Job 41:16
Job 41:16 in Multiple Translations
One scale is so near to another that no air can pass between them.
One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.
One is so near to another, That no air can come between them.
One is so near to the other that no air may come between them.
Its scales are so close together that no air can pass between them.
The mightie are afrayd of his maiestie, and for feare they faint in themselues.
One unto another they draw nigh, And air doth not enter between them.
One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.
One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.
When he shall raise him up, the angels shall fear, and being affrighted shall purify themselves.
The scales are very close together, with the result that not even air can get between them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 41:16
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 41:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לִ֭בּ/וֹ
יָצ֣וּק
כְּמוֹ
אָ֑בֶן
וְ֝/יָצ֗וּק
כְּ/פֶ֣לַח
תַּחְתִּֽית
לִ֭בּ/וֹ
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms | Suff
יָצ֣וּק
yâtsaq
H3332
to pour
V-Qal-Inf-c
כְּמוֹ
kᵉmôw
H3644
like
Prep
אָ֑בֶן
ʼeben
H68
stone
N-fs
וְ֝/יָצ֗וּק
yâtsaq
H3332
to pour
Conj | V-Qal-Inf-c
כְּ/פֶ֣לַח
pelach
H6400
millstone
Prep | N-fs
תַּחְתִּֽית
tachtîy
H8482
lower
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 41:16
לִ֭בּ/וֹ
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
יָצ֣וּק
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.
כְּמוֹ
kᵉmôw
H3644
"like"
Prep
This word means like or as, used to compare things. It appears in the Bible to describe similarities or to make comparisons, such as in the book of Psalms.
Definition: adv 1) like, as, the like of which conj 2) when, according as, as it were
Usage: Occurs in 126 OT verses. KJV: according to, (such) as (it were, well as), in comparison of, like (as, to, unto), thus, when, worth. See also: Genesis 19:15; Job 40:17; Psalms 29:6.
אָ֑בֶן
ʼeben
H68
"stone"
N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a stone, which could be a rock, a weight, or even a precious gem. It is used to describe a variety of objects, from building materials to hailstones. The KJV translates it as stone or weight.
Definition: : weight 1) stone (large or small) 1a) common stone (in natural state) 1b) stone, as material 1b1) of tablets 1b2) marble, hewn stones 1c) precious stones, stones of fire 1d) stones containing metal (ore), tool for work or weapon 1e) weight 1f) plummet (stones of destruction) also made of metal 1g) stonelike objects, eg hailstones, stony heart, ice 1h) sacred object, as memorial Samuel set up to mark where God helped Israel to defeat the Philistines 1i) (simile) 1i1) sinking in water, motionlessness 1i2) strength, firmness, solidity 1i3) commonness 1j) (metaph) 1j1) petrified with terror 1j2) perverse, hard heart
Usage: Occurs in 239 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carbuncle, [phrase] mason, [phrase] plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-) stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s). See also: Genesis 2:12; 1 Samuel 6:15; Psalms 91:12.
וְ֝/יָצ֗וּק
yâtsaq
H3332
"to pour"
Conj | 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.
כְּ/פֶ֣לַח
pelach
H6400
"millstone"
Prep | N-fs
A millstone is a heavy stone used to grind grain, like the ones Jesus talked about in Matthew 24:41. The word refers to a slice or a cut, often used to describe a piece of something. It appears in the Bible as a common household item.
Definition: 1) cleavage, mill-stone, cut, slice, part cut off 1a) mill-stone 1b) cleavage, slice
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: piece. See also: Judges 9:53; Job 41:16; Song of Solomon 6:7.
תַּחְתִּֽית
tachtîy
H8482
"lower"
Adj
Tachtiy means lowermost or the lowest parts, and can also refer to the depths or a pit. It is used figuratively to describe something as low or inferior.
Definition: 1) low, lower, lowest 1a) lowest (as adj) 1b) the lower parts (subst)
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: low (parts, -er, -er parts, -est), nether (part). See also: Genesis 6:16; Psalms 88:7; Psalms 63:10.
Study Notes — Job 41:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Job 41:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 41:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 41:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 41:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 41:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 41:16
- Cambridge Bible on Job 41:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 41:16
Context — The LORD’s Power Shown in Leviathan
14Who can open his jaws, ringed by his fearsome teeth?
15His rows of scales are his pride, tightly sealed together.
16One scale is so near to another that no air can pass between them.
17They are joined to one another; they clasp and cannot be separated. 18His snorting flashes with light, and his eyes are like the rays of dawn.Job 41:16 Summary
This verse is describing the scales of a big sea creature, and how they are packed tightly together, with no space between them. This shows us how amazing and powerful God is, as He created this creature with such precision and detail, just like He created the whole world with precision and care, as seen in Genesis 1:1 and Psalm 139:14. It reminds us to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, just as He takes care of all His creation, including us, as seen in Matthew 6:26 and Psalm 95:4-5.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this verse reveal about God's creation?
This verse highlights the intricate design and precision of God's creation, as seen in the scales of the Leviathan, which are so tightly sealed that no air can pass between them, demonstrating God's attention to detail and power, as also seen in Psalm 104:24 and Isaiah 40:28
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse is part of a larger description of the Leviathan, a fearsome sea creature, in Job 41, which serves to illustrate God's sovereignty and power, as He describes to Job the wonders of His creation, including the mighty Leviathan, in Job 41:1-34
What can we learn about God's character from this verse?
This verse reveals God's character as a meticulous and powerful Creator, who is able to design and create complex and fearsome creatures, as also seen in Jeremiah 27:5 and Romans 1:20
How does this verse apply to our everyday lives?
This verse reminds us of the awe-inspiring power and precision of God's creation, and encourages us to trust in His sovereignty and provision, as seen in Matthew 6:26 and Psalm 95:4-5
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can marvel at God's creation and acknowledge His power in my daily life?
- How can I apply the concept of God's meticulous design to my own life and circumstances, trusting in His sovereignty?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's provision and care, just as the Leviathan is a testament to God's power and provision in creation?
- In what ways can I reflect on the intricate details of God's creation, and how can I use those reflections to deepen my faith and trust in Him?
Gill's Exposition on Job 41:16
One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 41:16
One is so near to another, that no air can come between them. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 41:16
Which plainly shows that the shields or scales are several; which agrees better to the crocodile than to the whale, whose skin is all one entire piece, unless there were a sort of whales having thick and strong scales, which some have affirmed, but is not yet known and proved.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 41:16
Job 41:16 One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.Ver. 16. One is so near to another, that no air, &c.] One scale or flake is. This is more proper, say some, to the crocodile than to the whale; but who can tell the different kinds of whales, some whereof are said to have great and thick scales close compacted, as here? Quod si squammae Leviathan ita cohaereant, ut earum opere textili densato, &c. (Vide Cocceium in locum). Let the saints strengthen themselves by close sticking the one to the other, as the primitive Christians did; so that the very heathens acknowledged that no people under heaven did so hold together and love one another as they, being like that Sacra cohors, holy band of soldiers in the Theban army, which consisted εξεραστωνκαιερωμενων, of such only who were joined together in the bonds of love; and these they esteemed the prime of all their strength in battle (Athenaeus, lib. 3).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 41:16
Verse 16. One is so near to another] It has already been stated, that a musket-ball fired at him in any direction cannot make a passage through his scales.
Cambridge Bible on Job 41:16
12–34. Description of the parts of Leviathan.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 41:16
16. No air — Rouahh, used in an active sense for air in motion, and poetically rendered by Scott, “no breath of wind.”