Job 41 33

Job 41:33 kjv

Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.

Job 41:33 nkjv

On earth there is nothing like him, Which is made without fear.

Job 41:33 niv

Nothing on earth is its equal? a creature without fear.

Job 41:33 esv

On earth there is not his like, a creature without fear.

Job 41:33 nlt

Nothing on earth is its equal,
no other creature so fearless.

Job 41 verses

Job 41 33 Meaning

Job 41:33 concludes God's detailed description of Leviathan, affirming that this creature is unparalleled in its strength and intrinsic fearlessness among all earthly beings. It emphasizes Leviathan's absolute dominance within its realm and highlights its untamable nature by any human power. This declaration serves to underscore God's ultimate and unchallengeable sovereignty as the Creator, far exceeding human capacity and wisdom.

Job 41 33 Context

Job 41:33 stands as a pivotal summary in God's response to Job from the whirlwind. Following Job's protracted suffering and his subsequent questioning of God's justice, God initiates a discourse from Job chapter 38 onwards, challenging Job's limited understanding and asserting divine sovereignty over creation. Chapter 41 specifically focuses on Leviathan, describing its formidable power, impenetrable armor, terrifying presence, and intrinsic fearlessness in vivid, almost poetic detail. God presents Leviathan not just as a creature, but as a masterpiece of His creation that humanity cannot possibly tame, master, or even comprehend. The verse concludes this description, solidifying the message: if humanity is utterly helpless before one of God's mightiest creations, how much more insignificant is Job (or any human) before the Creator Himself? The immediate historical context would be the ancient Near East, where chaos monsters were common motifs, often depicting a struggle among deities. However, the book of Job re-frames Leviathan not as a rival god, but as an undeniable creation of Yahweh, thereby implicitly polemicizing against any polytheistic notion of competing divine powers. God effortlessly created and manages such a formidable being, emphasizing His unmatched authority and singular divine power over all existence.

Job 41 33 Word analysis

• מֵעַל עָפָר (me'al 'afar) - "Upon earth," literally "from above dust."

  • מֵעַל (me'al): Preposition meaning "above," "over," "on," "from upon." It indicates placement or superiority in a literal or figurative sense. Here, it refers to its presence "on the earth."
  • עָפָר ('afar): "Dust," "earth," "ground." It often signifies the material from which humans are made (Gen 2:7, Gen 3:19) or the general terrestrial realm. In this context, "upon earth" implies the entire terrestrial domain. The phrase establishes the sphere where Leviathan's unique power is recognized—there is no parallel within the created, earthly realm.

• לֹא יֵש בַּשֵׁל הוּא (lo' yesh bashshelo hu') - "There is not its equal," or "not his likeness."

  • לֹא (lo'): Strong negation, "not," "no."
  • יֵש (yesh): "There is," "there exists." Combined with lo, it forms a definitive statement of non-existence regarding a comparison.
  • בַּשֵׁל (bashshelo): This is challenging. Some derive it from shāl (שׁל), related to "strength" or "peace," implying "who is made without a match" (referring to how he is "finished" or "perfected"). Another view links it to māšal (מָשַׁל) "to rule, have dominion," or "to be like," implying "his likeness" or "his equal." Given the context of unparalleled power, "its equal" or "his like" fits best, asserting that no other earthly creature compares to Leviathan.
  • הוּא (hu'): Pronoun, "he" or "it." Refers back to Leviathan. This phrasing strongly emphasizes that Leviathan is uniquely unmatched among earthly beings.

• אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יֵחָת (asher lo'-yeḥat) - "Who is made without fear," or "that he is not terrified/dismayed."

  • אֲשֶׁר (asher): Relative pronoun, "that," "who," "which." Connects the descriptive clause to Leviathan.
  • לֹא (lo'): Again, strong negation, "not."
  • יֵחָת (yeḥat): Niphal imperfect ofḥātat(חָתַת), meaning "to be broken," "to be shattered," "to be terrified," "to be dismayed." This form signifies a state of being "undismayed" or "unfrightened." It implies an inherent nature of bold indifference to threat, not just courage, but an innate constitution that is immune to terror. This speaks directly to Leviathan's formidable presence and power—it is not susceptible to being scared away or intimidated. It is inherentlyfearless`, designed that way by its Creator.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Nothing on earth is its equal" (מֵעַל עָפָר, לֹא יֵש בַּשֵׁל הוּא): This phrase unequivocally states Leviathan's unmatched power and uniqueness within the created world. It elevates Leviathan to a singular status among all creatures that inhabit the earth, preparing the listener to grasp God's incomparability even more. It directly refutes any human claim to dominion over such a creature or any equivalent power existing outside of God.
  • "a creature without fear" (אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יֵחָת): This descriptive clause defines a key attribute of Leviathan—its inherent invulnerability to terror or intimidation. It's not merely brave; it cannot be dismayed. This speaks to its natural state, crafted by God to be utterly indomitable by any external force, especially human. This quality highlights the sheer power of its Maker and contrasts sharply with the human tendency to fear and be humbled. It implicitly challenges Job to recognize whom he should fear—not suffering, not chaotic forces, but the God who instills fear in His mightiest creatures and alone remains fearless.

Job 41 33 Bonus section

The theological thrust of Job 41:33, through the depiction of Leviathan, transcends the immediate context of a specific animal. It speaks to God's untrammeled power over all forces, including what ancient cultures might have perceived as chaos or rival deities. By portraying Leviathan as unequivocally created by God and completely subject to His design and will (even for sport, Psa 104:26), the text de-mythologizes the ANE chaos monster motif and reasserts Yahweh's sole, unchallenged omnipotence. The fact that nothing "on earth" is its equal doesn't just refer to its physical prowess; it signifies its unparalleled nature within the realm accessible to human understanding and interaction, reinforcing that humanity is simply outmatched by God's creation, let alone the Creator. This concept extends to challenging human presumption in all areas of life, from seeking control over uncontrollable events to questioning divine providence. It implores the observer to cultivate a true fear of the Lord, recognizing that such awe is the only appropriate response to His matchless majesty.

Job 41 33 Commentary

Job 41:33 serves as the capstone of God's powerful address on Leviathan, solidifying the theological message intended for Job. It presents Leviathan not merely as an incredibly strong creature, but as a divine masterpiece, specifically designed "without fear" and without an "equal on earth." This emphasis on its unique and untamable nature drives home God's profound sovereignty. If this formidable beast is God's creation, beyond human control and even understanding, then how immeasurable is the Creator's own power, wisdom, and authority?

The verse directly dismantles any human pride or attempt to sit in judgment over God. Job, who sought to understand God's ways and even justify himself before Him, is confronted with the incomprehensible reality of God's creative power. The "fearless" nature of Leviathan becomes a metaphor for God Himself, who is utterly unchallenged and sovereign, accountable to no one, and incapable of being intimidated. The true wisdom and reverence for humanity, then, is to humble oneself before such a magnificent God. This reorients Job's perspective, leading him away from questioning divine justice to embracing awe for the unsearchable ways of the Almighty. It underlines that ultimate fear belongs to God alone, as He alone controls even the most fearsome aspects of His creation.