Job 41:8

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

If you lay a hand on him, you will remember the battle and never repeat it!

American Standard Version (1901)

Lay thy hand upon him; Remember the battle, and do so no more.

Bible in Basic English

Only put your hand on him, and see what a fight you will have; you will not do it again!

Free Bible Version

If you were to grab hold of it, imagine the battle you would have! You wouldn't do that again!

King James (Authorized) Version

Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.

Translation for Translators

If you grab one of them with your hands, it will fight you in a way that you will never forget, and you will never try to do it again!

Unlocked Literal Bible

Put your hand on him just once, and you will remember the battle and do it no more.

Noah Webster Bible

Lay thy hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.

World English Bible

Lay your hand on him. Remember the battle, and do so no more.

Young's Literal Translation

Place on him thy hand, Remember the battle — do not add!

Context

The LORD’s Power Shown in Leviathan

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!

Summary

In this verse, God challenges Job to confront Leviathan, a powerful sea creature, and see if he can subdue it. This imagery symbolizes the untamable and fearsome nature of Leviathan, representing the forces of chaos and evil in the world that only God can control. The verse serves to remind Job of God's sovereignty and omnipotence, emphasizing that only God has the power to overcome such formidable adversaries. It underscores the theme of divine supremacy and the limitations of human strength and understanding in the face of God's divine authority.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Lay thine hand upon him? - Mr. Heath translates, "Be sure thou strike home. Mind thy blow: rely not upon a second stroke." Mr. Good translates: - "Make ready thy hand against him. Dare the contest: be firm." He is a dangerous animal; when thou attackest him, be sure of thy advantage; if thou miss, thou art ruined. Depend not on other advantages, if thou miss the first. Kill him at once, or he will kill thee.