Job
Job takes its name from its central figure, Iyov (אִיּוֹב). In the Hebrew Bible, Job belongs to the Ketuvim, or “Writings,” and is part of Israel’s wisdom tradition. The book wrestles with some of Scripture’s hardest questions about suffering, justice, and trusting God when life does not make sense. Through Job’s loss, his conversations with his friends, and God’s response, the book challenges the idea that suffering is always a direct punishment for personal sin. Job reveals the Lord as wise and sovereign beyond human understanding, while showing that we can bring our grief, questions, and confusion honestly before Him.
Job 40
Job Humbles Himself before the LORD
1 And the LORD said to Job:
2 “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.”
3 Then Job answered the LORD:
4 “Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth.
5 I have spoken once, but I have no answer — twice, but I have nothing to add.”
The LORD Challenges Job Again
6 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
7 “Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.
8 Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?
9 Do you have an arm like God’s? Can you thunder with a voice like His?
10 Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and clothe yourself with honor and glory.
11 Unleash the fury of your wrath; look on every proud man and bring him low.
12 Look on every proud man and humble him; trample the wicked where they stand.
13 Bury them together in the dust; imprison them in the grave.
14 Then I will confess to you that your own right hand can save you.
15 Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you. He feeds on grass like an ox.
16 See the strength of his loins and the power in the muscles of his belly.
17 His tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit.
18 His bones are tubes of bronze; his limbs are rods of iron.
19 He is the foremost of God’s works; only his Maker can draw the sword against him.
20 The hills yield him their produce, while all the beasts of the field play nearby.
21 He lies under the lotus plants, hidden among the reeds of the marsh.
22 The lotus plants conceal him in their shade; the willows of the brook surround him.
23 Though the river rages, Behemoth is unafraid; he remains secure, though the Jordan surges to his mouth.
24 Can anyone capture him as he looks on, or pierce his nose with a snare?[’’]
Footnotes:
40:7 Hebrew gird up your loins
40:7 Cited in Job 42:4
40:13 Or in the hidden place
40:19 Hebrew ways
40:21 Or bramble bushes; also in verse 22
40:22 Or poplars
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) printed 2016, 2020, 2022, 2025 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, unfoldingWord, Bible Aquifer, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. Free downloads and unlimited usage available. See also the Berean Literal Bible and Berean Interlinear Bible.Berean Standard Bible (BSB) • Audio narration by Barry Hays • Dedicated to the public domain (CC0)
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