Job 41:14
Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.
Original Language Analysis
פָ֭נָיו
of his face
H6440
פָ֭נָיו
of his face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
2 of 7
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
מִ֣י
H4310
מִ֣י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
3 of 7
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
פִתֵּ֑חַ
Who can open
H6605
פִתֵּ֑חַ
Who can open
Strong's:
H6605
Word #:
4 of 7
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
סְבִיב֖וֹת
round about
H5439
סְבִיב֖וֹת
round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
5 of 7
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
Historical Context
Ancient hunters and warriors sometimes needed to approach dangerous animals' mouths to kill or capture them. Leviathan's "doors" remain permanently closed to human approach. This taught that certain boundaries must not be crossed, certain powers must not be challenged—humility requires respecting such limits.
Questions for Reflection
- What boundaries has God established that wisdom requires respecting rather than transgressing?
- How does healthy fear of overwhelming realities produce safety rather than paralysis?
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Analysis & Commentary
"Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about." Leviathan's jaws ("doors of his face") and terrifying teeth (emah, אֵימָה, "terror/dread") emphasize deadly danger. Opening its mouth would be fatal. This demonstrates that intimate encounter with overwhelming power destroys the presumptuous. This teaches that some aspects of divine sovereignty and natural power must be approached with appropriate fear and distance, not casual familiarity.