Book of Job - Chapter 39 - Verse 20

In this verse, the speaker is asking a rhetorical question to illustrate the power and majesty of a fearsome creature. The comparison drawn between the creature and a grasshopper underscores how insignificant and powerless humans can be in the face of a truly mighty being. The phrase "the glory of his nostrils is terrible" further emphasizes the awe-inspiring nature of this creature. It suggests that even the seemingly ordinary features of this being are endowed with a sense of awe and dread. This verse serves as a reminder of the vastness of the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it, highlighting the great diversity and power that exists beyond human understanding.

From a theological standpoint, this verse from the book of Job highlights the incomparable power and majesty of God. The question posed here is rhetorical, emphasizing that no human can instill fear in God like one would in a grasshopper. The phrase "the glory of his nostrils is terrible" denotes the awe-inspiring nature of God's very essence. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the nostrils were seen as the seat of anger and power, so the mention of God's nostrils being fearsome underscores His sovereignty and authority. This verse serves to remind readers of God's transcendence and unmatched greatness, evoking a sense of reverence and humility. In terms of word studies, "grasshopper" in Hebrew translates to "sal'am" which signifies a small and insignificant creature compared to the Almighty. "Terrible" can be translated from the Hebrew as "awe-inspiring" or "awe-striking", further emphasizing the fear-inducing majesty of God.