Job 41 is the 41st chapter of the Book of Job in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.[1] The book is anonymous; most scholars believe it was written around 6th century BCE. This chapter records the speech of God to Job, which belongs to the "Verdicts" section of the book, comprising –42:6.
The original text is written in Hebrew language. This chapter is divided into 34 verses in English Bibles, but only 26 verses in Hebrew Bible using a different verse numbering (see below).
There are some differences in verse numbering of this chapter in English Bibles and Hebrew texts:[2]
English | Hebrew |
---|---|
41:1–8 | 40:25–32 |
41:9–34 | 41:1–26 |
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes the Aleppo Codex (10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008).
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BC; some extant ancient manuscripts of this version include Codex Vaticanus (B;
ak{G}
ak{G}
ak{G}
The structure of the book is as follows:
Within the structure, chapter 41 is grouped into the Verdict section with the following outline:
God's speeches in chapters 38–41 can be split in two parts, both starting with almost identical phrases and having a similar structure:
First speech | Second speech |
---|---|
A. Introductory formula (38:1) | A1. Introductory formula (40:6) |
B. Thematic challenge (38:2–3) i. Theme A (key verse – verse 2) ii. Summons (verse 3) | B1. Thematic challenge (40:7–14) i. Summons (verse 7) ii. Theme B (key verse – verse 8) iii. Challenge expanded (verses 9–14) |
C, Particularization of theme i. In the physical world (38:4–38) ii. In the animal and bird kingdoms (38:39–39:30) | C1, Particularization of theme i. With Behemoth (40:15–24) ii. With Leviathan (41:1–34) |
D. Brief Challenge to Answer (40:1–2) |
The revelation of the Lord to Job is the culmination of the book of Job, that the Lord speaks directly to Job and displays his sovereign power and glory. Job has lived through the suffering—without cursing God, holding his integrity, and nowhere regretted it – but he was unaware of the real reason for his suffering, so God intervenes to resolve the spiritual issues that surfaced. Job was not punished for sin and Job's suffering had not cut him off from God, now Job sees the end the point that he cannot have the knowledge to make the assessments he made, so it is wiser to bow in submission and adoration of God than to try to judge him.[3]
Chapter 41 continues YHWH's second speech with the focus on the sea creature Leviathan. The chapters consists of two sections:
The section opens with a series of questions to challenge Job to contend with Leviathan, which is quite overpowering for humans. The human challenge against Leviathan is described as futile (verses 8–10a), so the implication is "who can stand before" YHWH who created Leviathan (verse 10b).
[YHWH said:] "Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook,
Or snare his tongue with a line which you lower?"[4]
After an introductory statement (verse 12), God speaks more extensively on the Leviathan: its armor (verses 13–17), fire breathing (verses 18–21), strength (verses 22–25), inability of weapons to defeat it (verses 26–29), the turmoil it creates (verses 30–32) and a general conclusion (verses 33–34). It is out of question for human to control this creature (whether natural or symbolic of the forces of evil and chaos), but it needs to be controlled for the creation to continue and God has the control of it and all the creatures to order the world. Therefore, God's rule is more than Job can imagine and more nuanced that simply rewarding righteousness or punishing wickedness.
[YHWH said:] "In his neck abides strength,
and terror dances before him."[8]
. Michael D. Coogan . The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books: New Revised Standard Version, Issue 48 . Coogan . Michael David . Marc Zvi . Brettler . Carol Ann . Newsom . Pheme . Perkins . Augmented 3rd . Oxford University Press . 2007 . 9780195288810 .
. Henry Hampton Halley. Halley's Bible Handbook: an abbreviated Bible commentary . 24th (revised). Zondervan Publishing House . 1965 . 0-310-25720-4.