New International VersionIts undersides are jagged potsherds, leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.
New Living TranslationIts belly is covered with scales as sharp as glass. It plows up the ground as it drags through the mud.
English Standard VersionHis underparts are like sharp potsherds; he spreads himself like a threshing sledge on the mire.
Berean Standard BibleHis undersides are jagged potsherds, spreading out the mud like a threshing sledge.
King James BibleSharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
New King James VersionHis undersides are like sharp potsherds; He spreads pointed marks in the mire.
New American Standard Bible“His underparts are like sharp pieces of pottery; He spreads out like a threshing sledge on the mud.
NASB 1995“His underparts are like sharp potsherds; He spreads out like a threshing sledge on the mire.
NASB 1977“His underparts are like sharp potsherds; He spreads out like a threshing sledge on the mire.
Legacy Standard BibleIts underparts are like sharp potsherds; It spreads out like a threshing sledge on the mire.
Amplified Bible“His underparts are like sharp pieces of broken pottery; He moves across and spreads out [grooves] like a threshing sledge on the mire (muddy river banks).
Christian Standard BibleHis undersides are jagged potsherds, spreading the mud like a threshing sledge.
Holman Christian Standard BibleHis undersides are jagged potsherds, spreading the mud like a threshing sledge.
American Standard VersionHis underparts are like sharp potsherds: He spreadeth as it were a threshing-wain upon the mire.
Contemporary English VersionAs it crawls through the mud, its sharp and spiny hide tears the ground apart.
English Revised VersionHis underparts are like sharp potsherds: he spreadeth as it were a threshing wain upon the mire.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationIts underside is like sharp pieces of broken pottery. It stretches out like a threshing sledge on the mud.
Good News TranslationThe scales on his belly are like jagged pieces of pottery; they tear up the muddy ground like a threshing sledge.
International Standard Version"Beneath him he is armored as with sharp potsherds; he tears through muddy ground like a threshing sledge through grain.
NET BibleIts underparts are the sharp points of potsherds, it leaves its mark in the mud like a threshing sledge.
New Heart English BibleHis undersides are like sharp potsherds, leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.
Webster's Bible TranslationSharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHis undersides are jagged potsherds, spreading out the mud like a threshing sledge.
World English BibleHis undersides are like sharp potsherds, leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionSharp points of clay [are] under him, "" He spreads gold on the mire.
Young's Literal Translation Under him are sharp points of clay, He spreadeth gold on the mire.
Smith's Literal TranslationSharpnesses of the potsherd under him: he will spread a trench upon the mire. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe beams of the sun shall be under him, and he shall strew gold under him like mire.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThe beams of the sun will be under him, and he will dispense gold to them as if it were clay.
New American Bible
Under him are sharp pottery fragments, spreading a threshing sledge upon the mire.
New Revised Standard Version
Its underparts are like sharp potsherds; it spreads itself like a threshing sledge on the mire.Translations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible
The bow cannot make him flee; he treats slingstones as stubble.OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917
Sharpest potsherds are under him; He spreadeth a threshing-sledge upon the mire.
Brenton Septuagint Translation
His lair isformed of sharp points; and all the gold of the sea under him is an immensequantity of clay.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context God's Power Shown in Leviathan… 29A club is regarded as straw, and he laughs at the sound of the lance. 30His undersidesare jaggedpotsherds,spreading outthe mudlike a threshing sledge.31He makes the depths seethe like a cauldron; he makes the sea like a jar of ointment.…
Cross References Isaiah 27:1In 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 74:13-14You divided the sea by Your strength; You smashed the heads of the dragons of the sea; / You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert.
Psalm 104:25-26Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number, living things both great and small. / There the ships pass, and Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there.
Ezekiel 29:3Speak 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.’
Isaiah 51:9Awake, 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 9:3Though 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.
Revelation 12:9And 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 13:1Then I saw a beast with ten horns and seven heads rising out of the sea. There were ten royal crowns on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.
Revelation 20:2He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
Genesis 3:15And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Exodus 7:12Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs.
Psalm 91:13You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent.
Isaiah 11:8The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest.
Isaiah 14:29Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg.
Treasury of Scripture Sharp stones are under him: he spreads sharp pointed things on the mire. Sharp stones. Jump to Previous BrokenClayEarthEdgesGoldGrain-CrushingInstrumentLeavingMireMudPartsPointedPointsPotsPotsherdsPullingSharpSharpestSledgeSpreadethSpreadsStonesThreshingThreshing-SledgeTrailWetJump to Next BrokenClayEarthEdgesGoldGrain-CrushingInstrumentLeavingMireMudPartsPointedPointsPotsPotsherdsPullingSharpSharpestSledgeSpreadethSpreadsStonesThreshingThreshing-SledgeTrailWetJob 41 1.Of God's great power in the leviathanHis undersides are jagged potsherdsThis phrase describes the underbelly of the creature, often identified as Leviathan, a formidable sea creature mentioned in the Book of Job. The imagery of "jagged potsherds" suggests a rough, sharp, and impenetrable surface, emphasizing the creature's invulnerability and strength. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, potsherds were common and represented broken pottery, often sharp and dangerous. This metaphor highlights the creature's ability to withstand attacks and its fearsome nature. The description aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's creation being beyond human control or understanding, as seen in other parts of Job where God's power and wisdom are extolled (Job 38-39). spreading out the mud like a threshing sledge
The imagery of a "threshing sledge" refers to an ancient agricultural tool used to separate grain from chaff. It was typically a heavy wooden platform with sharp stones or metal underneath, dragged over harvested crops. This metaphor suggests the creature's movement through mud is powerful and transformative, leaving a significant impact. The cultural context of threshing in the ancient world was well understood by Job's audience, symbolizing strength and efficiency. This phrase underscores the creature's dominance over its environment, much like how God is sovereign over creation. The imagery can also be seen as a reminder of the futility of human efforts against divine power, a recurring theme in Job. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man of great faith and patience, who undergoes severe trials and suffering. The book of Job is a dialogue about his experiences and the nature of God's justice. 2. LeviathanA creature described in Job 41, often interpreted as a symbol of chaos or a powerful sea creature. The description of Leviathan serves to illustrate God's power and the limitations of human understanding. 3. GodThe ultimate speaker in Job 41, who uses the description of Leviathan to demonstrate His sovereignty and the vastness of His creation. 4. Ancient Near EastThe cultural and geographical context of the Book of Job, where creatures like Leviathan were part of the mythological landscape. 5. Threshing SledgeAn agricultural tool used in ancient times to separate grain from chaff, symbolizing the destructive power and strength of Leviathan. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyThe description of Leviathan in Job 41:30 reminds us of God's ultimate control over all creation, including the most powerful and chaotic forces. Human LimitationsThe imagery of Leviathan challenges us to recognize our limitations in understanding God's ways and the complexity of His creation. Trust in God's PowerJust as God controls Leviathan, we can trust Him to manage the chaos and challenges in our own lives. Symbolism of ChaosLeviathan represents chaos and evil, yet God is depicted as having authority over it, encouraging believers to have faith in God's ultimate victory over evil. Reflection on CreationThe detailed description of Leviathan invites us to marvel at the intricacy and majesty of God's creation, prompting worship and reverence. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Job 41
What does being rescued from mud and mire mean?
If Leviathan is a metaphorical creature, why does Job 41 depict it with such realistic physical traits and capabilities?
Job 30:23 - If Job believes God will bring him to death, how does this align or conflict with the broader theology of afterlife or resurrection found elsewhere in Scripture?
Why would God highlight an indomitable creature in Job 41 if no verifiable species today matches this description?(30 )He spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.--Some render, "He spreadeth, as it were, a threshing-wain upon the mire." The statement is, that he not only can lie without inconvenience upon sharp-pointed things, but his own body presents a sharp surface to the mud he lies on. Verse 30. - Sharp stones are under him; rather, jagged potsherds are under him; i.e. "his belly is covered with jagged scales" - a thing which is true of the crocodile, but scarcely of any other beast. He spreadeth sharp pointed things (rather, a threshing-wain, or a corn-drag) upon the mire. He leaves on the mud on which he has lain, i.e. an impression as of an Oriental threshing-wain, or corn-drag, which is "a thick plank of timber, stuck full on the under side, of flints or hard cutting stones arranged in the form of the palate or rough tongue of a cow" (Sir C. Fellows, 'Asia Minor,' p. 70). The mud-banks on which crocodiles have been lying are said to be scored all over with such impressions.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew His undersidesתַּ֭חְתָּיו(taḥ·tāw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8478:The bottom, below, in lieu ofare jaggedחַדּ֣וּדֵי(ḥad·dū·ḏê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2303:Sharpened, sharp, pointedpotsherds,חָ֑רֶשׂ(ḥā·reś)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2789:Earthenware, earthen vessel, sherd, potsherdspreading outיִרְפַּ֖ד(yir·paḏ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7502:To spread, to refreshthe mudטִֽיט׃(ṭîṭ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2916:Mud, clay, calamitylike a threshing sledge.חָר֣וּץ(ḥā·rūṣ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2742:Incised, incisive, a trench, gold, a threshing-sledge, determination, eager
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OT Poetry: Job 41:30 His undersides are like sharp potsherds leaving (Jb) |
