Job 41:26

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Job 41:26 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

The sword that reaches him has no effect, nor does the spear or dart or arrow.

King James Version KJV

The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.

American Standard Version ASV

If one lay at him with the sword, it cannot avail; Nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft.

Bible in Basic English BBE

The sword may come near him but is not able to go through him; the spear, or the arrow, or the sharp-pointed iron.

Free Bible Version FBV

Swords just bounce off it, as do spears, darts, and javelins.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

The sword of his overtaker standeth not, Spear — dart — and lance.

World English Bible WEB

If one attacks him with the sword, it can’t prevail; nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

The sword of him that attacketh him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.

Translation for Translators T4T

People [PRS] cannot injure them with swords, and spears or darts or javelins cannot injure them, either.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Job 41:26

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 41:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB אֵֽת כָּל גָּבֹ֥הַּ יִרְאֶ֑ה ה֝֗וּא מֶ֣לֶךְ עַל כָּל בְּנֵי שָֽׁחַץ

אֵֽת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

גָּבֹ֥הַּ gâbôahh H1364 high Adj

יִרְאֶ֑ה râʼâh H7200 Provider V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

ה֝֗וּא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Pron

מֶ֣לֶךְ melek H4428 King's N-ms

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

בְּנֵי bên H1121 son N-mp

שָֽׁחַץ shachats H7830 pride N-ms

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 41:26

אֵֽת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" 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.

גָּבֹ֥הַּ gâbôahh H1364 "high" Adj

High means elevated or powerful, like a tall mountain or a proud person, as described in Proverbs where pride comes before a fall.

Definition: adj 1) high, exalted 1a) high, tall 1b) high (in position) 1c) proud, haughty n m 2) loftiness Also means: ga.vah (גָּבֹהַּ "high" H1362)

Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: haughty, height, high(-er), lofty, proud, [idiom] exceeding proudly. See also: Genesis 7:19; Isaiah 5:15; Psalms 104:18.

יִרְאֶ֑ה râʼâh H7200 "Provider" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.

Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after

Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.

ה֝֗וּא hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Pron

This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.

Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)

Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.

מֶ֣לֶךְ melek H4428 "King's" N-ms

This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.

Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

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.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

בְּנֵי bên H1121 "son" N-mp

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

שָֽׁחַץ shachats H7830 "pride" N-ms

This word describes a proud or haughty attitude, like that of a majestic lion. It is used in Proverbs 21:24 to warn against the dangers of pride.

Definition: 1) dignity, pride 1a) majestic wild beasts

Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] lion, pride. See also: Job 28:8; Job 41:26.

Study Notes — Job 41:26

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Job 41:26 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Job 41:26
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 41:26
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 41:26
Trapp's Commentary on Job 41:26
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 41:26
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 41:26
Cambridge Bible on Job 41:26
Barnes' Notes on Job 41:26
Whedon's Commentary on Job 41:26

Context — The LORD’s Power Shown in Leviathan

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.

26The sword that reaches him has no effect, nor does the spear or dart or arrow.

27He regards iron as straw and bronze as rotten wood. 28No arrow can make him flee; slingstones become like chaff to him.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Job 39:21–24	He paws in the valley and rejoices in his strength; he charges into battle. He laughs at fear, frightened of nothing; he does not turn back from the sword. A quiver rattles at his side, along with a flashing spear and lance. Trembling with excitement, he devours the distance; he cannot stand still when the ram’s horn sounds.

Job 41:26 Summary

This verse, Job 41:26, tells us that even the strongest weapons can't hurt Leviathan, a powerful creature created by God. This shows us how amazing and powerful God's creation is, and how much stronger He is than anything we can imagine (as seen in Psalm 93:4). It also reminds us that, just like human weapons can't hurt Leviathan, our own strength and efforts are often not enough to overcome life's challenges, and we need to trust in God's power and wisdom (as expressed in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10). By recognizing our own limitations and trusting in God, we can face life's challenges with confidence and faith.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the phrase 'The sword that reaches him has no effect' mean in the context of Job 41:26?

This phrase means that even the strongest and most powerful human weapons have no impact on Leviathan, emphasizing his incredible strength and resilience, as also seen in Job 41:27 where he regards iron as straw and bronze as rotten wood.

Is the description of Leviathan's invincibility meant to be taken literally?

While the passage is often seen as a poetic and symbolic description, its literal meaning highlights God's creation of powerful and awe-inspiring creatures, much like the description of the lion in Proverbs 30:29-31, which also conveys a sense of wonder and might.

What does this verse teach us about God's power and creation?

This verse teaches us about the incredible power and majesty of God's creation, as seen in Psalm 104:24-25, where God's wisdom and power are evident in all His works, including the creation of mighty creatures like Leviathan.

How does this verse relate to our everyday lives and struggles?

This verse reminds us that, just as human weapons are ineffective against Leviathan, our own strength and efforts are often insufficient to overcome life's challenges, and we must rely on God's power and wisdom, as expressed in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, where God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Reflection Questions

What does the image of Leviathan's invincibility evoke in my heart and mind, and how can I apply this to my own trust in God's power and protection?
In what ways do I try to rely on my own strength and abilities, rather than trusting in God's power and wisdom, and how can I surrender these areas to Him?
How can I balance the recognition of my own limitations and weaknesses with the knowledge of God's infinite power and wisdom, as seen in Job 41:26 and other passages like Jeremiah 32:17?
What are some areas in my life where I feel like I'm facing a 'Leviathan' - a seemingly insurmountable challenge or enemy - and how can I trust God to help me overcome it, as promised in Isaiah 41:10?

Gill's Exposition on Job 41:26

The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold,.... It is either broken by striking at him, or however cannot pierce him and stick in him; but since a sword is not used in fishery, rather the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 41:26

The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon. Cannot hold - on his hard skin.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 41:26

That layeth at him; that approacheth to him, and dare strike at him. Cannot hold, Heb. cannot stand, i.e. either, 1. Cannot endure the stroke, but will be broken by it. Or rather, 2. Cannot abide or take hold of him, or be fixed in him; but is instantly beaten back by the excessive hardness of the skin, which cannot be pierced by it, as may be gathered from this and other passages before and after it. This also seems better to agree to the crocodile, whose skin no sword, nor dart, nor musket bullet (as others add) can pierce, than to the whale, whose skin is easily pierced, as experience showeth in our whales; except the whale here spoken of were of another kind, which is not impossible. Nor the habergeon; or, breastplate. As offensive weapons cannot hurt him, so defensive weapons cannot secure a man from him. But men that go upon the design of taking either whales or crocodiles do not use to fortify themselves in that manner. Some therefore take this to be another offensive weapon, a kind of dart, as this word signifies in the Arabic language; which is but a dialect of the Hebrew, and from which the true signification of many Hebrew words must be gathered.

Trapp's Commentary on Job 41:26

Job 41:26 The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.Ver. 26. The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold] So close are his scales, so thick his skin, that there is no wounding of him. There was not of old, it seemeth. But now there is a way found of shooting and piercing him, so that he dieth with a horrible noise and outcry. Nor the habergeon] A defensive weapon will be as useless as those other offensive; for the whale will soon swallow up the armed as well as the unarmed.

Ellicott's Commentary on Job 41:26

(26) The sword of him that layeth at him.—Literally, As to one approaching him (to slay him), his sword cannot stand; it will snap in his hand.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 41:26

Verse 26. Habergeon.] The hauberk, the Norman armour for the head, neck, and breast, formed of rings. See on Ne 4:16.

Cambridge Bible on Job 41:26

12–34. Description of the parts of Leviathan.

Barnes' Notes on Job 41:26

The sword of him that layeth at him - The word “sword” here (חרב chereb) means undoubtedly “harpoon,” or a sharp instrument by which an attempt is made to pierce the skin of the monster. Cannot hold - That is, in the hard skin.

Whedon's Commentary on Job 41:26

26. The sword of him that layeth at him, etc. — If one (literally, he who) reaches him with the sword. Cannot hold — Literally, stand, stand fast, keep hold.