Job 40

Job 40:2

ANswer it] if thou hast not any shae in the creation, preservation, and conduct of these creatures, much lesse hast thou any in the higher effects of my providence; namely, in the governing of mankinde, and guiding my children to salvation.

Job 40:8

Wilt thou also disannull] wilt thou undertake to be a superiour judge over me, or to stand against mee in judgement, or to bee mine enemie in action and strength, ver. 9. or to usurp my soveraign command? Try first thy strength with men, verse 11. To try what thou art capable to doe.

Job 40:13

Hide them.] shut them up in thy prisons, like guilty men already condemned, whose faces in ancient times they were wonted to cover, as having no more part in the light, see Esther 7:8 Iob. 9. 14.

Job 40:14

That thine own] that thou art strong enough to maintaine thine owne cause, and that thou haste some shew of reason to withstand mee.

Job 40:15

Behold] to confound thy presumption, I will here make use of two creatures of mine, one of the land, and the other of the sea, to make thee acknowledge through thy weaknesse in regard of them, what thou art able to doe with mee: [with thee] hee is my creature as thou art framed of the same elements and matter; and lives upon the earth as thou dost, and may bee made tame to live amongst men: [He eateth.] of his owne nature hee is not cruell, nor a devourer of flesh; Yet hee will not bee wronged, and is of so great strength that no man dares assault him.

Job 40:16

In the navell] which is as the center of the body of living creatures, through which the chiefe vesse is of the veines and arteries doe passe and meet.

Job 40:17

Hee moveth] the Italian, Lee setteth up, or stirreh it and windeth it about. Others when hee will his taile is like a cedar: [is taile] there being no such greatnesse, nor no such motion in an Elephants taile as is here set down: it seemeth that by the taile is meant his trunk, of which all these things may very properly be spoken: [the sinnews] this is also another of the Elephants propertie, whose testicls are hidden and stic to his belly, fastened there by certaine sinnews and ligaments, and doe not hang as other beasts testicles doe.

Job 40:19

The chiefe] the greatest and strongest, and most understanding of all earthly irrationall creatures: [hee that made him] God alone can overcome him with strength, men (and they in great number) only by art and cunning.

Job 40:20

Surely the] hee livet not upon preying but hee lives by hearbs, and fruits, and doth not affright other beasts.

Job 40:21

Hee lieth] by reason that hee delights in rivers, and water sides, to wash and refresh himslfe

Job 40:23

Drinketh up] the Italian, hee forceth a river, by his greatnesse and strengih he can stay the course of a river. Hyperbolicall termes.

Job 40:24

With his eyes] the Italian, will any take him in his sight? by open strength and not by wiles: [his nose pierceth through snares] the Italian hath it, will any bear his nose to put in snares? this is also spoken according to the nature of this beast, which though it be apt enough to bee tamed and taught, yet it will endure no halter, bridle, bit, nor ring in his nose, as other beasts have.