Job 41:27
He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.
Original Language Analysis
יַחְשֹׁ֣ב
He esteemeth
H2803
יַחְשֹׁ֣ב
He esteemeth
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
לְתֶ֣בֶן
as straw
H8401
לְתֶ֣בֶן
as straw
Strong's:
H8401
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, material, i.e., (specifically) refuse haum or stalks of grain (as chopped in threshing and used for fodder)
Historical Context
Iron Age technology revolutionized ancient warfare and agriculture, making iron symbolize ultimate human strength and progress. Bronze had previously held that status. God's description of Leviathan treating these metals as straw and rotten wood would have shocked ancient hearers by relativizing their greatest technological achievements.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'iron' strengths or 'brass' securities do you rely on that are actually as weak as straw before spiritual realities?
- How does recognizing the limits of human strength drive you to depend on God's power?
- In what ways has God used your weakness to accomplish what your strength could not?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God describes Leviathan's contempt for human weapons. 'Esteemeth iron as straw' (yachshob ke-teben barzel, יַחְשֹׁב כְּתֶבֶן בַּרְזֶל) means it considers the strongest metal as worthless plant matter. 'Brass as rotten wood' (ets riqqabon nechushah, עֵץ רִקָּבוֹן נְחֻשָׁה) compares another durable metal to decayed, useless timber. Both iron and brass/bronze represented the pinnacle of ancient military technology and strength. Leviathan's indifference to them reveals the futility of human might against divinely ordained forces. This verse teaches that human strength, technology, and weaponry are ultimately powerless against spiritual enemies—we need divine armor (Ephesians 6:10-17). It also illustrates God's transcendent power—what overwhelms humanity is trivial to Him. The verse prepares for the New Testament truth that God uses the weak to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27).