Bible Strands
Job 41:9
Surely hope of overcoming him is false. Is not the sight of him overwhelming?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God speaks to Job during a monologue describing the unapproachable power of Leviathan, immediately following a warning against attempting to subdue the creature.
The words — תֹּחַלְתּ֥/וֹ (to.chal.T/o) = hope/ his and נִכְזָ֑בָה (nikh.Za.vah) = it is proved a lie form the opening declaration that human expectation of victory is baseless.
The thread — The motif of overwhelming terror appears in Deuteronomy 28:34 (sight inducing madness), 1 Samuel 3:11 (hearing inducing dread), and Isaiah 28:19 (terror from a sweeping divine message).
Why it lands — The text states that hope of defeating Leviathan is false and its mere appearance throws people down, requiring the reader to acknowledge human limitation before divine power.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 28:34 You will be driven mad by the sights you see.
- 1 Samuel 3:11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do something in Israel at which the ears of all who hear it will tingle.
- Isaiah 28:19 As often as it passes through, it will carry you away; it will sweep through morning after morning, by day and by night.” The understanding of this message will bring sheer terror.
- Luke 21:11 There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.