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Job 41:15

Job 41:15 in Multiple Translations

His rows of scales are his pride, tightly sealed together.

His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.

His strong scales are his pride, Shut up together as with a close seal.

His back is made of lines of plates, joined tight together, one against the other, like a stamp.

Its pride is its rows of scales, closed tightly together.

His heart is as strong as a stone, and as hard as the nether milstone.

A pride — strong ones of shields, Shut up — a close seal.

Strong scales are his pride, shut up together with a close seal.

His scales are his pride, shut together as with a close seal.

His heart shall be as hard as a stone, and as firm as a smith’s anvil.

They have rows of scales on their back which are as hard as a rock (OR, tightly fastened together).

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Berean Amplified Bible — Job 41:15

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 41:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB מַפְּלֵ֣י בְשָׂר֣/וֹ דָבֵ֑קוּ יָצ֥וּק עָ֝לָ֗י/ו בַּל יִמּֽוֹט
מַפְּלֵ֣י mappâl H4651 refuse N-mp
בְשָׂר֣/וֹ bâsâr H1320 flesh N-ms | Suff
דָבֵ֑קוּ dâbaq H1692 to cleave V-Qal-Perf-3cp
יָצ֥וּק yâtsaq H3332 to pour V-Qal-Inf-c
עָ֝לָ֗י/ו ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff
בַּל bal H1077 not Part
יִמּֽוֹט môwṭ H4131 to shake V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 41:15

מַפְּלֵ֣י mappâl H4651 "refuse" N-mp
This word refers to something that has fallen off or is hanging loosely, like chaff or a flap. In the book of Job, it describes the flaky skin of a crocodile. The word is used to describe something worthless or useless.
Definition: 1) refuse, hanging parts 1a) fallings, refuse 1b) hanging parts (of a crocodile)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: flake, refuse. See also: Job 41:15; Amos 8:6.
בְשָׂר֣/וֹ bâsâr H1320 "flesh" N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.
דָבֵ֑קוּ dâbaq H1692 "to cleave" V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To cleave means to cling or stick to something, like pursuing something closely. It's used in the Bible to describe following God or others.
Definition: 1) to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to, overtake, catch 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cling, cleave to 1a2) to stay with 1b) (Pual) to be joined together 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to cleave to 1c2) to pursue closely 1c3) to overtake 1d) (Hophal) to be made to cleave Aramaic equivalent: de.vaq (דְּבֵק "to cleave" H1693)
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: abide fast, cleave (fast together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together), keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, take. See also: Genesis 2:24; 2 Samuel 20:2; Psalms 22:16.
יָצ֥וּק yâtsaq H3332 "to pour" V-Qal-Inf-c
This verb means to pour something out, like liquid or metal, and can also imply making something firm or hard. It's used in books like Isaiah 44:3 and Jeremiah 10:14.
Definition: : pour 1) to pour, flow, cast, pour out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pour, pour out 1a2) to cast 1a3) to flow 1b) (Hiphil) to pour, pour out 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be poured 1c2) cast, molten (participle) 1c3) being firmly established (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 49 OT verses. KJV: cast, cleave fast, be (as) firm, grow, be hard, lay out, molten, overflow, pour (out), run out, set down, stedfast. See also: Genesis 28:18; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 41:9.
עָ֝לָ֗י/ו ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
בַּל bal H1077 "not" Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means not or nothing, often used to show something is absent or non-existent. It appears in various forms, like lest or neither. The KJV Bible translates it in different ways, including not or none.
Definition: not, hardly, else
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: lest, neither, no, none (that...), not (any), nothing. See also: 1 Chronicles 16:30; Psalms 140:12; Psalms 10:4.
יִמּֽוֹט môwṭ H4131 "to shake" V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to shake or waver, like something that's unstable. It appears in books like Psalms and Proverbs, to describe things that are falling apart or unstable. The KJV translates it as 'be carried' or 'fall'.
Definition: 1) to totter, shake, slip 1a) (Qal) to totter, shake, slip 1b) (Niphal) to be shaken, be moved, be overthrown 1c) (Hiphil) to dislodge, let fall, drop 1d) (Hithpael) to be greatly shaken
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: be carried, cast, be out of course, be fallen in decay, [idiom] exceedingly, fall(-ing down), be (re-) moved, be ready, shake, slide, slip. See also: Leviticus 25:35; Psalms 62:3; Psalms 10:6.

Study Notes — Job 41:15

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Revelation 5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
2 Revelation 5:2–3 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look inside it.
3 Jeremiah 9:23 This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.

Job 41:15 Summary

This verse describes the amazing armor of Leviathan, with rows of scales that are tightly sealed together, showing us God's incredible design in creation. Just like Leviathan's scales protect it, we can trust in God's power and sovereignty to guard us (Psalm 91:4, Proverbs 18:10). The scales also represent Leviathan's pride, reminding us to humble ourselves before God and recognize His strength and wisdom. By trusting in God, we can find confidence and protection in His care, just like Leviathan's scales provide protection for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the rows of scales in Job 41:15?

The rows of scales in Job 41:15 represent the incredible protective armor of Leviathan, a symbol of God's creative power and majesty, as described in Job 41:1-34 and Psalm 104:25-26.

How do the scales relate to Leviathan's pride?

The tightly sealed scales are Leviathan's pride, indicating the immense confidence and strength that comes from being so well-protected, much like the pride that comes from trusting in God's sovereignty, as seen in Proverbs 16:18 and 1 Peter 5:6-7.

What does this verse reveal about God's design in creation?

This verse showcases God's incredible design in creation, where every detail, such as the rows of scales, serves a purpose and reflects His wisdom and power, as stated in Romans 1:20 and Psalm 19:1-6.

How can we apply the concept of pride in this verse to our lives?

We can learn from Leviathan's pride in its scales by recognizing that our own strength and confidence come from God, and we should humble ourselves before Him, as taught in 1 Corinthians 10:12 and James 4:6-10.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are the 'scales' that protect me from the challenges of life, and how can I trust in God's sovereignty to guard me?
  2. How does the image of tightly sealed scales encourage me to trust in God's provision and care for my life?
  3. In what ways can I apply the concept of pride, as seen in Leviathan's scales, to my own life and relationship with God?
  4. What does this verse teach me about the importance of humility and recognizing God's power in my life?

Gill's Exposition on Job 41:15

[His] scales [are his] pride, shut up together [as with] a close seal.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 41:15

His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 41:15

He prides and pleaseth himself in his strong and mighty scales. Heb. His strong shields (i.e. scales) are his pride. Or, (as other, both ancient and modern, interpreters render it,) his body, (or his back, as this word is used, ; which, if meant of the crocodile, is emphatical, because his scales and strength is in his back, whereas his belly is very soft, and easily pierced) is the strength of shields, i.e. fortified with scales strong as shields. This is meant either, 1. Of the whale whose skin, though it be smooth and entire, and without scales, may be said to be as (which particle is oft understood) strong shields, because it is, as Galen reports, exceeding hard and strong, and almost impenetrable, and like a shield, especially then, when shields were made of leather; and so it is not only on the back, as in the crocodile, but also in the belly all over. Or, 2. Of the crocodile, which hath scales properly so called, and those most truly such as are here described, as all authors and eye-witnesses consent. Shut up together as with a close seal; closely compacted together, as things that are fastened together by a seal.

Trapp's Commentary on Job 41:15

Job 41:15 [His] scales [are his] pride, shut up together [as with] a close seal.Ver. 15. His scales are his pride] They are like so many glistering shields, wherein he puts his confidence and takes his pride; as thinking them impenetrable. Shut up together as with a close seal] So closed and put together, like paper sealed with wax, as that nothing can part them. The Jews use to write upon the back of their sealed letters, Nun, Cheth, Shin; that is, Niddui, Cherem, and Shemmatha; all sorts of excommunication to those that open them.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 41:15

Verse 15. His scales are his pride] They are impenetrable, as we have already seen.

Cambridge Bible on Job 41:15

12–34. Description of the parts of Leviathan.

Barnes' Notes on Job 41:15

His scales are his pride - Margin, “strong pieces of shields.” The literal translation of this would be, “Pride, the strong of shields;” that is, the strong shields.

Whedon's Commentary on Job 41:15

15. Scales — Literally, strong shields, (Rosenmuller, Furst;) or, according to others, (Delitzsch, Hitzig,) furrows of the shields.

Sermons on Job 41:15

SermonDescription
Jim Cymbala A Bad Family Tree by Jim Cymbala In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the reason why Jesus had to come. He highlights the guilt and shame that sin brings and uses the story of Tamar
Jonathan Edwards The Excellency of Christ by Jonathan Edwards In this sermon by Jonathan Edwards, he preaches on the excellency of Christ, focusing on Revelation 5:5-6. Edwards emphasizes that it is unnecessary for people to labor and toil fo
Denny Kenaston (Christ) the Incomparable Christ by Denny Kenaston In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of focusing on the incomparable Christ and having a Christ-centered theology. He shares his personal journey of humbling and
Chuck Smith (Through the Bible) Ruth by Chuck Smith In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of holding onto something that is no longer rightfully ours. He refers to the book of Revelation, where a scroll with seven seals
Ken Graves Be a Man - Part 1 by Ken Graves In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the theme of violence in stories and the battle between good and evil. He compares the portrayal of Jesus as a gentle figure to the reality o
George Warnock Cranbrook Fellowship 2000 Albert Zehr With George Warnock and Russell Stendal - the Family (Tape 2) by George Warnock In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of Jesus being the central focus in our meetings and gatherings. He encourages believers to come to meetings not for performan
Willie Mullan (Revelation) the Scene in Heaven by Willie Mullan In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of working diligently and being fully committed to serving God. He refers to the six wings of the heavenly creatures mentioned

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