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Book of Job - Chapter 41 - Verse 2

41:2
Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?

Meaning

This verse is part of a passage in the book of Job where God is questioning Job about his understanding and power compared to God's own. The imagery in this specific verse is meant to convey God's sovereignty and power over all creatures, including the mighty sea creature Leviathan. The mention of putting a hook in its nose or boring its jaw through with a thorn suggests the impossibility of controlling such a creature for any human being. It highlights the fact that God alone has the power and authority to command and control even the most fearsome and untamable creatures in the world. This verse serves as a reminder to Job, and to all readers of the Bible, of God's immense power, wisdom, and sovereignty over all creation. It emphasizes the limitations of human understanding and control in comparison to the vastness and greatness of God's power.

Theological Overview

When examining the theological interpretation of the verse "Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?" from the book of Job, it is important to understand the context in which this question is being posed. In this verse, God is using vivid imagery to describe the power and strength of the creature known as Leviathan. The phrase "put a hook into his nose" is a metaphorical way of illustrating how impossible it would be for a human to control or tame this formidable beast. Similarly, the idea of "boring his jaw through with a thorn" conveys the idea of how insignificant and futile human efforts would be against such a mighty creature. This verse serves to emphasize the sovereignty and majesty of God, highlighting His powerful and unmatchable creations. It reminds us of our limitations as humans in the face of God's extraordinary and transcendent creations, and calls us to humble ourselves before His greatness.

American Standard Version

Canst thou put a rope into his nose? Or pierce his jaw through with a hook?
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