"Canst Thou Draw Out Leviathan With An Hook?"

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

Last Updated on May 24, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. Word Count: 214

Context: Job, a righteous man in the land of Uz, has lost his wealth and children and suffered the agony of boils because Satan has wagered God that with suffering Job would turn against his Creator. Firmly refusing to curse God, yet lamenting his miserable state, Job listens to the condemnation of three friends, but insists on his innocence and the injustice of his agony. Elihu, a fellow countryman, declares that suffering warns the sinner from the pit, that Job has presumed to judge God, that God can do no wrong, and that man is incapable of understanding the wisdom of God. Speaking to Job from the whirlwind, the Almighty reminds him of his littleness and asks whether he is so great that he would dare to tamper with the monstrous sea creature.

Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

See eNotes Ad-Free

Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Previous

"Can There Any Good Thing Come Out Of Nazareth?"

Next

"Clean Hands And A Pure Heart"