Wesley Corpus

Chapter XLI To convince Job of his wickedness, he is here challenged to subdue and tame the leviathan, ver. 1 - 10. A particular description of him. ver. 11 - 34. Leviathan - Several particulars in the following description, agree far better with the crocodile, than the whale. It is highly probable, that this is the creature here spoken of. Cord - Canst thou take him with a hook and a line, as anglers take ordinary fishes. Thorn - Or, with an iron hook, or instrument as sharp as a thorn; wherewith thou usest to carry little fishes. Supplications - Doth he dread thine anger or power Or will he earnestly beg thy favour It is a metaphor from men in distress, who use these means to them to whose power they are subject. Fill - A whale's you may: but the skin of a crocodile is so hard that an iron or spear will not pierce it. 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. Hope - The hope of taking or conquering him. Stand - To the battle. Me - To contend with me who created him Prevented - Hath laid the first obligation upon me, for which I am indebted to him. Who can be before - hand with me in kindnesses, since all things under heaven are mine. Discover - Or, uncover, or take off from him. Face - The upper or outward part of his garment, or, the garment itself: the word face being often redundant. And by the garment is meant the skin which covers the whole body; who dare attempt to touch his very skin Much less to give him a wound. His double bridle - His fast jaws, which have some resemblance to a double bridle: whence the Greeks call those parts of the face which reach to the jaws on both sides, the bridles. Doors - His mouth. If it be open, none dare enter within, and if it be shut, none dare open it. Shut - Closely compacted together, as things that are fastened together by a seal.