Job 41:13
Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle?
Original Language Analysis
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 8
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
גִ֭לָּה
Who can discover
H1540
גִ֭לָּה
Who can discover
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
2 of 8
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
פְּנֵ֣י
the face
H6440
פְּנֵ֣י
the face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 8
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לְבוּשׁ֑וֹ
of his garment
H3830
לְבוּשׁ֑וֹ
of his garment
Strong's:
H3830
Word #:
4 of 8
a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife
Historical Context
Ancient peoples used bridles to control horses and strips of armor for protection. Leviathan's immunity to such methods taught that God reserves certain dominions exclusively for Himself. This humbled human pride while assuring divine control over all threatening forces.
Questions for Reflection
- What "bridles" are you attempting to put on situations that God intends to remain beyond your control?
- How does releasing need to control everything free you for appropriate stewardship of what God has given you?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle?" Leviathan's outer covering (pney levusho, פְּנֵי לְבוּשׁוֹ, "face of his garment"—likely scales or hide) cannot be stripped. Double bridle (resen kephel, רֶסֶן כֶּפֶל) suggests futility of controlling it like a horse. Every attempt at mastery fails. This teaches that God designed certain creatures and forces to remain beyond human dominion, preserving His exclusive sovereignty. Accepting such limits is wisdom, not defeat.