Job 41:5

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Can you pet him like a bird or put him on a leash for your maidens?

American Standard Version (1901)

Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? Or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

Bible in Basic English

Will you make sport with him, as with a bird? or put him in chains for your young women?

Free Bible Version

Will you play with it like a pet bird? Will you put it on a leash for your girls?

King James (Authorized) Version

Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

Translation for Translators

Can you cause them to become pets like you cause birds to become your pets? Can you put a leash/rope around their necks so that your servant girls can play with them?

Unlocked Literal Bible

Will you play with him as you would with a bird? Will you tie him up for your servant girls?

Noah Webster Bible

Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

World English Bible

Will you play with him as with a bird? Or will you bind him for your girls?

Young's Literal Translation

Dost thou play with him as a bird? And dost thou bind him for thy damsels?

Context

The LORD’s Power Shown in Leviathan

⁴Will he make a covenant with you to take him as a slave for life? ⁵Can you pet him like a bird or put him on a leash for your maidens? ⁶Will traders barter for him or divide him among the merchants?

Summary

In this verse, God challenges Job to consider the power and might of Leviathan, a sea creature symbolizing chaos and evil in ancient Near Eastern mythology. The description of Leviathan's strength and invincibility serves to emphasize God's sovereignty over all creation, including the forces of chaos and destruction. Job is reminded of his limited understanding and inability to contend with such a creature, highlighting the vast difference between human frailty and divine omnipotence. Ultimately, this verse underscores the need for humility and trust in God's wisdom and control over the universe, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Wilt thou play with him - Is he such a creature as thou canst tame; and of which thou canst make a pet, and give as a plaything to thy little girls? נערותיך naarotheycha; probably alluding to the custom of catching birds, tying a string to their legs, and giving them to children to play with; a custom execrable as ancient, and disgraceful as modern.

Job 41:5

The LORD’s Power Shown in Leviathan

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Can you pet him like a bird or put him on a leash for your maidens?

American Standard Version (1901)

Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? Or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

Bible in Basic English

Will you make sport with him, as with a bird? or put him in chains for your young women?

Free Bible Version

Will you play with it like a pet bird? Will you put it on a leash for your girls?

King James (Authorized) Version

Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

Translation for Translators

Can you cause them to become pets like you cause birds to become your pets? Can you put a leash/rope around their necks so that your servant girls can play with them?

Unlocked Literal Bible

Will you play with him as you would with a bird? Will you tie him up for your servant girls?

Noah Webster Bible

Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

World English Bible

Will you play with him as with a bird? Or will you bind him for your girls?

Young's Literal Translation

Dost thou play with him as a bird? And dost thou bind him for thy damsels?