Job 40 17

Job 40:17

ESV: He makes his tail stiff like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together.

KJV: He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.

NIV: Its tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.

NKJV: He moves his tail like a cedar; The sinews of his thighs are tightly knit.

NLT: Its tail is as strong as a cedar.
The sinews of its thighs are knit tightly together.

Meaning

Job 40:17 vividly describes Behemoth, a creature presented by God as a testament to His unsearchable power in creation. The verse emphasizes Behemoth's immense physical strength and solidity, highlighting its unyielding tail, compared to the sturdy cedar tree, and the densely packed, powerful musculature of its hindquarters. This imagery serves to demonstrate Behemoth's physical invincibility from a human perspective, underscoring God's ultimate creative and sovereign might.

Cross References

Context

Job 40:17 is part of a series of divine speeches from God to Job, spanning chapters 38-41. These speeches aim to humble Job by demonstrating God's incomparable power, wisdom, and sovereign control over creation, in contrast to Job's limited understanding and strength. God introduces two powerful creatures, Behemoth (Job 40:15-24) and Leviathan (Job 41), as prime examples of His creative mastery. Behemoth, described in verse 17, is depicted with features indicating massive size, unassailable strength, and indomitable will, reinforcing the point that if Job cannot even subdue this one creature, how much less can he contend with its Creator? The verse thus serves to diminish Job's human presumption and magnify the awe-inspiring greatness of God, urging Job to trust in the divine governance rather than question it.

Word analysis

• He stiffens (וַיַּחְפֹּץ – vayyaḥpōṭz): The Hebrew root חפץ (ḥāpēṣ) typically means "to delight in" or "to desire." However, in this unique Hiphil verb form and specific context, scholars understand it to mean "to bend," "to stiffen," "to make firm," or "to extend proudly." It suggests a deliberate action of making the tail rigid and imposing, emphasizing Behemoth's formidable nature. This active choice indicates not just passive size, but an inherent, formidable power.
• his tail (זְנָבוֹ – zənavō): This refers to the actual caudal appendage of the creature. For large terrestrial animals, the tail can be a significant instrument for balance, display, or even defense. Its comparison to a cedar suggests extraordinary proportions and solidity.
• like a cedar (כְאֶרֶז – kaʾerez): The Hebrew word אֶרֶז (ʾerez) refers to the majestic cedar of Lebanon, renowned throughout the ancient Near East for its immense size, towering height, sturdy trunk, durability, and resistance to decay. It was a prized wood for building temples and palaces, symbolizing strength, dignity, longevity, and stability (e.g., 1 Kgs 5:6; Ps 92:12). Comparing Behemoth's tail to a cedar implies not only its immense size and strength but also its rigid, unbending quality.
• his sinews of his thighs (פַּחֲדָיו – paḥadāw): This Hebrew term is notably difficult. Literally, פַּחַד (paḥad) means "fear" or "dread." In this plural possessive form (paḥadāw - "his fears/dreads"), its anatomical interpretation is debated. Some translations interpret it as the muscles or sinews of the loins/thighs/abdominal region, perhaps because this powerful area of the animal might evoke "dread" or is itself associated with mighty, awe-inspiring strength. Other ancient translations and commentaries understand it euphemistically as the testicles ("stones"), representing the generative strength and power of the animal. Regardless of the precise anatomical location, the context unequivocally points to an extremely dense, powerful, and unyielding part of the creature's core, vital for its strength and stability. It speaks to the absolute solidity of Behemoth's underlying structure.
• are knit together (יִתְקַשָּׂחוּ – yitqaššāḥu): This verb means "to be bound together," "to be compacted," "to be hardened," or "to be stiff." It's a Hithpael form, suggesting an intrinsic state of being interwoven and unyielding. It describes the absolute solidarity and unbreakability of Behemoth's muscles and structural components, especially in its lower body, making it an unmovable force.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• He stiffens his tail like a cedar: This phrase depicts the massive, immovable power of Behemoth's tail. The verb "stiffens" emphasizes a deliberate exertion of power. The "tail" is not a weak point but a weapon or an emblem of strength. The comparison to the "cedar" highlights not just size but also an unyielding rigidity and grandeur, like a great tree planted firmly. This portrays an unchallengeable physical presence.
• the sinews of his thighs are knit together: This describes the profound muscular density and structural integrity of Behemoth's core and lower body. The ambiguity of paḥadāw does not diminish the overall emphasis on the creature's colossal strength. "Knit together" conveys a woven, dense, and indestructible quality, indicating that this creature's very physiology is designed for maximal power and resilience, rendering it impenetrable and formidable. It's a foundational strength, making the creature an immovable object.

Commentary

Job 40:17 is a divine statement, not a human observation. God, as the Creator, offers an unparalleled anatomical detail of Behemoth to Job. The description moves beyond mere size, focusing on structural integrity and immense, inherent power. The tail's cedar-like rigidity and the 'knit together' musculature of its core exemplify Behemoth as a masterpiece of divine strength. This particular creature, described in such terms, functions as an object lesson for Job. God highlights features of Behemoth that humans cannot replicate, control, or even fully comprehend, thereby re-centering Job's focus on God's omnipotence and the incomprehensibility of His ways. It serves to underscore the theological truth that if God's creation is so formidable, how much more majestic and unconquerable is the Creator Himself. The practical implication is to foster awe, humility, and trust in the sovereign wisdom of God, especially when faced with life's incomprehensible trials.

Bonus section

The debate regarding the identity of Behemoth (a hippopotamus, an elephant, or a mythical creature) does not diminish the theological impact of Job 40:17. Whether literal or symbolic, Behemoth functions as a creature embodying a degree of power that exceeds human capacity to control or contend with. The use of specific, if somewhat enigmatic, anatomical details reinforces the idea of God's intimate knowledge and meticulous design of even His most formidable creations. This passage demonstrates God revealing specific facts about a creature only He fully understands, challenging Job's wisdom by presenting details only the Creator could know, thereby highlighting Job's utter dependency on God for knowledge and strength.

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