Job 40:20
Job 40:20 in Multiple Translations
The hills yield him their produce, while all the beasts of the field play nearby.
Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
Surely the mountains bring him forth food, Where all the beasts of the field do play.
He takes the produce of the mountains, where all the beasts of the field are at play.
The hills produce food for it, and all the wild animals play there.
Canst thou drawe out Liuiathan with an hooke, and with a line which thou shalt cast downe vnto his tongue?
For food do mountains bear for him, And all the beasts of the field play there.
Surely the mountains produce food for him, where all the animals of the field play.
Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
Canst thou draw out the leviathan with a hook, or canst thou tie his tongue with a cord?
On the hills grows food [PRS] for them to eat while many [HYP] other wild animals play nearby.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 40:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 40:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּֽי
ב֭וּל
הָרִ֣ים
יִשְׂאוּ
ל֑/וֹ
וְֽ/כָל
חַיַּ֥ת
הַ֝/שָּׂדֶ֗ה
יְשַֽׂחֲקוּ
שָֽׁם
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
ב֭וּל
bûwl
H944
produce
N-ms
הָרִ֣ים
har
H2022
mountain
N-mp
יִשְׂאוּ
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
ל֑/וֹ
Prep | Suff
וְֽ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
חַיַּ֥ת
chay
H2416
alive
N-fs
הַ֝/שָּׂדֶ֗ה
sâdeh
H7704
field
Art | N-ms
יְשַֽׂחֲקוּ
sâchaq
H7832
to laugh
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp
שָֽׁם
shâm
H8033
there
Adv
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 40:20
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
ב֭וּל
bûwl
H944
"produce"
N-ms
To produce or grow something, like food from the earth. This word is about the outcome of natural processes. It is used to describe the stock or produce of the land.
Definition: produce, outgrowth
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: food, stock. See also: Job 40:20; Isaiah 44:19.
הָרִ֣ים
har
H2022
"mountain"
N-mp
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
יִשְׂאוּ
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
ל֑/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
וְֽ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
חַיַּ֥ת
chay
H2416
"alive"
N-fs
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
הַ֝/שָּׂדֶ֗ה
sâdeh
H7704
"field"
Art | N-ms
A field or land is what this word represents, often referring to a flat area of land used for cultivation or as a habitat for wild animals, as described in the book of Genesis. It can also mean a plain or a country, as opposed to a mountain or sea. This term is used in the story of Ruth and Boaz.
Definition: 1) field, land 1a) cultivated field 1b) of home of wild beasts 1c) plain (opposed to mountain) 1d) land (opposed to sea)
Usage: Occurs in 309 OT verses. KJV: country, field, ground, land, soil, [idiom] wild. See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:38; Nehemiah 12:29.
יְשַֽׂחֲקוּ
sâchaq
H7832
"to laugh"
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to laugh, often in contempt or derision, as seen in Genesis 21:9 when Ishmael mocks Isaac. It can also mean to play or make sport, like in Psalm 104:26 where God plays with the whale. In the Bible, it appears over 50 times, including in the book of Job.
Definition: 1) to laugh, play, mock 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to laugh (usually in contempt or derision) 1a2) to sport, play 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make sport 1b2) to jest 1b3) to play (including instrumental music, singing, dancing) 1c) (Hiphil) to laugh mockingly
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: deride, have in derision, laugh, make merry, mock(-er), play, rejoice, (laugh to) scorn, be in (make) sport. See also: Judges 16:25; Psalms 2:4; Psalms 37:13.
שָֽׁם
shâm
H8033
"there"
Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
Study Notes — Job 40:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 40:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 40:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 40:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 40:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 40:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 40:20
- Cambridge Bible on Job 40:20
- Barnes' Notes on Job 40:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 40:20
- Sermons on Job 40:20
Context — The LORD Challenges Job Again
18His bones are tubes of bronze; his limbs are rods of iron.
19He is the foremost of God’s works; only his Maker can draw the sword against him.
20The hills yield him their produce, while all the beasts of the field play nearby.
21He lies under the lotus plants, hidden among the reeds of the marsh. 22The lotus plants conceal him in their shade; the willows of the brook surround him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 104:26 | There the ships pass, and Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there. |
| 2 | Psalms 104:14 | He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth: |
| 3 | Job 40:15 | Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you. He feeds on grass like an ox. |
| 4 | Psalms 147:8–9 | who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the hills. He provides food for the animals, and for the young ravens when they call. |
Job 40:20 Summary
The verse Job 40:20 describes a powerful creature, the behemoth, and how the natural world provides for its needs. This shows us that God is a powerful and caring Creator who provides for all His creatures, as seen in Matthew 6:26, where Jesus teaches that God feeds the birds of the air. The image of the beasts playing nearby the behemoth also reminds us of the harmony and balance that God intended for His creation, as stated in Genesis 1:31, where God sees that His creation is very good. By considering the behemoth and its place in God's creation, we can gain a deeper appreciation for God's power and care for us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the hills yield their produce to the behemoth in Job 40:20?
This phrase suggests that the behemoth is a creature of immense size and strength, and that even the natural world provides for its needs, as seen in Psalm 104:14 where God causes the grass to grow for the cattle.
Why does the Bible describe the behemoth in such detail in Job 40:20?
The detailed description of the behemoth serves to emphasize God's power and creativity as a Creator, as stated in Jeremiah 10:12, where it is written that God made the earth by His power.
What can we learn about God's character from the behemoth's description in Job 40:20?
The description of the behemoth reveals God's sovereignty and majesty, reminding us that He is the Creator of all things, including the most powerful creatures, as stated in Isaiah 40:28, where it is written that God gives power to the faint.
How does the image of beasts playing nearby the behemoth in Job 40:20 relate to our understanding of God's creation?
This image conveys a sense of harmony and balance in God's creation, where even the most fearsome creatures coexist with others, reflecting the peace and order that God intended for His creation, as seen in Genesis 1:25, where God makes the beasts of the earth according to their kind.
Reflection Questions
- As I consider the behemoth's strength and the natural world's provision for it, how does this reflect God's power and care in my own life?
- What does the image of the hills yielding their produce to the behemoth teach me about God's sovereignty over creation?
- In what ways can I trust God's power and provision in my life, just as the behemoth trusts in the natural world's provision for its needs?
- How does the description of the behemoth in Job 40:20 inspire me to worship and reverence God as the Creator of all things?
Gill's Exposition on Job 40:20
Surely the mountains bring him forth food,.... Grass, which grows on mountains, and is the food of the river horse as well as of the elephant; and therefore is furnished with teeth like a scythe to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 40:20
Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 40:20
Though this creature be vastly great, and require much food, and no man careth for it; yet God provides for it out of his own stores, and makes even desert mountains to afford him sufficient sustenance. The hippopotamus also, though he live most in the water, fetched his food from the land, and from the mountains or hills, which are nigh unto the river Nile. Where all the beasts of the field play; they not only feed securely, but sport themselves by him or with him, being taught by experience that he is gentle and harmless, and never preys upon them.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 40:20
Job 40:20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.Ver. 20. Surely the mountains briny him forth food] And food enough, though he be of a huge body. Learn we to trust unto God’ s providence for our necessary provision: the earth is the Lord’ s, and the fulness thereof. See Job 40:15. Where all the beasts of the field play] And play they may securely for him; for he is so far from using his sword to destroy them, that when he is to pass through the herds of other beasts or cattle, he maketh way, saith Pliny, with his snout, that he may not hurt any of them, and beckoneth to them therewith, as it were with his hand, that he will only pass by them, and do them no harm.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 40:20
Verse 20. The mountains bring him forth food] It cannot therefore be the hippopotamus, as he is seldom found far from the rivers where he has his chief residence. Where all the beasts of the field play.] He frequents those places where he can have most prey. He makes a mock of all the beasts of the field. They can neither resist his power, nor escape from his agility. All this answers to what we know of the mammoth, but not at all to the hippopotamus.
Cambridge Bible on Job 40:20
20. The verse seems to mean that in order to satisfy his hunger the animal depastures whole mountains, tracts where all the beasts of the field play. The hippopotamus is said to wander to the higher grounds, at a distance from the river, when food cannot be found in its vicinity.
Barnes' Notes on Job 40:20
Surely the mountains bring him forth food - That is, though he lies commonly among the reeds and fens, and is in the water a considerable portion of his time, yet he also wanders to the mountains, and finds his food there.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 40:20
20. Surely — Yet; used adversatively. The mountains — Ezekiel (Ezekiel 43:15) calls the altar a δψ, “mountain” of God. The word δψιν may also mean “hills.” In the Praeneste pavement, hippopotami are pictured on eminences.
Sermons on Job 40:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Anti-Booze Efforts by Billy Sunday | Billy Sunday passionately preaches against alcohol, expressing his determination to combat the saloon culture that he believes leads to the destruction of lives and families. He em |
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Our Awesome God - Part 1 by Chuck Smith | This sermon delves into the profound wisdom and knowledge of God as revealed in Romans 11, emphasizing the intricate design and balance in creation that sustains life on Earth. It |
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Rahab - Example of Faith by Billy Strachan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses various aspects of faith and action in the context of biblical stories. He emphasizes the importance of not just hearing and believing the me |
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Man's Misconceptions of the Works of God. by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar emphasizes that God's governance and judgment over nations are evident through natural phenomena, which serve as His voice and means of communication with humanity. |
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Seminar 3 - Dinosaurs and the Bible by Kent Hovind | This seminar addresses the perceived conflict between dinosaur fossils and the biblical account of creation, exploring the field of cryptozoology to shed light on hidden animals li |
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Childrens Video About Dinosaurs by Kent Hovind | This sermon by Dr. Kent Hovind discusses dinosaurs, highlighting the inaccuracies in the teaching of their history, emphasizing that dinosaurs did not live millions of years ago bu |
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God of Our Monsters by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that God uses the imagery of the hippopotamus and crocodile to illustrate the overwhelming problems, or 'monsters', that Job faces in his life. These cre |