Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Its tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of its thighs are close-knit. New Living Translation Its tail is as strong as a cedar. The sinews of its thighs are knit tightly together. English Standard Version He makes his tail stiff like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together. Berean Standard Bible His tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit. King James Bible He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. New King James Version He moves his tail like a cedar; The sinews of his thighs are tightly knit. New American Standard Bible “He hangs his tail like a cedar; The tendons of his thighs are knit together. NASB 1995 “He bends his tail like a cedar; The sinews of his thighs are knit together. NASB 1977 “He bends his tail like a cedar; The sinews of his thighs are knit together. Legacy Standard Bible It hangs its tail like a cedar; The sinews of its thighs are knit together. Amplified Bible “He sways his tail like a cedar; The tendons of his thighs are twisted and knit together [like a rope]. Christian Standard Bible He stiffens his tail like a cedar tree; the tendons of his thighs are woven firmly together. Holman Christian Standard Bible He stiffens his tail like a cedar tree; the tendons of his thighs are woven firmly together. American Standard Version He moveth his tail like a cedar: The sinews of his thighs are knit together. Contemporary English Version and legs. Its tail is like a cedar tree, and its thighs are thick. English Revised Version He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his thighs are knit together. GOD'S WORD® Translation It makes its tail stiff like a cedar. The ligaments of its thighs are intertwined. Good News Translation His tail stands up like a cedar, and the muscles in his legs are strong. International Standard Version His tail protrudes stiffly, like cedar; the sinews of his thigh interlink for strength. NET Bible It makes its tail stiff like a cedar, the sinews of its thighs are tightly wound. New Heart English Bible He moves his tail like a cedar. The sinews of his thighs are knit together. Webster's Bible Translation He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his male organs are wrapped together. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHis tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit. World English Bible He moves his tail like a cedar. The sinews of his thighs are knit together. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionHe bends his tail as a cedar, "" The sinews of his thighs are wrapped together, Young's Literal Translation He doth bend his tail as a cedar, The sinews of his thighs are wrapped together, Smith's Literal Translation He will bend his tail as a cedar; the sinews of his thighs will be woven together. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHe setteth up his tail like a cedar, the sinews of his testicles are wrapped together. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible He carries his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are like cables. New Revised Standard Version It makes its tail stiff like a cedar; the sinews of its thighs are knit together. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe sinews of his thighs bulge out. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He lifts up his tail like a cedar and the sinews of his thighs stand up OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917He straineth his tail like a cedar; The sinews of his thighs are knit together. Brenton Septuagint Translation He sets up his tail like a cypress; and his nerves are wrapped together. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Job Humbles Himself Before the LORD…16See the strength of his loins and the power in the muscles of his belly. 17His tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit. 18His bones are tubes of bronze; his limbs are rods of iron.… Cross References Psalm 104:26 There the ships pass, and Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there. Isaiah 27:1 In that day the LORD will take His sharp, great, and mighty sword, and bring judgment on Leviathan the fleeing serpent—Leviathan the coiling serpent—and He will slay the dragon of the sea. Ezekiel 29:3 Speak to him and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Pharaoh king of Egypt, O great monster who lies among his rivers, who says, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it myself.’ Ezekiel 32:2 “Son of man, take up a lament for Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: ‘You are like a lion among the nations; you are like a monster in the seas. You thrash about in your rivers, churning up the waters with your feet and muddying the streams.’ Psalm 74:14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert. Isaiah 51:9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon? Amos 9:3 Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them. Genesis 1:21 So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed according to their kinds, and every winged bird after its kind. And God saw that it was good. Psalm 148:7 Praise the LORD from the earth, all great sea creatures and ocean depths, Isaiah 43:20 The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people. Matthew 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Luke 11:30 For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation. Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Revelation 20:2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. Romans 11:33 O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! Treasury of Scripture He moves his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. moveth. Job 41:23 The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved. Jump to Previous Bend Bendeth Bends Cedar Joined Knit Legs Makes Male Moves Moveth Muscles Organs Sinews Stiff Stones Sways Tail Thighs Together Woven WrappedJump to Next Bend Bendeth Bends Cedar Joined Knit Legs Makes Male Moves Moveth Muscles Organs Sinews Stiff Stones Sways Tail Thighs Together Woven WrappedJob 40 1. Job humbles himself to God6. God stirs him up to show his righteousness, power, and wisdom 16. Of the behemoth His tail sways like a cedar; This phrase describes the tail of the creature known as Behemoth, which is often interpreted as a large, powerful animal. The comparison to a cedar, a tree known for its size and strength, suggests a creature of immense power and majesty. In biblical times, cedars, particularly those from Lebanon, were highly valued for their durability and were used in the construction of significant structures, such as Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 6:9-10). The imagery of a swaying cedar conveys not only the size but also the grace and strength of the Behemoth. This description has led some to speculate that the Behemoth could be a now-extinct creature or a poetic representation of a known animal, such as a hippopotamus or an elephant, though these animals do not have tails resembling cedars. Theologically, this imagery emphasizes God's creation's grandeur and the limitations of human understanding in comprehending His works. the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man of great faith and patience, who undergoes severe trials and suffering. The book of Job is a dialogue between Job, his friends, and God, exploring themes of suffering and divine justice. 2. God The Creator, who speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, challenging Job's understanding of divine wisdom and power. 3. Behemoth A creature described by God in His discourse with Job, symbolizing God's power in creation. The exact identity of Behemoth is debated, but it is often seen as a representation of a powerful land animal. 4. The Land of Uz The setting of the Book of Job, traditionally considered to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia. 5. The Whirlwind The medium through which God speaks to Job, signifying His majesty and authority. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in CreationThe description of Behemoth highlights God's unmatched power and wisdom in creation. We are reminded that all creatures, great and small, are under His sovereign control. Human Limitations Job's encounter with God's description of Behemoth serves as a humbling reminder of human limitations in understanding God's ways. We are called to trust in God's wisdom, even when we do not fully comprehend His plans. The Majesty of God The imagery of Behemoth's strength and structure points to the majesty of God, encouraging believers to worship Him for His greatness and creative power. Trust in God's Wisdom Just as Job is challenged to trust in God's wisdom, believers today are encouraged to rely on God's understanding rather than their own, especially in times of trial. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Job 40:17?2. How does Job 40:17 illustrate God's power over creation and nature? 3. What can we learn about humility from God's description in Job 40:17? 4. How does Job 40:17 connect to God's sovereignty in Genesis 1? 5. How should Job 40:17 influence our view of God's authority in our lives? 6. What practical steps can we take to acknowledge God's majesty as seen in Job 40:17? 7. What creature is described in Job 40:17, and does it have a historical basis? 8. How does Job 40:17 challenge the understanding of God's creation? 9. Is the "tail like a cedar" in Job 40:17 symbolic or literal? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 40? 11. What does 'behemoth' mean? 12. Job 40:15–24: How can the “Behemoth,” with a tail like a cedar, be any known animal, and does this suggest a mythical or extinct creature? 13. Job 40:17: If 'Behemoth' truly has a tail like a cedar, why do some translations or commentators equate it with a hippopotamus or elephant, which clearly have short tails? 14. Why do biblical texts include myths like the Leviathan and Behemoth? What Does Job 40:17 Mean His tail sways like a cedar“His tail sways like a cedar” (Job 40:17a) • A cedar stands out in Scripture as a picture of towering strength and permanence (Psalm 92:12; Ezekiel 31:3). • God points Job to a creature—Behemoth—whose tail moves with the same commanding presence. • Such imagery helps Job (and us) grasp the sheer scale God can invest in His creatures (Job 40:15; Psalm 104:24). • The verse speaks literally of a real animal, not myth. Its massive, tree-like tail has led many to see something far larger than a hippo or elephant, perhaps a now-extinct land giant. Either way, the point remains: only the Creator can craft such power (Isaiah 40:26). • The swaying tail underscores how effortlessly this beast displays force: no struggle, no strain—just majestic movement, reminding Job that God’s strength is never taxed (Psalm 29:10). The sinews of his thighs are tightly knit “…the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit” (Job 40:17b) • “Sinews” highlight the unseen network of muscles and ligaments God weaves together (Psalm 139:13). • “Tightly knit” pictures extraordinary stability and coordination, allowing Behemoth to support immense weight and stand firm against any current or predator (Job 40:18). • The focus remains on divine craftsmanship: “God is my strength and power; He makes my way perfect” (2 Samuel 22:33). If God engineers such durability in an animal, Job can trust Him to hold every strand of human life securely. • The contrast is deliberate: Job’s frailty versus Behemoth’s solid frame. God doesn’t belittle Job; He lifts Job’s eyes to a living illustration that answers the unspoken question, “Can the Almighty handle my chaos?” (Job 38:4). summary Job 40:17 paints a two-part portrait of Behemoth—an enormous tail that swings like a cedar and thighs bound by unbreakable sinews. Each image magnifies God’s creative power: He fashions creatures with effortless might and flawless design. By inviting Job to observe this living monument of strength, God gently redirects Job’s gaze from his own limitations to the limitless competence of his Maker. (17) The sinews of his stones.--Rather, of his thighs.Verse 17. - He moveth his tail like a cedar. The tail of the hippopotamus is remarkably short and thick. It only bends slightly, being stiff and unyielding, like the stem of a cedar. The sinews of his stones (rather, of his thighs) are wrapped together; or, interwoven one with another (so Professor Lee and Mr. Houghton).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew His tailזְנָב֣וֹ (zə·nā·ḇōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2180: Tail, end, stump sways יַחְפֹּ֣ץ (yaḥ·pōṣ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2654: To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desire like כְמוֹ־ (ḵə·mōw-) Preposition Strong's 3644: Like, as, when a cedar; אָ֑רֶז (’ā·rez) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 730: A cedar tree the sinews גִּידֵ֖י (gî·ḏê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1517: A thong, a tendon of פחדו (p̄a·ḥă·ḏōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew his thighs פַחֲדָ֣יו (p̄a·ḥă·ḏāw) Noun - mdc | third person masculine singular Strong's 6344: A testicle are tightly knit. יְשֹׂרָֽגוּ׃ (yə·śō·rā·ḡū) Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 8276: To be intertwined Links Job 40:17 NIVJob 40:17 NLT Job 40:17 ESV Job 40:17 NASB Job 40:17 KJV Job 40:17 BibleApps.com Job 40:17 Biblia Paralela Job 40:17 Chinese Bible Job 40:17 French Bible Job 40:17 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 40:17 He moves his tail like a cedar (Jb) |
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