Lexical Summary nachir: Foreign, strange, unfamiliar Original Word: נְחִיר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dual nostrils From the same as nachar; a nostril -- (dual) nostrils. see HEBREW nachar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as nachar Definition a nostril NASB Translation nostrils (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [נָחִיר noun [masculine] nostril (apparently from above √, and not connected with Arabic  stab camel in wind-pipe, etc., Aramaic נְחַר kill by stabbing, in nose or throat, compare Late Hebrew נָחַר perforate, kill by stabbing, so that נָחִיר would = perforation, and נחר snort would be denominative); — only dual sf מִנְּחִירָיו יֵצֵא עָשָׁן Job 41:12 (of crocodile). Topical Lexicon Canonical Occurrence The noun נְחִיר (nichír) appears once in the Old Testament, at Job 41:20, within the extended divine description of Leviathan. There the reads, “Out of his nostrils comes forth smoke, as from a boiling pot over burning reeds.” In a book that wrestles with the mystery of suffering and the greatness of God, the term highlights an anatomical feature that becomes a vehicle for awe-inspiring imagery. Literary and Theological Context Job 41 forms part of YHWH’s second speech (Job 40–41), where the Almighty silences Job not by answering every question but by unveiling His incomparable power over creation. Leviathan personifies an untamable creature of the deep; its smoking nostrils encapsulate ferocity that only the Creator can restrain (Job 41:1–11). By drawing attention to Leviathan’s “nostrils,” Scripture reinforces the contrast between human frailty and divine sovereignty. The image evokes the smoldering vent of a living furnace, underscoring that even the most intimidating forces in the cosmos remain subject to God’s word. Symbolism of Smoke and Breath Issuing from Nostrils 1. Power and Wrath: Throughout the Old Testament, smoke from nostrils conveys potent force or anger. David sings, “Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth” (Psalm 18:8). In Job 41, the same picture is transferred to the creature, indirectly magnifying the Creator who fashioned such power. Comparative Old Testament Imagery • Exodus 15:8 – “At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up,” portraying salvation and judgment in the Red Sea event. By situating Leviathan’s nostrils among such passages, Job 41 accentuates that all overwhelming forces—natural or supernatural—operate under the same divine prerogative that parts seas and topples armies. Doctrinal and Devotional Implications 1. Sovereignty: The mention of נְחִיר contributes to Job’s growing realization that the God who governs Leviathan’s every breath is worthy of reverent trust even amid unexplained suffering (Job 42:1–6). Preaching and Teaching Pathways • The verse can serve as an illustration of how God reveals His majesty through vivid, even terrifying, aspects of creation. Related Topics Breath of God; Leviathan; Divine Sovereignty; Imagery of Smoke in Scripture; Theodicy in Job. Forms and Transliterations מִ֭נְּחִירָיו מנחיריו min·nə·ḥî·rāw Minnechirav minnəḥîrāwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 41:20 HEB: מִ֭נְּחִירָיו יֵצֵ֣א עָשָׁ֑ן NAS: Out of his nostrils smoke goes forth KJV: Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, INT: of his nostrils goes smoke 1 Occurrence |
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