Job 41:7
Job 41:7 in Multiple Translations
Can you fill his hide with harpoons or his head with fishing spears?
Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?
Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons, Or his head with fish-spears?
Will you put sharp-pointed irons into his skin, or fish-spears into his head?
Can you pierce his skin with many harpoons, its head with fishing spears?
One is set to another, that no winde can come betweene them.
Dost thou fill with barbed irons his skin? And with fish-spears his head?
Can you fill his skin with barbed irons, or his head with fish spears?
Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?
One is joined to another, and not so much as any air can come between them:
Can you pierce their skins by throwing fishing spears at them? Can you pierce their heads with a harpoon?
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 41:7
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 41:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
גַּ֭אֲוָה
אֲפִיקֵ֣י
מָֽגִנִּ֑ים
סָ֝ג֗וּר
חוֹתָ֥ם
צָֽר
גַּ֭אֲוָה
gaʼăvâh
H1346
pride
N-fs
אֲפִיקֵ֣י
ʼâphîyq
H650
channel
N-mp
מָֽגִנִּ֑ים
mâgên
H4043
shield
N-cp
סָ֝ג֗וּר
çâgar
H5462
to shut
V-Qal-Inf-c
חוֹתָ֥ם
chôwthâm
H2368
signet
N-ms
צָֽר
tsar
H6862
narrow
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 41:7
גַּ֭אֲוָה
gaʼăvâh
H1346
"pride"
N-fs
Pride or majesty, describing something or someone that is impressive or arrogant, like the pride of life in 1 John. It can also mean ornament or swelling, like the swelling of the sea in Psalms.
Definition: 1) pride, majesty, a rising up 1a) a rising up, swelling (of the sea) 1b) majesty (of Israel) 1c) pride, haughtiness
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: excellency, haughtiness, highness, pride, proudly, swelling. See also: Deuteronomy 33:26; Psalms 73:6; Psalms 10:2.
אֲפִיקֵ֣י
ʼâphîyq
H650
"channel"
N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to a channel or stream, and can also mean a strong or mighty thing. It appears in various forms, such as a brook or river, and is used to describe a powerful object or hero. In the Bible, it is used to describe natural features like streams and valleys.
Definition: 1) channel 2) ravine 3) of hollow bones (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: brook, channel, mighty, river, [phrase] scale, stream, strong piece. See also: 2 Samuel 22:16; Isaiah 8:7; Psalms 18:16.
מָֽגִנִּ֑ים
mâgên
H4043
"shield"
N-cp
A shield in biblical times, this word also symbolizes protection, like God being a shield to those who trust in Him, as seen in Psalm 3:3. It can also refer to a ruler or leader who defends their people.
Definition: shield, buckler
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] armed, buckler, defence, ruler, [phrase] scale, shield. See also: Genesis 15:1; Psalms 33:20; Psalms 3:4.
סָ֝ג֗וּר
çâgar
H5462
"to shut"
V-Qal-Inf-c
To shut means to close something, like a door or a container. In the Bible, this word is used to describe surrendering or giving something up, like in the book of Ezra where the Israelites shut themselves in to pray.
Definition: 1) to shut, close 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to shut 1a2) to close, close up 1a3) closed up, closely joined, shut up 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be shut up 1b2) to be shut or closed 1c) (Piel) to shut up, deliver up 1d) (Pual) to be shut up 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to deliver up 1e2) to shut up, imprison 2) pure gold Aramaic equivalent: se.gar (סְגַר "to shut" H5463)
Usage: Occurs in 87 OT verses. KJV: close up, deliver (up), give over (up), inclose, [idiom] pure, repair, shut (in, self, out, up, up together), stop, [idiom] straitly. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Kings 11:27; Psalms 17:10.
חוֹתָ֥ם
chôwthâm
H2368
"signet"
N-ms
A signet or seal was a ring used to sign important documents, like a signature ring. It is mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of authority and ownership.
Definition: seal, signet, signet-ring
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: seal, signet. See also: Genesis 38:18; Exodus 39:30; Jeremiah 22:24.
צָֽר
tsar
H6862
"narrow"
Adj
This word means hard or narrow, often referring to trouble or a tight spot, like an adversary or affliction. It can also mean a small stone or pebble, such as flint, and is used in various biblical contexts to describe challenges.
Definition: narrow, tight
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: adversary, afflicted(-tion), anguish, close, distress, enemy, flint, foe, narrow, small, sorrow, strait, tribulation, trouble. See also: Genesis 14:20; Psalms 89:24; Psalms 3:2.
Study Notes — Job 41:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Job 41:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 41:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 41:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 41:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 41:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 41:7
- Cambridge Bible on Job 41:7
- Barnes' Notes on Job 41:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 41:7
Context — The LORD’s Power Shown in Leviathan
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?
7Can you fill his hide with harpoons or his head with fishing spears?
8If you lay a hand on him, you will remember the battle and never repeat it! 9Surely hope of overcoming him is false. Is not the sight of him overwhelming?Job 41:7 Summary
This verse is asking if we can possibly defeat or control something as powerful as the Leviathan, a massive sea creature. The answer is no, we cannot, just like we cannot fill its hide with harpoons or its head with fishing spears. This reminds us that there are things in life that are beyond our control, and we need to trust in God's power and wisdom, as seen in Psalm 121:2, where our help comes from the Lord. By recognizing our limitations and God's power, we can learn to trust Him more and not rely on our own strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the question about filling the hide with harpoons or the head with fishing spears in Job 41:7?
This question highlights the impossibility of conquering the Leviathan, emphasizing its immense strength and power, as also seen in Psalm 104:25-26 where God's creation is described as fearsome and wonderful.
Is the Leviathan a real creature or a mythical one?
While the Bible does not explicitly state whether the Leviathan is real or mythical, it is described in detail in Job 41, suggesting it may be based on a real creature, such as a large sea animal, known to the ancient Israelites, similar to the descriptions in Isaiah 27:1.
What is the purpose of God's questions to Job about the Leviathan?
God's questions to Job are meant to humble him and demonstrate God's sovereignty and power, as stated in Job 40:2, where God asks Job if he will condemn Him to justify himself.
How does this verse relate to our everyday lives?
This verse reminds us of our limitations and the power of God, encouraging us to trust in Him and not in our own abilities, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, where we are advised to trust in the Lord with all our heart.
Reflection Questions
- What are the things in my life that seem as overwhelming as the Leviathan, and how can I trust God to help me navigate them?
- How do I respond when faced with challenges that seem insurmountable, and what can I learn from God's questions to Job about the Leviathan?
- In what ways can I apply the lessons from Job 41:7 to my own life, recognizing the power and sovereignty of God?
- What are some areas where I need to surrender my attempts to control and instead trust in God's power and wisdom?
Gill's Exposition on Job 41:7
Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?] This seems not so well to agree with the whale; whose skin, and the several parts of his body, are to be pierced with
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 41:7
Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears? His hide is not penetrable, as that of fish.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 41:7
This may be understood, either, 1. Of the whale. And whereas it is objected that the whales at this day are taken in this manner, and therefore this cannot be understood of them; it may be replied, both that this art and way of taking whales is a late invention, and was not known in Job’ s time; and that he doth not speak of the absolute impossibility, but of the great difficulty of taking them. Or, 2. Of the crocodile, whose skin is so hard that an iron or spear will not pierce it, as we shall see hereafter.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 41:7
Job 41:7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?Ver. 7. Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons?] Harpagonibus. Heb. With thorns; sc. to pull him to the shore? Opianus, Albertus Magnus, Gesner, and others now write, how whales are to be taken; and experience proves it to be seizable. They are sometimes cast upon the land by the surging rage or violence of the sea, or, by the ebbing thereof, left in a ford, where they cannot swim, and so they become a prey to the fishermen with their guns, darts, &c.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 41:7
Verse 7. Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons?] This refers to some kind of harpoon work, similar to that employed in taking whales, and which they might use for some other kinds of animals; for the skin of the crocodile could not be pierced. Herrera says that he saw a crocodile defend itself against thirty men; and that they fired six balls at it without being able to wound it. It can only be wounded under his belly.
Cambridge Bible on Job 41:7
1–9. The impossibility of capturing the animal.
Barnes' Notes on Job 41:7
Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? - Referring to its thickness and impenetrability. A common method of taking fish is by the spear; but it is here said that the leviathan could not be caught in this manner.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 41:7
7. Barbed irons — Sukkoth; a general term for pointed weapons. Fish spears — Tsiltsal dagim.