Lexical Summary atishah: Sneeze Original Word: עֵטִישָׁה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sneezing From an unused root meaning to sneeze; sneezing -- sneezing. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a sneezing NASB Translation sneezes (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [עֲטִישָׁה] noun feminine sneezing; plural suffix עֲטִישֹׁתָיו Job 41:10, see I. הלל (Bi Siegf Bu Du rd singular). Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence and Context The term appears a single time in Job 41:18 during the divine speech that describes Leviathan. “His sneezes flash forth light, and his eyes are like the rays of dawn” (Job 41:18). The detail forms part of a larger portrait that magnifies Leviathan’s fearsome glory and, by contrast, the limitless majesty of the LORD who alone can subdue him. Imagery and Theological Themes 1. Manifest Glory—The flashing light evokes instantaneous, uncontrollable brilliance. Just as lightning stuns the observer, Leviathan’s “sneeze” radiates an untamable power that dwarfs human strength. Exegetical Insights • The Hebrew poetry piles rapid-fire images—smoke, fire, iron, stone—to overwhelm the reader. The sneezing motif anchors an interplay of light and breath, subtly recalling Genesis 1:3 where divine speech summons light into being. Historical and Cultural Background Near-Eastern myths speak of monstrous serpents subdued by warrior gods. Job retains the grandeur of the creature yet rejects polytheistic combat myths: Yahweh does not wrestle for supremacy; He already possesses it. The sneezing phenomenon, therefore, is not a rival deity’s weapon but a divinely crafted facet of creation. Pastoral and Ministry Application • Courage in Spiritual Warfare—Believers facing intimidating opposition can recall that the most terrifying forces still breathe by permission of the Sovereign Lord. Christological Reflections Colossians 1:16 declares that “all things were created through Him and for Him.” The One who fashioned Leviathan’s blazing sneezes later stilled Galilee’s storm with a word (Matthew 8:26-27). At Calvary He disarmed the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:15), assuring the church that the final victory over chaos is secured (Revelation 21:1). Related Scriptures Psalm 18:8; Psalm 104:26; Isaiah 27:1; Psalm 74:13-14; Romans 11:33-36. Conclusion The solitary reference to the dazzling “sneezes” of Leviathan serves a profound purpose: it confronts human limitation with the spectacle of a creature whose very breath outshines human capability, thereby magnifying the supremacy, wisdom, and benevolent rule of the Creator. Forms and Transliterations עֲֽ֭טִישֹׁתָיו עטישתיו ‘ăṭî·šō·ṯāw ‘ăṭîšōṯāw aTishotavLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 41:18 HEB: עֲֽ֭טִישֹׁתָיו תָּ֣הֶל א֑וֹר NAS: His sneezes flash forth light, KJV: By his neesings a light doth shine, INT: his sneezes flash light 1 Occurrence |
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