Job 41:8

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Job 41:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Lay thy hand upon him; Remember the battle, and do so no more.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Lay thy hand upon him; Remember the battle, and do so no more.
Job 41:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Job 41

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8Lay thy hand upon him; Remember the battle, and do so no more.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Lay thine hand upon him, etc.] If thou canst or darest. It is dangerous so to do, either to the whale or crocodile; remember the battle; or “look for war”, as Mr. Broughton renders it; expect a fight will ensue, in which thou wilt have no share with this creature: do no more; if thou canst by any means escape, take care never to do the like again; or thou wilt never do so any more, thou wilt certainly die for it.”
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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
“If thou lay . . . thou wilt have reason ever to remember . . . and thou wilt never try it again.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Lay thine hand upon him - Prof. Lee renders this, very improperly, as it seems to me, “Lay thine hand on thy mouth respecting him,” supposing it means that he should be awed into silence by dread of the animal referred to. But the meaning of the passage evidently is, “Endeavor to seize him by laying the hand on him, and you will soon desist from the fearful conflict, and will not renew it.” Remember the battle - Remember what a fearful conflict will ensue. Perhaps there is an allusion to some fact fresh in the mind of Job, where such an attempt had been made to secure the leviathan, attended with fearful disaster to those who had made the attempt. Do no more - Or, rather, “Thou wilt not do…”
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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
“Lay - Seize upon him, if thou darest. Battle - But ere thou attempt it consider what thou art doing, and with whom, thou art going to fight. Do no more - Proceed no farther, draw back thy hand. Job 41:9”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Kg1 20:11; Kg2 10:4; Luk 14:31, Luk 14:32 Job 41:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification