Job 41:2
Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
Original Language Analysis
הֲתָשִׂ֣ים
Canst thou put
H7760
הֲתָשִׂ֣ים
Canst thou put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 6
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אַגְמֹ֣ן
an hook
H100
אַגְמֹ֣ן
an hook
Strong's:
H100
Word #:
2 of 6
a rush (as growing there); collectively a rope of rushes
בְּאַפּ֑וֹ
into his nose
H639
בְּאַפּ֑וֹ
into his nose
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
3 of 6
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וּ֝בְח֗וֹחַ
through with a thorn
H2336
וּ֝בְח֗וֹחַ
through with a thorn
Strong's:
H2336
Word #:
4 of 6
a thorn; by analogy, a ring for the nose
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern mythology featured Leviathan or similar sea monsters representing primordial chaos (Ugaritic Lotan, Babylonian Tiamat). Unlike pagan myths where gods struggled against such forces, Yahweh presents Himself as effortlessly sovereign over Leviathan. This distinguished biblical faith—God faces no threatening rivals.
Questions for Reflection
- What "leviathans" in your life—overwhelming chaotic forces—must you entrust to God's control?
- How does God's effortless sovereignty over chaos encourage trust amid life's storms?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?" God asks if Job can capture Leviathan using fishing methods—hook in nose or thorn through jaw. The Hebrew chach (חָח, "hook/ring") and choach (חוֹחַ, "thorn/hook") suggest futility of human techniques. Leviathan, whether representing crocodile, whale, or symbolic chaos-creature, remains beyond human control. This teaches that God alone governs forces that overwhelm human capacity. Recognizing what we cannot control should produce humble trust in God who can.