Job 41:20 — Word Study
WLCמִ֭נְּחִירָיו יֵצֵ֣א עָשָׁ֑ן כְּד֖וּד נָפ֣וּחַ וְאַגְמֹֽן׃
BSAnotlôʼ to fleebârach sonbên bowqesheth stubbleqash to overturnhâphak stoneʼeben slingqelaʻ
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מִ֭נְּחִירָיו | from nostrils its | Preposition, noun common masculine dual construct, suffix |
| יֵצֵ֣א | it goes forth | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| עָשָׁ֑ן | smoke | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| כְּד֖וּד | like a pot | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| נָפ֣וּחַ | blown upon | Verb, Qal, participle (passive) masculine singular |
| וְאַגְמֹֽן׃ | and bulrush[es] | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Smoke billows from his nostrils as from a boiling pot over burning reeds. |
| KJV | Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. |
| ASV | Out of his nostrils a smoke goeth, As of a boiling pot and burning rushes. |
| YLT | Out of his nostrils goeth forth smoke, As a blown pot and reeds. |
| WEB | Out of his nostrils a smoke goes, as of a boiling pot over a fire of reeds. |
| BBE | Smoke comes out of his nose, like a pot boiling on the fire. |
All translations agree on the imagery of smoke coming from the nostrils, with variations in phrasing.
The structure consists of a main clause with additional prepositional phrases that provide vivid comparisons and context.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectקֶשֶׁת
verbבֵּן
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 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 41:20
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 — The Description of Leviathangenerated
Job 41:20 is part of a poetic section where God describes the Leviathan, a powerful and fearsome creature, to Job. This description emphasizes the creature's might and the awe it inspires, illustrating the theme of God's creation and control over the natural world. The surrounding verses highlight the Leviathan's ferocity and strength, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of God's power.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 1:13–14 | Again the word of the LORD came to me, asking, “What do you see?” “I see a boiling pot,” I replied, “and it is tilting toward us from the north.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מִ֭נְּחִירָיו, Mi.ne.chi.ravgenerated
The word נָחִיר (nchiyr) means 'nostril' and is in the dual form, indicating both nostrils. It refers to the physical openings of the nose, often used in contexts describing breathing or the act of exhaling.
In this verse, the dual form emphasizes the powerful exhalation from the creature's nostrils, contributing to the imagery of smoke billowing forth, akin to steam from a boiling pot. This evokes a sense of intensity and danger.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the imagery of smoke coming from the nostrils, with variations in the phrasing of the surrounding elements.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יֵצֵ֣א (ye.Tze') governs the entire clause, indicating that smoke goes forth from the subject עָשָׁ֑ן ('a.Shan), which means 'smoke'. This structure highlights the action of the smoke being emitted.
The sentence structure emphasizes the relationship between the subject and the action, with the prepositional phrases providing additional context about the source of the smoke and its comparison to a boiling pot.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates the Hebrew word מִ֭נְּחִירָיו as αὐτὸν (auton), which means 'him'. This choice narrows the focus to the creature itself, emphasizing its powerful presence.
This translation choice highlights the direct connection between the smoke and the Leviathan, reinforcing the imagery of its fearsome nature.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 41:20 describes how smoke comes from the nostrils of the Leviathan, likening it to steam from a boiling pot. This imagery conveys the creature's power and the fear it inspires.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The smoke symbolizes the power and ferocity of the Leviathan, illustrating its overwhelming nature.
The vivid imagery emphasizes God's creative power and the awe-inspiring aspects of His creation.
This verse highlights the theme of God's sovereignty over creation, reminding Job of his place in the grand design.
We learn about the majesty and power of God's creations, and the importance of recognizing His authority over all things.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How does the imagery of smoke enhance your understanding of the Leviathan's nature?
- In what ways do you see God's power reflected in the natural world around you?
- What does this description teach you about humility in the face of God's creation?
- How can you apply the lessons from Job's experience to your own life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Gregory the Dialogist comments on the imagery of smoke coming from the Leviathan's nostrils, emphasizing its fearsome nature.
Out of his nostrils goeth smoke. As of a heated and boiling pot. 61. For the sight of the eyes is pained by smoke. Smoke is therefore said to go out of his nostrils;Early Church Fathers on Job 41 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 41:20 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleOut of his nostrils goeth forth smoke, as [out] of a seething pot or caldron. In which flesh or anything else is boiling.
Read John Gill on Job 41 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryOut of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. Seething - boiling: literally, blow under, a pot under which a fire is blown [ duwd (H1732) naapuwach (H5301)].
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 41 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHeb. pool. So a great caldron is called, because it sends forth a great smoke, as a pool doth vapours; as in like manner the great brazen laver in the temple is called a sea, for the great quantity of water which it held.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 41 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 41:20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as [out] of a seething pot or caldron.Ver. 20. Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, &c.] While his meat heateth in his stomach for concoction; as if fire were put under some great reeking pot or caldron boiling; Heb. blown ( sufflati); for from blowing comes boiling.
Read John Trapp on Job 41 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(20) Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.—The last word is uncertain: it is the same as was rendered in the Authorised Version “hook” at Job 41:2; and taking the same sense here, we may render, as of a seething pot and rushes: i.e., a pot made hot with rushes.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 41 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges20. as out of a seething pot or caldron] Rather perhaps, like a seething pot with rushes, i. e. with a fire of rushes.
Read Cambridge on Job 41 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleOut of his nostrils goeth smoke - See the quotations on Job 41:19. This appearance of the crocodile, or alligator, has been often noticed. Bertram, in his “Travels in North and South Carolina,” p.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 41 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible20. A… caldron — Thus Hitzig, Delitzsch, etc. The same word, agmon, appears in the second verse, and is here correspondingly read by some, kindled reeds. See note on Job 40:21.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 41 →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
Smoke billows from his nostrils as from a boiling pot over burning reeds.
Out of his nostrils a smoke goes, as of a boiling pot over a fire of reeds.
Smoke billows from his nostrils as from a boiling pot over burning reeds.
Smoke streams from its nostrils as from a boiling pot over burning rushes.
Tyndale line
Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
Out of his nostrils a smoke goeth, As of a boiling pot and burning rushes.
Out of his nostrils a smoke goeth, as of a seething pot and burning rushes.
Out of his nostrils issueth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
The dartes are counted as strawe: and hee laugheth at the shaking of the speare.
Strictly literal
Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a boiling pot and cauldron.
Out of his nostrils goeth forth smoke, As a blown pot and reeds.
Smoke goes forth out of his nostrils, || As a blown pot and reeds.
(41:12) Out of his nostrils cometh forth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
Out of his nostrils goes smoke like a boiling pot on a fire that has been fanned to be very hot.
From the Latin
As stubble will he esteem the hammer, and he will laugh him to scorn who shaketh the spear.
Simplified
Smoke comes from its nostrils, like steam from a kettle on a fire made of reeds.
Smoke comes out of his nose, like a pot boiling on the fire.
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 share similarities in the description of the Leviathan, though the Septuagint does not preserve the exact wording of the Hebrew. The correspondence shows a consistent understanding of the creature's fearsome attributes.
מִ֭נְּחִירָיו יֵצֵ֣א עָשָׁ֑ן כְּד֖וּד נָפ֣וּחַ וְאַגְמֹֽן׃
3 of the 6 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 41:20
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.
נָחִיר (nchiyr) means 'nostril' and is noted to appear in the dual form. The entries indicate that it is derived from a related word, but they do not provide further details on its usage beyond its mention in Job 41:12.
[נָחִיר] n.[m.] nostril;—only du. sf. Jb 41:12
ref
H5156 נָחִיר, נְחִיר
5156 nchiyr nekh-eer'
from the same as 5170; a nostril:--(dual) nostrils.
see HEBREW for 05170
נָחִיר (ne.chir) — nostril.
nostril
HR/Ncmdc/Sp3ms — Preposition · noun common masculine dual construct · suffixHR/Ncmdc/Sp3ms
יָצָא (yatsa') is a Hebrew verb meaning to go or come out, with various applications including departure, escape, and emergence. It can refer to both animate and inanimate subjects and emphasizes the idea of origin or source. The verb appears in different forms, such as Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, indicating actions like leading out or being brought forth.
יָצָא 1068 vb. go or come out
Qal
go or come out or forth
from (מִן) a place
go forth from (the presence of) a person
in technical senses
of flight, involving escape
depart
of inanimate things
with especial emphasis on idea of origin, source
of children as going forth from loins (of father)
go forth to a place
go forward, proceed to or toward something
come or go forth, with esp. ref. to purpose or result
of combinations
Hiph.
cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out
fig. obj. persons, bring out of (מִן) distress, etc.
bring out animals
inanimate obj.
fig. subj. י׳, bring forth from (מִן)
Hoph. be brought forth
base
H3318 יָצָא go or come out .. go or come out or forth . from (מִן) a place
. go forth from (the presence of) a person
. in technical senses
. of flight, involving escape
. depart
. of inanimate things
. with especial emphasis on idea of origin, source
. of children as going forth from loins (of father)
. . go forth to a place
. go forward, proceed to or toward something
. come or go forth, with esp. ref. to purpose or result
. of combinations
. . cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out
. fig. obj. persons, bring out of (מִן) distress, etc.
. bring out animals
. inanimate obj.
. fig. subj. י׳, bring forth from (מִן)
. be brought forth
3318 yatsa' yaw-tsaw'
a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great
variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct
and proxim.:--X after, appear, X assuredly, bear out, X
begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come
(abroad, out, thereat, without), + be condemned,
depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact,
fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence,
out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out),
going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out,
lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, X
scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring
out, stand out, X still, X surely, take forth (out), at any
time, X to (and fro), utter.
יָצָא (ya.tsa) — to come out: come.
: come/go_out/escape
1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart
1a2) to go forth (to a place)
1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something)
1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result)
1a5) to come out of
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out
1b2) to bring out of
1b3) to lead out
1b4) to deliver
1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
יָצָא (ya.tsa) — to come out: send.
: send/take_out/release
1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart
1a2) to go forth (to a place)
1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something)
1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result)
1a5) to come out of
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out
1b2) to bring out of
1b3) to lead out
1b4) to deliver
HVqi3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
forth: "Forth," adverb (from "for"), signifies movement
(1) forward,
(2) out of,
(3) beyond a certain boundary.
In a few instances in the Old Testament it is the translation of the preposition `al, properly "above," "upon" (2Ki 11:15; 2Ch 23:14; Am 7:17 the King James Version), and of chuts, "without" (Ge 39:13; Jud 19:25). "Forth" is often used as an expletive of various verbs, as "break (forth)," "bring (forth)," "call (forth)," etc. In the Gospel of John it is the translation of exo, "without," as "Lazarus, come forth" (11:43; so 15:6; 19:4 the King James Version…
עָשָׁן (ashan) means smoke, and can refer to both literal smoke and metaphorical uses, such as vapor or anger. It is derived from the root word for 'to smoke' and is used in various contexts in the Old Testament.
H6227 עָשָׁן smoke
6227 `ashan aw-shawn'
from 6225; smoke, literally or figuratively (vapor, dust,
anger):--smoke(-ing).
see HEBREW for 06225
עָשָׁן (a.shan) — smoke.
1) smoke
1a) smoke
1b) in metaphor, simile
1c) smoke (fig.)
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
דּוּד (dud) refers to a pot or jar, with additional meanings including kettle and basket. It is derived from a related term and emphasizes receptacles used for carrying. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, but do not provide specific Old Testament references.
דּוּד n.m. pot, jar
pot, kettle
receptacle for carrying, all Vrss basket
base
H1731 דּוּד pot, jar . pot, kettle
. receptacle for carrying, all Vrss basket
1731 duwd dood
from the same as 1730; a pot (for boiling); also (by
resemblance of shape) a basket:--basket, caldron, kettle,
(seething) pot.
see HEBREW for 01730
דּוּד (dud) — pot.
1) pot, jar, basket, kettle
1a) pot, kettle
1b) basket, jar
HR/Ncmsa — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
pot: A term used as the translation of a number of Hebrew and Greek words whose fundamental meaning seems to describe them as intended for the most part to hold liquid or semi-liquid substances, but the pots of Ex 27:3 are intended to hold ashes.
(1) cir, the most common word for "pot." It designates most frequently some household utensil, probably a pot or kettle for boiling. So 2Ki 4:38 ff; Ex 16:3; Jer 1:13 the King James Version; Eze 11:3,7,11, "caldron"; 24:3,6 the King James Version; Mic 3:3; Zec 14:21, etc. It…
The term "pot" is applicable to so many sorts of vessels that it can scarcely be restricted to any one in particular. Asuc (2 Kings 4:2) the earthen jar, deep and narrow, without handles, probably like the Roman and Egyptian amphora, inserted in a stand of wood or stone. Cheres , an earthen vessel for stewing or seething. (Leviticus 6:28; Ezekiel 4:9) Dud , a vessel for culinary purposes, perhaps of smaller size. (1 Samuel 2:14) The "pots" set before the Rachabites, (Jeremiah 35:5) were probably bulging jars or bowls. The water-pots of Cana appear to have been large amphorae, such as are in use at the present day in Syria.…
נָפַח (naphach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to breathe or blow. It encompasses a range of actions including inflating, scattering, and even causing life to expire. The word can be used in various forms, such as Qal (to breathe), Pual (to be blown), and Hiphil (to cause to breathe out). The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
[נָפַח] vb. breathe, blow
Qal breathe, blow
Pu. a fire not blown
Hiph. (or if) the life of its (the land’s) owners I have caused them to breathe out
base
H5301 נָפַח breathe, blow
5301 naphach naw-fakh'
a primitive root; to puff, in various applications
(literally, to inflate, blow hard, scatter, kindle, expire;
figuratively, to disesteem):--blow, breath, give up, cause to
lose (life), seething, snuff.
נָפַח (na.phach) — to breathe.
1) to breathe, blow, sniff at, seethe, give up or lose (life)
1a) (Qal) to breathe, blow
1b) (Pual) to be blown
1c) (Hiphil) to cause to breathe out
HVqsmsa — Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine singularHVqsmsa
אַגְמֹן (agmown) refers to a type of rush or bulrush, often associated with marshy areas. It can also denote a cord made from these plants. Metaphorically, it describes something lowly or insignificant, as well as drooping or bowing, reflecting humility. The word is linked to the concept of insignificance in various contexts.
אַגְמֹן, אַגְמוֹן n.[m.] rush, bulrush
used as cord or line
metaph. of the lowly, insignif.
base
H100 אַגְמֹן, אַגְמוֹן rush, bulrush
100 'agmown ag-mone'
from the same as 98; a marshy pool (others from a different
root, a kettle); by implication a rush (as growing there);
collectively a rope of rushes:--bulrush, caldron, hook, rush.
see HEBREW for 098
אַגְמֹן (ag.mon) — bulrush.
1) rush, bulrush
1a) used as cord or line (of twisted rushes or spun of rush fibre)
1b) of the lowly, insignificant (metaph)
2) sad, drooping
1a) of line of bulrushes
1b) bowing of the head (fig.)
1c) of the lowly (metaph)
HC/Ncmsa — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa