Job 38:40

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 38:40 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “When they couch in their dens, [And] abide in the covert to lie in wait?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

When they couch in their dens, [And] abide in the covert to lie in wait?
Job 38:40 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 38

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
40When they couch in their dens, [And] abide in the covert to lie in wait?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“When they couch in [their] dens, [and] abide in the covert to lie in wait?] Which some understand of old lions, who, for want of strength, lie couchant in their dens, or in some covert place, waiting for any prey that passes by, to seize upon it. But the same pasture and places are used by younger lions, as well as old ones; who are emblems of wicked men, cruel persecutors, and bloodthirsty tyrants, who fill their palaces and kingdoms with murder and rapine; (see <191008>Psalm 10:8-10) (Na 2:11,12).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“lie in wait?--for their prey (Psa 10:9).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“When they couch in their dens - For the purpose of springing upon their prey. And abide in the covert to lie in wait? - The usual posture of the lion when he seeks his prey. He places himself in some unobserved position in a dense thicket, or crouches upon the ground so as not to be seen, and then springs suddenly upon his victim. The common method of the lion in taking his prey is to spring or throw himself upon it from the place of his ambush, with one vast bound and to inflict the mortal blow with one stroke of his paw. If he misses his aim, however, he seldom attempts another spring at the same object, but deliberately returns to the thicket in which he lay in concealment. See the habits…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Gen 49:9; Num 23:24, Num 24:9 Job 38:41”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification