Job 41:21

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 41:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “His breath kindleth coals, And a flame goeth forth from his mouth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

His breath kindleth coals, And a flame goeth forth from his mouth.
Job 41:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 41

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
21His breath kindleth coals, And a flame goeth forth from his mouth.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“His breath kindles coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.] Hyperbolical expressions, which the above observations may seem to justify.”
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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
“kindleth coals--poetical imagery (Psa 18:8).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“His breath kindleth coals - It seems to be a flame, and to set on fire all around it. So Hesiod, “Theog.” i. 319, describing the creation of the Chimera, speaks of it as πνέουσαν ἀμαισάκετον πῦρ pneousan amaimaketon pur. “Breathing unquenchable fire,” So Virgil, “Georg.” ii. 140: Haec loca non tauri spirantes naribus ignem Invertere. “Bulls breathing fire these furrows ne’er have known.” Warton A similar phrase is found in a sublime description of the anger of the Almighty, in Psalms 18:8 : There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, And fire out of his mouth devoured: Coals were kindled by it. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Kindleth coals - An hyperbolical expression, denoting extraordinary heat. Job 41:22”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Psa 18:8, Psa 18:12; Isa 30:33; Hab 3:5 Job 41:22”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification