Job 41:25
New International Version
When it rises up, the mighty are terrified; they retreat before its thrashing.

New Living Translation
When it rises, the mighty are afraid, gripped by terror.

English Standard Version
When he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid; at the crashing they are beside themselves.

Berean Standard Bible
When Leviathan rises up, the mighty are terrified; they withdraw before his thrashing.

King James Bible
When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.

New King James Version
When he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid; Because of his crashings they are beside themselves.

New American Standard Bible
“When he rises up, the mighty are afraid; Because of the crashing they are bewildered.

NASB 1995
“When he raises himself up, the mighty fear; Because of the crashing they are bewildered.

NASB 1977
“When he raises himself up, the mighty fear; Because of the crashing they are bewildered.

Legacy Standard Bible
When it raises itself up, the mighty fear, Because of the crashing they are bewildered.

Amplified Bible
“When he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid; Because of the crashing they are bewildered.

Christian Standard Bible
When Leviathan rises, the mighty are terrified; they withdraw because of his thrashing.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Leviathan rises, the mighty are terrified; they withdraw because of his thrashing.

American Standard Version
When he raiseth himself up, the mighty are afraid: By reason of consternation they are beside themselves.

Contemporary English Version
When this noisy monster appears, even the most powerful turn and run in fear.

English Revised Version
When he raiseth himself up, the mighty are afraid: by reason of consternation they are beside themselves.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"The mighty are afraid when Leviathan rises. Broken down, they draw back.

Good News Translation
When he rises up, even the strongest are frightened; they are helpless with fear.

International Standard Version
When he rears up, the mighty are terrified; they are bewildered as he thrashes about.

Majority Standard Bible
When Leviathan rises up, the mighty are terrified; they withdraw before his thrashing.

NET Bible
When it rises up, the mighty are terrified, at its thrashing about they withdraw.

New Heart English Bible
When he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid. They retreat before his thrashing.

Webster's Bible Translation
When he raiseth himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.

World English Bible
When he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid. They retreat before his thrashing.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The mighty are afraid at his rising, "" From his breakings they keep themselves free.

Young's Literal Translation
From his rising are the mighty afraid, From breakings they keep themselves free.

Smith's Literal Translation
His lifting up, the mighty will be stirred up: from breaking they shall purify themselves.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
When he shall raise him up, the angels shall fear, and being affrighted shall purify themselves.

Catholic Public Domain Version
When he will be raised up, the angels will be afraid, and, because they are terrified, they will purify themselves.

New American Bible
When he rises up, the gods are afraid; when he crashes down, they fall back.

New Revised Standard Version
When it raises itself up the gods are afraid; at the crashing they are beside themselves.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
His heart is never made to quake for fear, but is firm like a stone; yea as hard as flint.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
From his awesomeness the mighty will be moved and the strong will be laid low
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
When he raiseth himself up, the mighty are afraid; By reason of despair they are beside themselves.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And when he turns, he is a terror to the four-footed wild beasts which leap upon the earth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Power Shown in Leviathan
24His chest is as hard as a rock, as hard as a lower millstone! 25When Leviathan rises up, the mighty are terrified; they withdraw before his thrashing. 26The sword that reaches him has no effect, nor does the spear or dart or arrow.…

Cross References
Psalm 89:7
In the council of the holy ones, God is greatly feared, and awesome above all who surround Him.

Isaiah 33:14
The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling grips the ungodly: “Who of us can dwell with a consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting flames?”

Nahum 1:6
Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; even rocks are shattered before Him.

Exodus 15:14-16
The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia. / Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away, / and terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of Your arm they will be as still as a stone until Your people pass by, O LORD, until the people You have bought pass by.

Jeremiah 10:10
But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.

Revelation 6:15-17
Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. / And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. / For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”

Psalm 76:7-8
You alone are to be feared. When You are angry, who can stand before You? / From heaven You pronounced judgment, and the earth feared and was still

Isaiah 2:19-21
Men will flee to caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth. / In that day men will cast away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold—the idols they made to worship. / They will flee to caverns in the rocks and crevices in the cliffs, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth.

Daniel 5:6
his face grew pale and his thoughts so alarmed him that his hips gave way and his knees knocked together.

Ezekiel 32:10
I will cause many peoples to be appalled over you, and their kings will shudder in horror because of you when I brandish My sword before them. On the day of your downfall each of them will tremble every moment for his life.’

Luke 21:26
Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Hebrews 12:21
The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

Psalm 18:7
Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger.

Isaiah 13:6-8
Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty. / Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt. / Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at one another, their faces flushed with fear.

Joel 2:10-11
Before them the earth quakes; the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness. / The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army. Indeed, His camp is very large, for mighty are those who obey His command. For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful. Who can endure it?


Treasury of Scripture

When he raises up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.

by

Psalm 107:28
Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

Jonah 1:4-6
But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken…

Jump to Previous
Afraid Bewildered Consternation Crashing Despair Fear Fight Free Gets Mighty Overcome Purify Raises Raiseth Ready Reason Retreat Rises Rising Strong Terrified Themselves
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Afraid Bewildered Consternation Crashing Despair Fear Fight Free Gets Mighty Overcome Purify Raises Raiseth Ready Reason Retreat Rises Rising Strong Terrified Themselves
Job 41
1. Of God's great power in the leviathan














When Leviathan rises up
The Leviathan is often understood as a large sea creature, possibly a crocodile or a mythical sea monster, symbolizing chaos and evil. In ancient Near Eastern mythology, similar creatures represented forces of chaos subdued by gods. Biblically, Leviathan is mentioned in other passages such as Psalm 74:14 and Isaiah 27:1, where it is depicted as a creature defeated by God, symbolizing God's power over chaos. The rising of Leviathan here suggests an overwhelming and fearsome presence, emphasizing the creature's formidable nature.

the mighty are terrified
The "mighty" refers to those who are powerful or strong, possibly warriors or leaders. Their fear in the presence of Leviathan highlights the creature's immense power and the futility of human strength against it. This can be seen as a metaphor for human limitations in the face of divine or natural forces. The terror of the mighty underscores the theme of humility before God's creation, as seen in other biblical narratives where human pride is brought low.

they withdraw before his thrashing
The image of withdrawal suggests a retreat or surrender, indicating that even the strongest are powerless against Leviathan's thrashing. This thrashing can be seen as a representation of chaos and destruction, further emphasizing the creature's uncontrollable nature. The idea of retreating before such power can be connected to the broader biblical theme of recognizing human limitations and the need for reliance on God. This phrase also echoes the futility of opposing God's will, as seen in other scriptures where human efforts are thwarted by divine intervention.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man of great faith and patience, who undergoes severe trials and suffering. The book of Job is a dialogue about the nature of suffering and God's sovereignty.

2. Leviathan
A powerful and fearsome creature described in the book of Job, often interpreted as a symbol of chaos or evil. The description of Leviathan serves to illustrate God's unmatched power and control over creation.

3. God
The Almighty Creator who speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, highlighting His supreme authority and wisdom over all creation, including the mighty Leviathan.

4. The Mighty
Refers to powerful and strong individuals who, despite their strength, are terrified by the presence of Leviathan, symbolizing human limitations in the face of divine power.

5. The Book of Job
A poetic and philosophical text in the Old Testament that explores themes of suffering, divine justice, and the limits of human understanding.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Creation
The description of Leviathan in Job 41 serves as a reminder of God's supreme power and control over all creation, including the most fearsome creatures. This should lead us to trust in God's sovereignty in our own lives.

Human Limitations and Dependence on God
The fear of the mighty before Leviathan illustrates human limitations. No matter how strong or powerful we may be, we are ultimately dependent on God for protection and strength.

The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
Leviathan can be seen as a symbol of the spiritual forces of chaos and evil. Believers are reminded of the reality of spiritual warfare and the need to rely on God's power to overcome.

The Assurance of God's Victory
Despite the fearsome nature of Leviathan, the Bible assures us of God's ultimate victory over all evil. This gives us hope and confidence in God's plan for redemption and restoration.(25) By reason of breakings--i.e., the waves he makes in the water, or the breakings he makes among the plants and trees in the water.

They purify themselves--i.e., they are beside themselves; they are so overwhelmed with terror, that they take themselves off, as those who have to dwell apart for uncleanness.

Verse 25. - When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid. Egyptian historians said that one of their early kings had been slain by a crocodile (Manetho ap. Euseb., 'Chronicles Can.,' pars 1:20, p. 98). The worship paid to crocodiles in some parts of Egypt, and the hatred felt towards them in others, were probably alike inspired by fear. AElian says that, in the districts where crocodiles were worshipped, it was not safe for any one to wash his feet or to draw water at the river, and that in the vicinity of some towns people did not dare to walk along the bank of the stream ('Nat. An.,' 10:24). In modern times they have been known to precipitate men from the bank into the water by a sweep of their tail, and then to devour them at their leisure. By reason of breakings they purify themselves; rather, they are confounded. The "breakings" may by either the breakings forth of the animal from his lair among the Nile rushes, or his "breaking" of the weapons of his assailants.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When Leviathan rises up,
מִ֭שֵּׂתוֹ (miś·śê·ṯōw)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7613: An elevation, leprous scab, elation, cheerfulness, exaltation in rank, character

the mighty
אֵלִ֑ים (’ê·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

are terrified;
יָג֣וּרוּ (yā·ḡū·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1481: To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostility

they withdraw
יִתְחַטָּֽאוּ׃ (yiṯ·ḥaṭ·ṭā·’ū)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

before his thrashing.
מִ֝שְּׁבָרִ֗ים (miš·šə·ḇā·rîm)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7667: A breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash


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OT Poetry: Job 41:25 When he raises himself up the mighty (Jb)
Job 41:24
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