CINXE.COM
Job 40:19 He is the foremost of God's works; only his Maker can draw the sword against him.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 40:19 He is the foremost of God's works; only his Maker can draw the sword against him.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/40-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/18_Job_40_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 40:19 - Job Humbles Himself Before the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He is the foremost of God's works; only his Maker can draw the sword against him." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/40-19.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/40-19.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/40.htm">Chapter 40</a> > Verse 19</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad19.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/40-18.htm" title="Job 40:18">◄</a> Job 40:19 <a href="/job/40-20.htm" title="Job 40:20">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/40.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/40.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />It ranks first among the works of God, yet its Maker can approach it with his sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/40.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />It is a prime example of God’s handiwork, and only its Creator can threaten it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/40.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“He is the first of the works of God; let him who made him bring near his sword!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/40.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He is the foremost of God’s works; only his Maker can draw the sword against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/40.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He <i>is</i> the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach <i>unto him</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/40.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He <i>is</i> the first of the ways of God; Only He who made him can bring near His sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/40.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“He is the first of the ways of God; Let his Maker bring His sword near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/40.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“He is the first of the ways of God; Let his maker bring near his sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/40.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“He is the first of the ways of God; Let his maker bring near his sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/40.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“It is the first of the ways of God; Let its Maker bring near its sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/40.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“He is the first [in magnitude and power] of the works of God; [Only] He who made him can bring near His sword [to master him].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/40.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He is the foremost of God’s works; only his Maker can draw the sword against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/40.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He is the foremost of God’s works; only his Maker can draw the sword against him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/40.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He is the chief of the ways of God: He only that made him giveth him his sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/40.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I made it more powerful than any other creature, yet I am stronger still. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/40.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He is the chief of the ways of God: he only that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/40.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Behemoth is the first of God's conquests. Its maker approaches it with his sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/40.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The most amazing of all my creatures! Only his Creator can defeat him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/40.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He is the grandest of God's undertakings, yet his creator is approaching him with his sword. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/40.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He is the foremost of God?s works; only his Maker can draw the sword against him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/40.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />It ranks first among the works of God, the One who made it has furnished it with a sword. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/40.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He is the chief of the ways of God. He who made him gives him his sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/40.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/40.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He is the chief of the ways of God. He who made him gives him his sword. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/40.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />He [is] a beginning of the ways of God, "" His Maker [alone] brings His sword near;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/40.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> He is a beginning of the ways of God, His Maker bringeth nigh his sword;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/40.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He the chief of the ways of God: he making him, his sword will reach.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/40.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He is the beginning of the ways of God, who made him, he will apply his sword. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/40.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 40:14>He is the beginning of the ways of God, who made him; he will use him as his sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/40.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He is the first of God’s ways, only his maker can approach him with a sword. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/40.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“It is the first of the great acts of God— only its Maker can approach it with the sword.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/40.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He is the chief among God's creations; for he made him powerful to fight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/40.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He is the chief of all the creation of God, for he made him that he would make war<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/40.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He is the beginning of the ways of God; He only that made him can make His sword to approach unto him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/40.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />This is the chief of the creation of the Lord; made to be played with by his angels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/40-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=6365" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/40.htm">Job Humbles Himself Before the LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">18</span>His bones are tubes of bronze; his limbs are rods of iron. <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">He</a> <a href="/hebrew/7225.htm" title="7225: rê·šîṯ (N-fs) -- Beginning, chief. From the same as ro'sh; the first, in place, time, order or rank.">is the foremost</a> <a href="/hebrew/410.htm" title="410: ’êl (N-ms) -- God, in pl. gods. Shortened from 'ayil; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty.">of God’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: dar·ḵê- (N-cpc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">works;</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: hā·‘ō·śōw (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc:: 3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">only his Maker</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥar·bōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">can draw the sword</a> <a href="/hebrew/5066.htm" title="5066: yag·gêš (V-Hifil-Imperf.Jus-3ms) -- To draw near, approach. ">against him.</a> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>The hills yield him their produce, while all the beasts of the field play nearby.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-21.htm">Genesis 1:21</a></span><br />So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed according to their kinds, and every winged bird after its kind. And God saw that it was good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-24.htm">Psalm 104:24-26</a></span><br />How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. / Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number, living things both great and small. / There the ships pass, and Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/27-1.htm">Isaiah 27:1</a></span><br />In that day the LORD will take His sharp, great, and mighty sword, and bring judgment on Leviathan the fleeing serpent—Leviathan the coiling serpent—and He will slay the dragon of the sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/74-13.htm">Psalm 74:13-14</a></span><br />You divided the sea by Your strength; You smashed the heads of the dragons of the sea; / You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-9.htm">Isaiah 51:9</a></span><br />Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/29-3.htm">Ezekiel 29:3</a></span><br />Speak to him and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Pharaoh king of Egypt, O great monster who lies among his rivers, who says, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it myself.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-25.htm">Genesis 1:25</a></span><br />God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that crawls upon the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/148-7.htm">Psalm 148:7</a></span><br />Praise the LORD from the earth, all great sea creatures and ocean depths,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-20.htm">Isaiah 43:20</a></span><br />The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/50-10.htm">Psalm 50:10-11</a></span><br />for every beast of the forest is Mine—the cattle on a thousand hills. / I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/7-12.htm">Daniel 7:12</a></span><br />As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was removed, but they were granted an extension of life for a season and a time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/12-9.htm">Revelation 12:9</a></span><br />And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/20-2.htm">Revelation 20:2</a></span><br />He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20</a></span><br />For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16</a></span><br />For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach to him.</p><p class="hdg">the chief</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/26-13.htm">Job 26:13</a></b></br> By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/104-24.htm">Psalm 104:24</a></b></br> O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.</p><p class="hdg">he that</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/7-12.htm">Psalm 7:12</a></b></br> If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/27-1.htm">Isaiah 27:1</a></b></br> In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that <i>is</i> in the sea.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/31-37.htm">Approach</a> <a href="/job/8-7.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/job/29-25.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/job/15-7.htm">First</a> <a href="/job/38-41.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/job/36-3.htm">Maker</a> <a href="/esther/9-20.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/job/36-11.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/23-14.htm">Ranks</a> <a href="/job/39-22.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/job/37-5.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/job/37-16.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/41-13.htm">Approach</a> <a href="/job/42-12.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/psalms/3-8.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/job/41-11.htm">First</a> <a href="/job/40-23.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/psalms/95-6.htm">Maker</a> <a href="/job/41-16.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/psalms/5-4.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-27.htm">Ranks</a> <a href="/job/41-26.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/psalms/5-8.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/psalms/8-6.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Job 40</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/40-1.htm">Job humbles himself to God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/40-6.htm">God stirs him up to show his righteousness, power, and wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/40-16.htm">Of the behemoth</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/40.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/40.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>He is the foremost of God’s works;</b><br>This phrase highlights the creature's preeminence among God's creations, suggesting its grandeur and strength. In the context of Job, this refers to the behemoth, a creature symbolizing God's power and creativity. The term "foremost" indicates a position of prominence, possibly suggesting that the behemoth is a prime example of God's handiwork. This can be seen as a reflection of God's sovereignty and the order of creation, where each creature has its place and purpose. Theologically, it underscores the idea that all creation is under God's dominion, and even the mightiest of creatures are subject to His will.<p><b>only his Maker can draw the sword against him.</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the behemoth's invincibility to human efforts, suggesting that only God, the Creator, has the power to confront or control it. The imagery of "drawing the sword" implies a battle or confrontation, which in this context, signifies divine authority over creation. This can be seen as a reminder of human limitations and the futility of challenging God's established order. It also reflects the broader theme in Job of God's unmatched power and wisdom, which is beyond human understanding. Theologically, it points to the idea that ultimate power and judgment belong to God alone, reinforcing the notion of divine sovereignty.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A righteous man tested by God through immense suffering, whose account is the central focus of the Book of Job.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Creator, who speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, highlighting His sovereignty and the limitations of human understanding.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/behemoth.htm">Behemoth</a></b><br>A creature described in the Book of Job, symbolizing God's power in creation. It is often interpreted as a representation of a large, powerful animal, possibly a hippopotamus or a mythical creature.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_maker.htm">The Maker</a></b><br>Refers to God as the Creator, emphasizing His supreme authority over all creation, including the Behemoth.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sword.htm">The Sword</a></b><br>Symbolizes power and authority, which only God possesses over His creation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_creation.htm">God's Sovereignty in Creation</a></b><br>Recognize that God is the ultimate authority over all creation, including the most powerful creatures.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/human_limitations.htm">Human Limitations</a></b><br>Understand that human power and understanding are limited compared to God's infinite wisdom and might.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_power.htm">Trust in God's Power</a></b><br>Trust that God, as the Creator, has control over all circumstances, even those that seem overwhelming.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_before_god.htm">Humility Before God</a></b><br>Approach God with humility, acknowledging His greatness and our dependence on Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_purpose_in_creation.htm">God's Purpose in Creation</a></b><br>Reflect on the purpose and order in God's creation, which points to His intentional design and care.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_40.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 40</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_include_myths_like_leviathan.htm">Why do biblical texts include myths like the Leviathan and Behemoth?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'behemoth'_mean.htm">What does 'behemoth' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_behemoth_be_a_dinosaur.htm">Job 40:15: If “Behemoth” refers to a dinosaur-like creature, how can this align with mainstream science’s evidence that dinosaurs and humans did not coexist?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/job_32_16-22__later_insertion_clues.htm">Job 32:16-22 - Are there any textual or historical clues suggesting this chapter might be a later insertion, potentially creating inconsistencies within the book?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/40.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) <span class= "bld">He is the chief of the ways of God.</span>--This is surely more applicable to the elephant than the hippopotamus, considering the great intelligence and usefulness of the elephant. The last clause is very obscure. Some render, "He only that made him can bring his sword near unto him;" or, "He that made him hath furnished him with his sword." Others, "He that would dress him (as meat) let him come near him with his sword !" indicating the inequality of the contest. Perhaps a combination of the first and last is best--"Let his Maker (but no one else venture to) approach him with His sword."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/40.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He is the chief of the ways of God</span>. This is the main argument in favour of the elephant, rather than the hippopotamus, being intended (see Schultens, <span class="accented">ad loc</span>.). It has, indeed, been argued that some specimens of the hippopotamus exceed the elephant in height and bulk (Canon Cook, in the 'Speaker's Commentary,' vol. 4. p. 19); but no modern naturalist certainly would place the former animal above the latter in any <span class="accented">catalogue raisonee</span> of animals arranged according to their size and importance. The elephant, however, may not have been known to the author of Job, or, at any rate, the Asiatic species, which seems not to have been imported into Assyria before the middle of the <span class="date">ninth century B.C.</span> In this case, the hippopotamus might well seem to him the grandest of the works of God. <span class="cmt_word">He that made him can make his sword to approach unto him</span>. This is explained to mean, "Only God can attack behemoth with success and slay him; man is powerless to do so" (Canon Cook, Stanley Leathes, Revised Version). But the Egyptians, from very early times, used to attack the hippopotamus and slay him (Wilkinson, in the author's 'Herodotus,' vol. 2, p. 100). It is better, therefore, to translate the passage, with Schultens, "He that made him hath furnished him with his sword," and to understand by "his sword" those sharp teeth with which the hippopotamus is said to "cut the grass as <span class="accented">neatly as if it were mown</span> and to sever, as <span class="accented">if</span> <span class="accented">with shears</span> a tolerably stout and thick stem" (Wood, ' Natural History,' vol. 1. p. 762). Compare the 'Theriaca' of Nicander, 11. 566, 567 - <p><span class="greek">Η ἵππου τὸν Νεῖλος ὑπὲρ Σάι'ν αἰθαλόεσσαν</span><br /><span class="greek">Βόσκει ἀρούρησιν δὲ κακὴν ἐπιβάλλεται ἅρπην</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/40-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">He</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֭וּא</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is the foremost</span><br /><span class="heb">רֵאשִׁ֣ית</span> <span class="translit">(rê·šîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7225.htm">Strong's 7225: </a> </span><span class="str2">The first, in place, time, order, rank</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of God’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_410.htm">Strong's 410: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">works;</span><br /><span class="heb">דַּרְכֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(dar·ḵê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">only his Maker</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֝עֹשׂוֹ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ō·śōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can draw the sword</span><br /><span class="heb">חַרְבּֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥar·bōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against him.</span><br /><span class="heb">יַגֵּ֥שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(yag·gêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5066.htm">Strong's 5066: </a> </span><span class="str2">To draw near, approach</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/40-19.htm">Job 40:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/40-19.htm">Job 40:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/40-19.htm">Job 40:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/40-19.htm">Job 40:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/40-19.htm">Job 40:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/40-19.htm">Job 40:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/40-19.htm">Job 40:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/40-19.htm">Job 40:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/40-19.htm">Job 40:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/40-19.htm">Job 40:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/40-19.htm">OT Poetry: Job 40:19 He is the chief of the ways (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/40-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 40:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 40:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/40-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 40:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 40:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>