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His breath kindles coals. A flame goes forth from his mouth.
Verse Takeaways
1
Poetic, Not Literal, Fire
Commentators explain that the description of Leviathan's fiery breath is a powerful poetic hyperbole, not a literal biological fact. Albert Barnes notes this type of imagery was common in ancient literature to depict fearsome creatures and is even used to describe God's power in Psalm 18:8. The language is meant to convey overwhelming force and terror.
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Book Overview
Job
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4
18th Century
Presbyterian
His breath kindles coals - It seems to be a flame, and to set on fire all around it. So Hesiod, in his Theogony (1.319), describing the crea…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
His breath kindles coals, and a flame goes out of hismouth . ] Hyperbolical expressio…
The description of the Leviathan is further to convince Job of his own weakness and of God's almighty power. Whether this Leviathan is a whale or a…
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13th Century
Catholic
After describing the structure of Leviathan, the Lord next describes its powerful actions. Just as He first described the arrangement of its head a…
