Job 41:12

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 41:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I will not keep silence concerning his limbs, Nor his mighty strength, nor his goodly frame.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I will not keep silence concerning his limbs, Nor his mighty strength, nor his goodly frame.
Job 41:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 41

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12I will not keep silence concerning his limbs, Nor his mighty strength, nor his goodly frame.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I will not conceal his parts, etc.] The parts of the leviathan; or “his bars”, the members of his body, which are like bars of iron: nor his power; which is very great, whether of the crocodile or the whale: nor his comely proportion; the symmetry of his body, and the members of it; which, though large, every part is in just proportion to each other.”
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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
“I will not conceal--a resumption of the description broken off by the digression, which formed an agreeable change. his power--literally, "the way," that is, true proportion or expression of his strength (so Hebrew, Deu 19:4). comely proportion--literally, "the comeliness of his structure" (his apparatus: so "suit of apparel" Jdg 17:10) [MAURER]. UMBREIT translates, "his armor." But that follows after.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I will not conceal his parts - This is the commencement of a more particular description of the animal than had been before given. In the previous part of the chapter, the remarks are general, speaking of it merely as one of great power, and not to be taken by any of the ordinary methods. A description follows of the various parts of the animal, all tending to confirm this general impression, and to fill the hearer with a deep conviction of his formidable character. The words rendered, “I will not conceal,” mean, “I will not be silent;” that is, he would speak of them. The description which follows of the “parts” of the animal refers particularly to his mouth, his teeth, his scales, his…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“comely: Gen 1:25 Job 41:13”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“12 I will not keep silence about his members, The proportion of his power and the comeliness of his structure. 13 Who could raise the front of his coat of mail? Into his double teeth-who cometh therein? 14 The doors of his face-who openeth them? Round about his teeth is terror. The Ker לו authorized by the Masora assumes an interrogative rendering: as to it, should I be silent about its members (לו at the head of the clause, as Lev 7:7-9; Isa 9:2), \- what perhaps might appear more poetic to many. החרישׁ (once, Job 11:3, to cause to keep silence) here, as usually: to be silent. בּדּיו, as Job 18:13. דּבר signifies the relation of the matter, a matter of fact, as דּברי, facts, Psa 65:4; Psa…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification