Job 41:23
Job 41:23 in Multiple Translations
The folds of his flesh are tightly joined; they are firm and immovable.
The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.
The flakes of his flesh are joined together: They are firm upon him; they cannot be moved.
The plates of his flesh are joined together, fixed, and not to be moved.
Its body is dense and solid, as if it is made from cast metal.
He maketh a path to shine after him: one would thinke the depth as an hoare head.
The flakes of his flesh have adhered — Firm upon him — it is not moved.
The flakes of his flesh are joined together. They are firm on him. They can’t be moved.
The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.
A path shall shine after him, he shall esteem the deep as growing old.
The folds in their flesh are very close together and are very hard/firm.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 41:23
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 41:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יַרְתִּ֣יחַ
כַּ/סִּ֣יר
מְצוּלָ֑ה
יָ֝֗ם
יָשִׂ֥ים
כַּ/מֶּרְקָחָֽה
יַרְתִּ֣יחַ
râthach
H7570
to boil
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
כַּ/סִּ֣יר
çîyr
H5518
pot
Prep | N-cs
מְצוּלָ֑ה
mᵉtsôwlâh
H4688
depth
N-fs
יָ֝֗ם
yâm
H3220
West
N-ms
יָשִׂ֥ים
sûwm
H7760
to set
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
כַּ/מֶּרְקָחָֽה
merqâchâh
H4841
ointment pot/seasoning
Prep | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 41:23
יַרְתִּ֣יחַ
râthach
H7570
"to boil"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
To boil or cause something to boil. In the book of Exodus, it describes the boiling of water. The prophet Jeremiah also uses it to describe the boiling over of God's wrath.
Definition: 1) to boil 1a) (Piel) to cause to boil 1b) (Pual) to be made to boil 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to boil
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: boil. See also: Job 30:27; Job 41:23; Ezekiel 24:5.
כַּ/סִּ֣יר
çîyr
H5518
"pot"
Prep | N-cs
This word refers to a thorn or a hook, something that springs up rapidly. It can also mean a pot or a pan, and is used in various contexts in the Bible, including cooking and fishing.
Definition: 1) pot 1a) pot (household utensil) 1b) pot (of temple)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: caldron, fishhook, pan, (wash-)pot, thorn. See also: Exodus 16:3; Ecclesiastes 7:6; Psalms 58:10.
מְצוּלָ֑ה
mᵉtsôwlâh
H4688
"depth"
N-fs
This word refers to a deep place, like the bottom of a sea or a low area. It's used to describe the depth of water or a deep location in the Bible. The deep sea is a mysterious place.
Definition: depth, the deep, the deep sea
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: bottom, deep, depth. See also: Exodus 15:5; Psalms 69:16; Psalms 68:23.
יָ֝֗ם
yâm
H3220
"West"
N-ms
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
יָשִׂ֥ים
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set
Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.
כַּ/מֶּרְקָחָֽה
merqâchâh
H4841
"ointment pot/seasoning"
Prep | N-fs
A merqachah was a container used to mix and prepare spiced oils and perfumes. It could also refer to the act of seasoning or compounding these fragrances. The term is associated with the preparation of sweet-smelling ointments.
Definition: 1) a seasoning, compounding, spice-seasoning 2) ointment pot
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: pot of ointment, [idiom] well. See also: Job 41:23; Ezekiel 24:10.
Study Notes — Job 41:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Job 41:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 41:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 41:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 41:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 41:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 41:23
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 41:23
- Cambridge Bible on Job 41:23
- Barnes' Notes on Job 41:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 41:23
Context — The LORD’s Power Shown in Leviathan
21His breath sets coals ablaze, and flames pour from his mouth.
22Strength resides in his neck, and dismay leaps before him.
23The folds of his flesh are tightly joined; they are firm and immovable.
24His chest is as hard as a rock, as hard as a lower millstone! 25When Leviathan rises up, the mighty are terrified; they withdraw before his thrashing.Job 41:23 Summary
The verse Job 41:23 describes the incredible strength and toughness of Leviathan's body, where his folds of flesh are firm and immovable. This image helps us understand God's creative power and attention to detail, as seen in other Bible verses like Psalm 19:1-6. Just as Leviathan's body is strong and resilient, we can trust in God's power and wisdom to guide us through life's challenges, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Isaiah 40:28-31. By reflecting on this verse, we can gain a deeper appreciation for God's creation and our place within it, as seen in Romans 1:20.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the folds of Leviathan's flesh are tightly joined?
This refers to the incredible strength and toughness of Leviathan's body, as described in Job 41:23, where his folds of flesh are firm and immovable, much like the description of his chest being as hard as a rock in Job 41:24.
Is Leviathan a real creature or a mythical one?
While the Bible does not provide a clear answer, the description of Leviathan in Job 41, including Job 41:23, suggests that it may be a reference to a large aquatic creature, such as a crocodile or a whale, which were well-known to the ancient Israelites, as seen in Psalm 104:25-26 and Isaiah 27:1.
What does this verse reveal about God's creation?
This verse highlights the incredible diversity and complexity of God's creation, as seen in the detailed description of Leviathan in Job 41, including Job 41:23, which demonstrates God's power and wisdom, as stated in Psalm 104:24 and Romans 1:20.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the book of Job?
This verse is part of God's response to Job, where He describes the wonders of His creation, including Leviathan, to remind Job of His power and wisdom, as seen in Job 38-41, and to help Job understand that God's ways are not always understandable to humans, as stated in Job 42:3 and Isaiah 55:9.
Reflection Questions
- What does the description of Leviathan's flesh in Job 41:23 reveal about God's creative power and attention to detail?
- How does the image of Leviathan's folds of flesh being tightly joined challenge or encourage my faith in God's sovereignty?
- In what ways can I apply the concept of strength and firmness, as seen in Leviathan's body, to my own spiritual life, as encouraged in Ephesians 6:10-18 and 2 Timothy 2:1-2?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of respecting and appreciating God's creation, as seen in Psalm 19:1-6 and Romans 1:20?
Gill's Exposition on Job 41:23
The flakes of his flesh are joined together,.... The muscles of his hefty are not flaccid and flabby, but solid and firmly compacted; they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved; that is, not
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 41:23
The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved. Flakes - rather, dewlaps. That which falls down: margin, fallings [ mapaal (H4651), from naapal (H5307), fall].
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 41:23
The flakes, or parts, which stick out, or hang loose, and are ready to fall from other fishes or creatures. Of his flesh: the word flesh is used of fishes also, as . They cannot, without difficulty, be moved, to wit, out of their place, or from the other members of the body.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 41:23
Job 41:23 The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.Ver. 23. The flakes of his flesh are joined together] Heb. The failings, or the refuse and vilest parts, as the word is rendered, Amos 8:6. Now if God be so punctual in the description of these also, can any one think that he hath let pass anything in the Holy Scriptures that belong to our salvation? What need is there then of human traditions? They are firm in themselves] Heb. molten. Firm they must be, because so joined together. Vis unita fortior; but dissension is the mother of dissolution. England is a mighty animal (saith a great politician) which can never die, except it kill itself. They cannot be moved] Or, he cannot be moved.
He may say, as Terminus of old, Nulli cedo, I give place to none unless I please.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 41:23
(23) The flakes of his flesh—i.e., the parts that in other animals hang down: e.g., dewlaps, &c., are not flabby, as with them.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 41:23
Verse 23. The flakes of his flesh] His muscles are strongly and firmly compacted.
Cambridge Bible on Job 41:23
23. The verse reads, The flakes of his flesh cleave fast together; It is firm upon him, it is not moved. The “flakes” of his flesh are the parts beneath the neck and belly, which in most animals are soft and pendulous; in him they are firm and hard. In the second clause it refers to his flesh, which is “firm,” lit. cast or molten, and does not move, or shake, with the motions of his body.
Barnes' Notes on Job 41:23
The flakes of his flesh are joined together - Margin, “fallings.” The Hebrew word used here means anything “falling,” or “pendulous,” and the reference here is, probably, to the pendulous parts of
Whedon's Commentary on Job 41:23
γ. This section resumes the subject left at Job 41:17, (from which Job 41:18-22 are a digression, setting forth the terribleness of leviathan,) and shows that even the fleshy parts of this monster