John Gill Commentary Job 41:20

"Out of his nostrils a smoke goeth, As of a boiling pot and [burning] rushes." — Job 41:20 (ASV)

Out of his nostrils goes forth smoke, as [out] of a seething pot or caldron. In which flesh or anything else is boiling.

It is observed that there is a likeness between the crocodile and the river horse, and particularly in their breathing ^F21. And of the former it is remarked ^F23, that its nostrils are very large and open, and that they breathe out a fiery smoke, as out of a furnace.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F21: Plin. l. 48. c. 8. Aristot. Hist. Animal. l. 8. c. 2.
• F23: Achilles Statius & Eustathius, apud Scheuchzer: ut supra. (vol. 4. p. 849.)