Job 41:28

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 41:28 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The arrow cannot make him flee: Sling-stones are turned with him into stubble.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The arrow cannot make him flee: Sling-stones are turned with him into stubble.
Job 41:28 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 41

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
28The arrow cannot make him flee: Sling-stones are turned with him into stubble.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The arrow cannot make him flee, etc.] The skin of the crocodile is so hard, as Peter Martyr says, that it cannot be pierced with arrows, as before observed; therefore it is not afraid of them, nor will flee from them; slingstones are turned with him into stubble; are no more regarded by him than if stubble was cast at him; not only stones out of a sling, but out of an engine; and such is the hardness of the skin of the crocodile, that, as Isidore says f1564, the strokes of the strongest stones are rebounded by it, yea, even it is said to withstand against musket shot f1565.”
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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
“arrow--literally, "son of the bow"; Oriental imagery (Lam 3:13; Margin). stubble--Arrows produce no more effect than it would to throw stubble at him.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The arrow - Hebrew “the son of the bow.” So Lamentations 3:13, margin. This use of the word son is common in the Scriptures and in all Oriental poetry. Sling-stones - The sling was early used in war and in hunting, and by skill and practice it could be so employed as to be a formidable weapon; see Judges 20:16; 1Sa 17:40, 1 Samuel 17:49. As one of the weapons of attack on a foe it is mentioned here, though there is no evidence that the sling was ever actually used in endeavoring to destroy the crocodile. The meaning is, that all the common weapons used by men in attacking an enemy had no effect on him. Are turned with him into stubble - Produce no more effect on him than it would to throw…”
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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
“Turned - Hurt him no more than a blow with a little stubble. Job 41:30”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“slingstones: Job 39:7; Hab 1:10 Job 41:29”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification