Job 41:3
New International Version
Will it keep begging you for mercy? Will it speak to you with gentle words?

New Living Translation
Will it beg you for mercy or implore you for pity?

English Standard Version
Will he make many pleas to you? Will he speak to you soft words?

Berean Standard Bible
Will he beg you for mercy or speak to you softly?

King James Bible
Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?

New King James Version
Will he make many supplications to you? Will he speak softly to you?

New American Standard Bible
“Will he make many pleas to you, Or will he speak to you gentle words?

NASB 1995
“Will he make many supplications to you, Or will he speak to you soft words?

NASB 1977
“Will he make many supplications to you? Or will he speak to you soft words?

Legacy Standard Bible
Will it make many supplications to you, Or will he speak to you soft words?

Amplified Bible
“Will he make many supplications to you [begging to be spared]? Or will he speak soft words to you [to coax you to treat him kindly]?

Christian Standard Bible
Will he beg you for mercy or speak softly to you?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Will he beg you for mercy or speak softly to you?

American Standard Version
Will he make many supplications unto thee? Or will he speak soft words unto thee?

Contemporary English Version
Will it beg for mercy?

English Revised Version
Will he make many supplications unto thee? or will he speak soft words unto thee?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Will it plead with you for mercy or speak tenderly to you?

Good News Translation
Will he beg you to let him go? Will he plead with you for mercy?

International Standard Version
Will he make many supplications to you, or will he beg you for mercy?

Majority Standard Bible
Will he beg you for mercy or speak to you softly?

NET Bible
Will it make numerous supplications to you, will it speak to you with tender words?

New Heart English Bible
Will he make many petitions to you, or will he speak soft words to you?

Webster's Bible Translation
Will he make many supplications to thee? will he speak soft words to thee?

World English Bible
Will he make many petitions to you, or will he speak soft words to you?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Does he multiply supplications to you? Does he speak tender things to you?

Young's Literal Translation
Doth he multiply unto thee supplications? Doth he speak unto thee tender things?

Smith's Literal Translation
Will he multiply supplications to thee? will he speak soft things to thee?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Will he make many supplications to thee, or speak soft words to thee?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Will he offer many prayers to you, or speak to you quietly?

New American Bible
Will he then plead with you, time after time, or address you with tender words?

New Revised Standard Version
Will it make many supplications to you? Will it speak soft words to you?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Will he make many supplications to you? Or will he speak flattering words to you?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if he begs much from you and speaks to you tenderly
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Will he make many supplications unto thee? Or will he speak soft words unto thee?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Will he address thee with a petition? softly, with the voice of a suppliant?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Power Shown in Leviathan
2Can you put a cord through his nose or pierce his jaw with a hook? 3Will he beg you for mercy or speak to you softly? 4Will he make a covenant with you to take him as a slave for life?…

Cross References
Psalm 18:41
They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—to the LORD, but He did not answer.

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.

Psalm 50:15
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”

Isaiah 45:11
Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: “Concerning things to come, do you question Me about My sons, or instruct Me in the work of My hands?

Psalm 66:3
Say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power that Your enemies cower before You.

Isaiah 41:21-24
“Present your case,” says the LORD. “Submit your arguments,” says the King of Jacob. / “Let them come and tell us what will happen. Tell the former things, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome. Or announce to us what is coming. / Tell us the things that are to come, so that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do something good or evil, that we may look on together in dismay. ...

Psalm 91:15
When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.

Isaiah 43:13
Even from eternity I am He, and none can deliver out of My hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”

Psalm 145:19
He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.

Isaiah 46:9-10
Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. / I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Luke 11:9-10
So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

John 14:13-14
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. / If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.

Romans 10:12-13
For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, / for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

1 John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. / And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.


Treasury of Scripture

Will he make many supplications to you? will he speak soft words to you?

Psalm 55:21
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Proverbs 18:23
The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

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Job 41
1. Of God's great power in the leviathan














Will he beg you for mercy
This phrase is a rhetorical question posed by God to Job, referring to the mighty creature Leviathan. The Hebrew root for "beg" is "שָׁאַל" (sha'al), which means to ask or request earnestly. In the context of Job, this highlights the futility of human power against God's creation. Leviathan, a symbol of chaos and untamable power, represents forces beyond human control. The question underscores God's sovereignty and the idea that even the most formidable creatures are under His dominion. Historically, Leviathan is often associated with ancient Near Eastern myths of sea monsters, emphasizing the awe and fear they inspired. This phrase invites reflection on the humility required before God's omnipotence, reminding believers of their dependence on divine mercy rather than their own strength.

or speak to you softly?
The phrase "speak to you softly" uses the Hebrew word "רַכּוֹת" (rakkot), meaning gentle or tender. This imagery contrasts the fierce nature of Leviathan with the idea of submission or gentleness. In the ancient world, speaking softly was a sign of submission or seeking favor. The rhetorical nature of the question implies that such a mighty creature would never approach a human in this manner, reinforcing the theme of human limitations. This serves as a metaphor for the broader message of Job: the recognition of God's ultimate authority and the proper posture of humility and reverence before Him. The historical context of this passage, set in a time when humanity was acutely aware of its vulnerability to natural forces, further amplifies the call to trust in God's wisdom and power. This phrase encourages believers to approach God with a humble heart, acknowledging His greatness and our need for His guidance and protection.

Verse 3. - Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee? Ironical. Will he behave as human captives do, when they wish to curry favour with their captors?

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Will he beg
הֲיַרְבֶּ֣ה (hă·yar·beh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

you
אֵ֭לֶיךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

for mercy
תַּחֲנוּנִ֑ים (ta·ḥă·nū·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8469: Supplication for favor

or
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

speak
יְדַבֵּ֖ר (yə·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to you
אֵלֶ֣יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

softly?
רַכּֽוֹת׃ (rak·kō·wṯ)
Adjective - feminine plural
Strong's 7390: Tender, delicate, soft


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OT Poetry: Job 41:3 Will he make many petitions to you (Jb)
Job 41:2
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