15 "Look at the land beast, Behemoth. I created him as well as you. Grazing on grass, docile as a cow - 16 Just look at the strength of his back, the powerful muscles of his belly. 17 His tail sways like a cedar in the wind; his huge legs are like beech trees. 18 His skeleton is made of steel, every bone in his body hard as steel. 19 Most magnificent of all my creatures, but I still lead him around like a lamb! 20 The grass-covered hills serve him meals, while field mice frolic in his shadow. 21 He takes afternoon naps under shade trees, cools himself in the reedy swamps, 22 Lazily cool in the leafy shadows as the breeze moves through the willows. 23 And when the river rages he doesn't budge, stolid and unperturbed even when the Jordan goes wild. 24 But you'd never want him for a pet - you'd never be able to housebreak him!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 40:15-24
Commentary on Job 40:15-24
(Read Job 40:15-24)
God, for the further proving of his own power, describes two vast animals, far exceeding man in bulk and strength. Behemoth signifies beasts. Most understand it of an animal well known in Egypt, called the river-horse, or hippopotamus. This vast animal is noticed as an argument to humble ourselves before the great God; for he created this vast animal, which is so fearfully and wonderfully made. Whatever strength this or any other creature has, it is derived from God. He that made the soul of man, knows all the ways to it, and can make the sword of justice, his wrath, to approach and touch it. Every godly man has spiritual weapons, the whole armour of God, to resist, yea, to overcome the tempter, that his never-dying soul may be safe, whatever becomes of his frail flesh and mortal body.