Job 41:6
Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?
Original Language Analysis
יִכְר֣וּ
H3738
יִכְר֣וּ
Strong's:
H3738
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, to dig; figuratively, to plot; generally, to bore or open
עָ֭לָיו
H5921
עָ֭לָיו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 6
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Historical Context
Ancient fishing was commercial enterprise; fishermen cooperated to catch and market fish. Leviathan's immunity to such enterprise taught that God preserves aspects of creation beyond human economic systems. This challenged materialistic thinking that reduces all value to commercial terms.
Questions for Reflection
- What non-commodifiable realities does modern culture try to reduce to market value?
- How does recognizing certain things as beyond price shape your values and priorities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?" Can fishermen cooperatively catch and sell Leviathan for commercial profit? The Hebrew chaberim (חֲבָרִים, "companions/trading partners") and kenanim (כְּנַעֲנִים, "merchants/traders") suggests business enterprise. Leviathan resists commodification. God created certain things that cannot be bought, sold, or reduced to commercial value. This teaches that not everything should be subject to market forces; some realities transcend economic calculation.