The big picture
Job 40 opens in verse 1 with “Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,”, reaches its middle movement near verse 12 with “Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their…”, and closes in verse 24 with “He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.” Repeated or prominent terms include answer, LORD, bones, hand, loins. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Job · King James Version · 24Job 40:1-8
1–8: Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,
Job 40:1–8 opens with “Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,” and reaches “Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Job 40 develops its own movement around answer, LORD, bones, hand, loins, with particular weight carried by answer, LORD, Almighty.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 3 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,” Naming Job and Moreover keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Job 40:1-8
King James Version1Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,
2Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
3Then Job answered the LORD , and said,
4Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
5Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
6Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
7Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
8Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
Job 40:9-16
9–16: Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
Job 40:9–16 opens with “Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?” and reaches “Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Job 40 develops its own movement around answer, LORD, bones, hand, loins, with particular weight carried by proud, thyself, abase.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
Job 40:9-16
King James Version9Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
10Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
11Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
12Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
13Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
14Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
15Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
16Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
Job 40:17-24
17–24: He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped…
Job 40:17–24 opens with “He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.” and reaches “He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Job 40 develops its own movement around answer, LORD, bones, hand, loins, with particular weight carried by bones, shady, trees.
Context that brings the passage to life
“He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.” The line’s distinctive content terms include cedar, moveth, sinews. Its relationship to verses 18 shows what work it does in this passage.
“He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
Job 40:17-24
King James Version17He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
18His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
19He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.
20Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
21He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
22The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.
23Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.
24He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Job 40:1 begins with “Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,”
Where the chapter turns
Job 40:14 forms a natural hinge: “Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.”
The final note
Job 40:24 leaves the reader with “He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words answer, LORD, bones, hand, loins, mouth help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What ordinary act begins Joseph's service?
He notices that the officials look troubled and asks why.
How does the ending challenge easy success stories?
His interpretations are fulfilled, but his personal appeal is forgotten.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.