Job Chapter 40 — Job's Response and the Behemoth
Job humbles himself before God, admitting he has no answer, while God continues to challenge him by describing the immense power of the Behemoth.
1Moreover the LORD answered Job,
2“Shall he who argues contend with the Almighty?
3Then Job answered the LORD,
4“Behold, I am of small account. What will I answer you?
5I have spoken once, and I will not answer;
6Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind:
7“Now brace yourself like a man.
8Will you even annul my judgment?
9Or do you have an arm like God?
10“Now deck yourself with excellency and dignity.
11Pour out the fury of your anger.
12Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him.
13Hide them in the dust together.
14Then I will also admit to you
15“See now behemoth, which I made as well as you.
16Look now, his strength is in his thighs.
17He moves his tail like a cedar.
18His bones are like tubes of bronze.
19He is the chief of the ways of God.
20Surely the mountains produce food for him,
21He lies under the lotus trees,
22The lotuses cover him with their shade.
23Behold, if a river overflows, he doesn’t tremble.
24Shall any take him when he is on the watch,
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Job 40:4
“Behold, I am of small account. What will I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.”
This verse marks Job's transition from self-defense to silent humility before God's presence.
Job 40:15
“See now behemoth, which I made as well as you. He eats grass as an ox.”
It introduces one of the Bible's most famous and mysterious creatures as a testament to God's creative work.
Job 40:19
“He is the chief of the ways of God. He who made him has furnished him with his sword.”
This highlights the Behemoth's status as a pinnacle of God's earthly creation.
Chapter Summary
In Job 40, the Lord continues His response to Job from the whirlwind. The chapter begins with God asking if Job will continue to contend with the Almighty. Job responds with deep humility, acknowledging his own smallness and stating he will speak no more. However, God continues the dialogue, challenging Job to demonstrate whether he possesses the power, dignity, or justice of the Creator. God dares Job to humble the proud or hide them in the dust, asserting that if Job could do these things, God would acknowledge Job's own power. The chapter then shifts to a detailed description of Behemoth, a massive and powerful creature made by God. The text highlights Behemoth's physical strength, his bronze-like bones, and his fearless nature even in the face of a flooding river. This description serves to emphasize God's role as the Creator of even the most formidable beings in the natural world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Job responds with great humility, stating that he is of "small account" and has nothing to say in his own defense. He resolves to stop speaking and instead listens to God's continued words.
The Behemoth is described as a powerful land creature created by God, known for its immense strength in its thighs and bones like bronze. It is depicted as a fearless herbivore that is considered the "chief" of God's creations.
God challenges Job to see if Job has the power to execute divine justice on the world. By showing that Job cannot control or humble the proud, God demonstrates the vast difference between human ability and divine sovereignty.
Study Note
The description of Behemoth uses vivid poetic imagery to emphasize that even the most powerful creatures are fellow-creatures alongside humanity, both made by the same Creator.
Continue in the App
Get the full experience — immersive audio, instant explanations, highlights, notes, and reading plans.