15 "Take a look at Behemoth, which I made, just as I made you. It eats grass like an ox. 16 See its powerful loins and the muscles of its belly. 17 Its tail is as strong as a cedar. The sinews of its thighs are knit tightly together. 18 Its bones are tubes of bronze. Its limbs are bars of iron. 19 It is a prime example of God's handiwork, and only its Creator can threaten it. 20 The mountains offer it their best food, where all the wild animals play. 21 It lies under the lotus plants, hidden by the reeds in the marsh. 22 The lotus plants give it shade among the willows beside the stream. 23 It is not disturbed by the raging river, not concerned when the swelling Jordan rushes around it. 24 No one can catch it off guard or put a ring in its nose and lead it away.
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.