behemoth (Job 40), God focuses entirely on Leviathan in Job 41, depicting it as a creature of unimaginable power and terror. The descriptions are vivid and hyperbolic, portraying Leviathan as utterly indomitable by any human force. This verse, along with preceding and succeeding ones, emphasizes the creature's formidable, almost supernatural, defenses and offensive capabilities, culminating in its fire-breathing. The purpose of this lengthy description is not zoological, but theological: to humble Job by contrasting the vast disparity between human power and the immense power God effortlessly wields over creation. If humanity cannot conquer Leviathan, how can Job contend with or understand the God who created it and holds ultimate dominion over all things? Historically, the depiction of Leviathan would also serve as a polemic against pagan beliefs in autonomous, chaotic forces or competing deities, unequivocally establishing Yahweh's sole and ultimate sovereignty even over the most terrifying symbols of chaos.

Job 41 21 Word analysis

• His breath (נִשְׁמָתוֹ - nishmato): From neshamah, meaning "breath," "spirit." It denotes the vital air exhaled by Leviathan. The emphasis here is on the power and nature of Leviathan's basic life process; its exhalation itself is incredibly potent, more than just air. In biblical thought, neshamah is often associated with the very essence of life given by God (e.g., Gen 2:7, God breathing into man's nostrils the breath of life). Here, Leviathan's "breath" reflects a perverted, destructive life force.
• kindles (תְּבַעֵר - t'va'er): A verb from the root בער (ba'ar), meaning "to burn," "to consume," "to ignite." It's an active, causative verb, implying that the breath directly causes something to ignite, rather than merely containing heat. This is a direct, destructive action.
• coals (גֶּחָלִים - g'chalim): "Burning coals," "embers," or "live coals." These are remnants of intense burning, suggesting sustained and glowing heat. The image is one of intense, smoldering heat originating from the breath itself. The sight of these suggests incredible internal temperatures.
• and a flame (וְלֶהָבָה - v'lehavah): From lehavah, meaning "flame," "blaze," "licking fire." This signifies visible, active fire, distinct from just smoldering coals or smoke. It highlights the open, destructive emission.
• goes out (תֵּצֵא - tetzei): From the root יָצָא (yatsa), meaning "to go out," "come forth," "emerge." This denotes a direct, unhindered emission, an outward projection of the fire.
• from his mouth (מִפִּיו - mippīv): Emphasizes the origin and expulsion of the flame. It's not a general emanation of heat, but a focused, powerful blast directly from the mouth, like a dragon's fire.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "His breath kindles coals": This phrase implies an intense internal combustion or thermal property. The very act of exhaling brings forth and ignites combustible materials (imaginary, given the context). It suggests that the breath is so hot it acts like a forge's bellows, fanning hidden embers into a visible, potent heat source. This isn't just about heat; it's about ignition caused by mere breath.
• "and a flame goes out from his mouth": This complements the previous phrase by confirming the outcome: visible, active fire. It makes the imagery undeniable. It depicts Leviathan as an actual fire-breathing creature, moving beyond internal heat to externalized, active destructive power. The direct emission from the mouth underscores its aggressive, offensive capability. The combination portrays Leviathan not just as large or armored, but as embodying destructive, uncontrolled fire.

Job 41 21 Bonus section

The depiction of Leviathan, especially its fiery attributes, holds significant theological and symbolic weight beyond a literal zoological identification. Scholars often view Leviathan as a symbol of ultimate, unmasterable power and chaos in the natural world—a chaotic "dragon" that only God can subdue. This biblical portrayal cleverly engages with and subverts ancient Near Eastern myths (e.g., Canaanite myths of Lotan or Babylonian Tiamat), where such sea monsters often represented primeval, divine chaos that rivaled other gods. In Job, Leviathan is unequivocally God's creation and completely subservient to His will, demonstrating Yahweh's supreme dominion over all, including what appears to be the embodiment of wild, untamed might. This establishes God's unique position as the sole sovereign power, stripping away any potential deification of nature's forces. The fiery breath further links Leviathan's terrifying aspect to God's own manifestations, where fire often signifies His overwhelming presence, purification, and judgment, highlighting the vastness of the divine might that Job sought to challenge.

Job 41 21 Commentary

Job 41:21 is a poetic climax in God's description of Leviathan, solidifying its depiction as the pinnacle of created power on earth. Far from being a mere fish or crocodile, this creature embodies qualities that exceed natural explanation, often likened to mythological dragons for its fire-breathing ability. This "fire" from Leviathan's mouth represents more than just biological function; it symbolizes ultimate destructive potential and untamed ferocity. By presenting such a fearsome and unmasterable being, God confronts Job with a rhetorical question: If a mere creature, Leviathan, is so utterly beyond human control and comprehension, how much more is the Creator, who spoke Leviathan into existence, beyond Job's ability to question, contend with, or even fully grasp? The passage underscores God's omnipotence and absolute sovereignty, illustrating that His control extends even over forces that appear chaotic or irresistible to humanity. It's a vivid lesson in humility, leading Job to understand that human wisdom is profoundly limited before the divine majesty and unsearchable power revealed in creation.