Job 41:22

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 41:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “In his neck abideth strength, And terror danceth before him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

In his neck abideth strength, And terror danceth before him.
Job 41:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 41

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
22In his neck abideth strength, And terror danceth before him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“In his neck remaineth strength, etc.] This is thought to be an argument against the whale, which is said to have no neck: but whatever joins the head and body may be called the neck, though ever so small; and the shorter the neck is, the stronger it is. It is also said by some, that the crocodile has no neck also; but the philosopher f1558 is express for it, that it has one and moves it: and Pliny f1559 speaks of it as turning its head upwards, which it could not do without a neck; and sorrow is turned into joy before him; or leaps and dances before him; it departs from him: he is not afraid of anything, though ever so threatening. Or sorrow and distress at the sight of him, in men and…”
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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
“remaineth--abideth permanently. His chief strength is in the neck. sorrow--anxiety or dismay personified. is turned into joy--rather, "danceth," "exulteth"; wherever he goes, he spreads terror "before him."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“In his neck remaineth strength - That is, strength is “permanently residing” there. It is not assumed for the moment, but his neck is so constructed as to be the abode of strength. The word here rendered “remaineth” (ילין yālı̂yn), means properly to pass the night; then to abide or dwell; and there is a designed contrast here with what is said of “sorrow” in this verse. This description of strength residing in the neck, agrees well with the crocodile; see the figure of the animal on p. 255. It is not easy, however, to see how this is applicable to the whale, as Prof. Lee supposes. The whale is endowed, indeed, with great strength, as Prof. Lee has shown, but that strength is manifested…”
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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
“And sorrow - Sorrow is his companion and harbinger, which attends upon him wheresoever he goes. So anger and fear are said by the poets to accompany the God of war. Job 41:24”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Job 39:19, Job 40:16 is turned into joy: Heb. rejoiceth, Hos 13:14; Co1 15:55-57 Job 41:23”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“22 Great strength resteth upon his neck, And despair danceth hence before him. 23 The flanks of his flesh are thickly set, Fitting tightly to him, immoveable. 24 His heart is firm like stone, And firm like the nether millstone. 25 The mighty are afraid of his rising up; From alarm they miss their aim. Overpowering strength lodges on its neck, i.e., has its abiding place there, and before it despair, prop. melting away, dissolution (דּאבה from דּאב, Arab. ḏ'b = דּוּב Hiph., Arab. ḍ'b II, to bring into a loose condition, synon. חמס), dances hence, i.e., spring up and away (ידוּץ, Arab. jadisu, to run away), i.e., it spreads before it a despondency which produces terror, and deprives of…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification