Job 41:34
He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
Original Language Analysis
אֵֽת
H853
אֵֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִרְאֶ֑ה
He beholdeth
H7200
יִרְאֶ֑ה
He beholdeth
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
4 of 10
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
ה֝֗וּא
H1931
ה֝֗וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
5 of 10
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Ezekiel 29:3Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself.Psalms 73:6Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.Job 26:12He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.Job 28:8The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it.
Historical Context
In ancient Near Eastern thought, chaos monsters represented the forces of disorder that gods battled to establish cosmic order. God's description of Leviathan as king over the proud establishes a hierarchy: proud humans are subject to chaos, which is subject to God. This refutes pagan theology where gods and chaos struggle as equals, affirming instead God's absolute sovereignty.
Questions for Reflection
- What areas of pride in your life make you a 'child of pride' subject to destructive forces beyond your control?
- How does recognizing both your limitations and God's sovereignty produce the humility God desires?
- In what specific ways is God calling you to repent of pride and trust His governance as Job finally does in chapter 42?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's discourse on Leviathan concludes with this devastating summary. 'He beholdeth all high things' (et-kol-gavoha yir'eh, אֵת־כָּל־גָּבֹהַּ יִרְאֶה) means Leviathan looks down on everything lofty or proud—nothing surpasses it in the created order. 'He is a king over all the children of pride' (hu melekh al-kol-benei-shachat, הוּא מֶלֶךְ עַל־כָּל־בְּנֵי־שָׁחַץ) establishes the creature's sovereignty over the proud. The 'children of pride' can refer both to other proud creatures and to proud humans. This verse reveals pride's ultimate futility—even the most arrogant humans are subjects of Leviathan, who represents forces beyond human control. Yet the passage's purpose is to reveal that God controls even Leviathan. Therefore, human pride is doubly foolish: we're inferior to Leviathan, who is inferior to God. The verse culminates God's answer to Job: cease from pride, acknowledge your position, and trust divine governance. It anticipates James 4:6, 'God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.'