Job 40:16 — Word Study
WLCהִנֵּה־ נָ֣א כֹח֣וֹ בְמָתְנָ֑יו וְ֝אֹנ֗וֹ בִּשְׁרִירֵ֥י בִטְנֽוֹ׃
BSASeehinnêh [behold, look] the strengthkôach [power, might] of his loinsmôthen [waist, hips] and the powerʼôwn [force, ability] in the musclesshârîyr△ [sinews, tendons] of his bellybeṭen [abdomen, stomach]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הִנֵּה־ | there! | Particle |
| נָ֣א | please | Particle |
| כֹח֣וֹ | strength its | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| בְמָתְנָ֑יו | [is] in loins its | Preposition, noun common masculine dual construct, suffix |
| וְ֝אֹנ֗וֹ | and power its | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| בִּשְׁרִירֵ֥י | in [the] muscles of | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct |
| בִטְנֽוֹ׃ | belly its | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | See the strength of his loins and the power in the muscles of his belly. |
| KJV | Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. |
| ASV | Lo now, his strength is in his loins, And his force is in the muscles of his belly. |
| YLT | Lo, I pray thee, his power [is] in his loins, And his strength in the muscles of his belly. |
| WEB | Look now, his strength is in his thighs. His force is in the muscles of his belly. |
| BBE | His strength is in his body, and his force in the muscles of his stomach. |
The translations agree on the rendering of the strength of Behemoth, particularly in the use of כֹח֣וֹ.
The sentence is structured around a main command followed by descriptive phrases that elaborate on the subject's strength.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 7 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 40:16
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Description of Behemothgenerated
Job 40:16 is part of God's response to Job, where He highlights the power and strength of Behemoth, a creature created by Him. This verse invites Job to consider the might of this animal, which serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty in creation. The surrounding verses further elaborate on Behemoth's characteristics, emphasizing its strength and majesty.
Cross References
The Key Word — כֹח֣וֹ, kho.Chogenerated
The word כֹחַ (koach) denotes strength or power, often used in contexts describing physical might, whether of humans, animals, or divine beings. In this verse, it specifically refers to the strength of Behemoth's loins, illustrating the creature's formidable physicality.
The parsing indicates that it is a noun in the singular construct form, suggesting a specific strength associated with Behemoth. This word captures the essence of might, both in a literal and metaphorical sense, as it conveys the idea of force or ability.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the term strength for כֹח֣וֹ, consistent with the KJV and ASV that also employ strength.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of a main clause initiated by the finite verb הִנֵּה־, see, which commands attention to Behemoth's strength. It is followed by a compound structure detailing the specifics of that strength through two noun phrases: the strength in its loins and the power in the muscles of its belly.
The structure emphasizes the physical attributes of Behemoth, with the finite verb leading the sentence and drawing focus to the descriptions that follow.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הִנֵּה as ἰδοὺ, which similarly serves to draw attention. This choice maintains the imperative nature of the command to observe Behemoth's strength.
The Greek word δύναμις is used for אֹנ֗וֹ, indicating a direct correlation in meaning, focusing on the concept of power and might.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 40:16 invites us to observe the immense strength of Behemoth, emphasizing the power in its loins and muscles. This description serves to highlight the creature's might and the majesty of God's creation.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
God wants Job to recognize the immense strength and power of Behemoth, illustrating the creature's might as part of His creation.
The emphasis on Behemoth's strength serves to remind Job of God's sovereignty and power in creating such a formidable creature.
This verse contributes to the overall message of Job by highlighting God's control over creation, contrasting human limitations with divine power.
The description of Behemoth encourages us to reflect on the majesty of God's creation and the power inherent in it.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What aspects of God's creation do I find most awe-inspiring, and why?
- How does recognizing God's power in creation affect my understanding of my own challenges?
- In what ways can I appreciate the strength and might present in the world around me?
- How can I apply the lesson of humility in the face of God's creation to my daily life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss the nature of strength and creation, with insights on the significance of Behemoth's might.
What is understood by the loins except the delight of the flesh? Hence the Psalmist also asks, saying: "Burn my loins." For if he had not known that the pleasure of lust resides in the loins,Early Church Fathers on Job 40 →
His strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. 20. The places for the seed of coition are said to be in the loins with men, but in the navel with women.Early Church Fathers on Job 40 →
The words “its strength is in its cover” [mean] its strength and vigor are precisely in the animal itself. Animals usually take shelter in different places, but [the author] says this animal does not need a shelter at all.Early Church Fathers on Job 40 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 40:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleLo now, his strength [is] in his loins,.... The strength of the elephant is well known, being able to carry a castle on its back, with a number of men therein; but what follows does not seem so well
Read John Gill on Job 40 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryBehold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 40 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHe hath strength answerable to his bulk, but this strength by God’ s wise and merciful providence is not an offensive strength, consisting in or put forth by horns or claws, as it is in ravenous creatures; but only defensive, and seated in his loins, as it is in other creatures, whereby he is rendered more serviceable to men by the carrying of vast burdens. His force is in the navel of his belly; which though in the elephant it be weaker than his loins, whence the rhinoceros fighting with him aims at that part; yet hath a more than ordinary strength in it, as appears by the binding of the heaviest burdens under and about it. This also agrees to the hippopotamus in an eminent degree, whose…
Read Matthew Poole on Job 40 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 40:16 Lo now, his strength [is] in his loins, and his force [is] in the navel of his belly.Ver. 16. Lo, now, his strength is in his loins] Wherein he is so strong that he can bear a wooden tower upon his back, and upon that thirty two men standing to fight therefrom. In India, where the largest elephants are, they ride upon the larger, plough with the lesser, and carry great loads and burdens with both. For which and the like purposes, totus robustissimus est superne et inferne (Junius). Howbeit God hath chiefly placed his strength, not in any offensive part (his head hath no horns, and his feet no claws, to do mischief with), but in his loins, and about his belly. And his force is in…
Read John Trapp on Job 40 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(16) In the navel.—Rather, in the sinews, or muscles.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 40 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 16. His strength is in his loins] This refers to his great agility, notwithstanding his bulk; by the strength of his loins he was able to take vast springs, and make astonishing bounds.
Read AdamClarke on Job 40 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and CollegesChap. Job 40:6 to Job 42:6. The Lord’s Second Answer to Job out of the Storm Shall Man charge God with unrighteousness in His Rule of the World? All that the first speech of the Lord touched upon was the presumption of a mortal man desiring to contend with the Almighty. The display from Creation of that which God is had the desired effect on Job’s mind: he is abased, and will no more contend with the Almighty. But Job had not only presumed to contend with God, he had charged Him with unrighteousness in His rule of the world and in His treatment of himself. This is the point to which the second speech from the storm is directed. The passage has properly two parts. First, Job 40:6-14, as Job…
Read Cambridge on Job 40 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleLo now, his strength is in his loins - The inspection of the figure of the hippopotamus will show the accuracy of this.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 40 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
See the strength of his loins and the power in the muscles of his belly.
Look now, his strength is in his thighs. His force is in the muscles of his belly.
See the strength of his loins and the power in the muscles of his belly.
Look at its strength in its loins, and its power in the muscles of its belly.
Tyndale line
Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
Lo now, his strength is in his loins, And his force is in the muscles of his belly.
Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the muscles of his belly.
Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
Lyeth hee vnder the trees in the couert of the reede and fennes?
Strictly literal
Behold now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the muscles of his belly.
Lo, I pray thee, his power [is] in his loins, And his strength in the muscles of his belly.
Now behold, his power [is] in his loins, || And his strength in the muscles of his belly.
Only see, [how great] is his strength in his loins, and his force, in the muscles of his belly.
See now, his strength is in his loins; his power is in his belly's muscles.
From the Latin
He sleepeth under the shadow, in the covert of the reed, and in moist places.
Simplified
Look at its powerful loins, the muscles of its belly.
His strength is in his body, and his force in the muscles of his stomach.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in their wording for this verse, with all seven Hebrew words matched in the Greek translation, reflecting a consistent understanding of Behemoth's strength.
הִנֵּה־ נָ֣א כֹח֣וֹ בְמָתְנָ֑יו וְ֝אֹנ֗וֹ בִּשְׁרִירֵ֥י בִטְנֽוֹ׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 40:16
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
הִנֵּה (hinneh) is a Hebrew word meaning 'behold' or 'lo!' It serves as a demonstrative particle used to draw attention, appearing in contexts such as Genesis 19:2. The word is derived from a prolongation of another Hebrew term, but the entries do not provide further details on its usage beyond this.
הִנֵּה, once הִנֶּה־ Gn 19:2, demonstr.part. lo!, behold!
base
H2009 הִנֵּה, הִנֶּה־ lo!, behold!
2009 hinneh hin-nay'
prolongation for 2005; lo!:--behold, lo, see.
see HEBREW for 02005
הִנֵּה (hin.neh) — behold.
behold, lo, see, if
Part — ParticleHTj
נָא (na') is a Hebrew particle used primarily for entreaty or exhortation, meaning 'I pray,' 'now,' or 'please.' It often appears attached to verbs in the imperative or future forms, and can also modify interjections, adverbs, or conjunctions. The entries consistently emphasize its role in expressing a plea or request.
נָא part. of entreaty or exhortation, I (we) pray, now (enclitic)
base
H4994 נָא I (we) pray, now (enclitic)
4994 na' naw
a primitive particle of incitement and entreaty, which may
usually be rendered: "I pray," "now," or "then"; added mostly
to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections,
occasionally to an adverb or conjunction:--I beseech (pray)
thee (you), go to, now, oh.
נָא (na) — please.
1) I (we) pray, now, please
1a) used in entreaty or exhortation
HTj — ParticleHTj
כֹּחַ (koach) refers to both a small reptile, likely a type of lizard, and the concepts of strength and power. The entries highlight its use in contexts of human and divine strength, as well as its association with wealth and capacity. Notably, it appears in Leviticus 11:30 regarding unclean animals.
כֹּחַ n.[m.] a small reptile, prob. a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things Lv 11:30; chameleon
ref
כֹּחַ and כּוֹחַ n.m. strength, power
base
H3581a כֹּחַ a small reptile, prob. a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things; chameleon H3581b כֹּחַ and כּוֹחַ strength, power
3581 koach ko'-akh
or (Dan. 11:6) kowach {ko'-akh}; from an unused root meaning
to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense)
or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its
hardiness) a large lizard: -ability, able, chameleon, force,
fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth.
כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — reptile.
1) a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean
1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
כֹּחַ (ko.ach) — strength.
1) strength, power, might
1a) human strength
1b) strength (of angels)
1c) power (of God)
1d) strength (of animals)
1e) strength, produce, wealth (of soil)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
מַתְנַ֫יִם (matanim) refers to the loins or hips, derived from a root meaning to be slender. It appears in the plural form and is associated with the term for a greyhound in Proverbs 30:31. The word captures the anatomical region of the waist or small of the back.
מַתְנַ֫יִם n.m.du. loins
base
H4975 מַתְנַ֫יִם loins
4975 mothen mo'-then
from an unused root meaning to be slender; properly, the
waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins:--+
greyhound, loins, side.
מׇתְנַ֫יִם (mo.ten) — loin.
1) loins, hips
1a) used with zar.zir (זַרְזִיר "greyhound" H2223) in Pr 30:31; perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning unknown
Prep | N-md | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine dual construct · suffixHR/Ncmdc/Sp3ms
אוֹן (on) encompasses concepts of strength, vigor, and wealth. It is built from the idea of effort leading to success, indicating not just physical might but also generative power and material wealth. The term appears in contexts relating to both human strength and resources.
אוֹן n.m. vigour, wealth
manly vigor
strength
wealth
base
H202 אוֹן vigour, wealth . manly vigor
. strength
. wealth
202 'own one
probably from the same as 205 (in the sense of effort, but
successful); ability, power, (figuratively) wealth:--force,
goods, might, strength, substance.
see HEBREW for 0205
אוֹן (on) — strength.
1) vigour, generative power
2) wealth
3) physical strength (of men and behemoth)
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
שָׁרִיר (shariyr) refers to a sinew or muscle. It is derived from the root associated with cords and has a specific mention in Job 40:16. The entries consistently identify it as relating to muscle or sinew without significant disagreement.
[שָׁרִיר] n.[m.] sinew, muscle;—pl. cstr. Jb 40:16
ref
H8306 שָׁרִיר
8306 shariyr shaw-reer'
from 8324 in the original sense as in 8270 (compare 8326); a
cord, i.e. (by analogy) sinew:--navel.
see HEBREW for 08324
see HEBREW for 08270
see HEBREW for 08326
שָׁרִיר (sha.rir) — muscle.
sinew, muscle
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural constructHR/Ncmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word בֶּ֫טֶן (*beten*) primarily means 'belly,' 'body,' or 'womb.' It is derived from a root suggesting hollowness and encompasses various uses, including the physical abdomen and metaphorical meanings, such as the seat of hunger or mental faculties. The lexicons consistently highlight these aspects without significant disagreement.
בֶּ֫טֶן n.f. belly, body, womb
base
H990 בֶּ֫טֶן belly, body, womb
990 beten beh'-ten
from an unused root probably meaning to be hollow; the belly,
especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything:--
belly, body, + as they be born, + within, womb.
בֶּ֫טֶן (be.ten) — belly: abdomen.
: abdomen
1) belly, womb, body
1a) belly, abdomen
1a1) as seat of hunger
1a2) as seat of mental faculties
1a3) of depth of Sheol (fig.)
1b) womb
בֶּ֫טֶן (be.ten) — belly: womb.
: womb/pregnancy
1) belly, womb, body
1a) belly, abdomen
1a1) as seat of hunger
1a2) as seat of mental faculties
1a3) of depth of Sheol (fig.)
1b) womb
בֶּ֫טֶן (be.ten) — belly: hump.
: hump
1) belly, womb, body
1a) belly, abdomen
1a1) as seat of hunger
1a2) as seat of mental faculties
1a3) of depth of Sheol (fig.)
1b) womb
בֶּ֫טֶן (be.ten) — belly: body.
: body
1) belly, womb, body
1a) belly, abdomen
1a1) as seat of hunger
1a2) as seat of mental faculties
1a3) of depth of Sheol (fig.)
1b) womb
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp3ms