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Job 41:27

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 41:27 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He counteth iron as straw, [And] brass as rotten wood.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He counteth iron as straw, [And] brass as rotten wood.
Job 41:27 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 41

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
24His heart is as firm as a stone; Yea, firm as the nether millstone.
25When he raiseth himself up, the mighty are afraid: By reason of consternation they are beside themselves.
26If one lay at him with the sword, it cannot avail; Nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft.
27He counteth iron as straw, [And] brass as rotten wood.
28The arrow cannot make him flee: Sling-stones are turned with him into stubble.
29Clubs are counted as stubble: He laugheth at the rushing of the javelin.
30His underparts are [like] sharp potsherds: He spreadeth [as it were] a threshing-wain upon the mire.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He esteemeth iron as straw, etc.] You may as well cast a straw at him as a bar of iron; it will make no impression on his steeled back, which is as a coat of mail to him; so Eustathius affirms f1563 that the sharpest iron is rebounded and blunted by him; [and] brass as rotten wood; or steel, any instrument made of it, though ever so strong or piercing.”
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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
“iron . . . brass--namely, weapons.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He esteemeth iron as straw - He regards instruments made of iron and brass as if they were straw or rotten wood. That is, they make no impression on him. This will agree better with the crocodile than any other animal. So hard is his skin, that a musket-ball will not penetrate it; see numerous quotations proving the hardness of the skin of the crooodile, in Bochart. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification