Lectionary Calendar
Friday, August 15th, 2025
the Week of Proper 14 / Ordinary 19
the Week of Proper 14 / Ordinary 19
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Complete Jewish Bible
Job 41:30
class="poetry"> "Look, any hope [of capturing him] is futile — one would fall prostrate at the very sight of him. No one is fierce enough to rouse him, so who can stand up to me? Who has given me anything and made me pay it back? Everything belongs to me under all of heaven. "I have more to say about his limbs, his strong talk, and his matchless strength. Who can strip off his [scaly] garment? Who can enter his jaws? Who can pry open the doors of his face, so close to his terrible teeth? "His pride is his rows of scales, tightly sealed together — one is so close to the next that no air can come between them; they are stuck one to another, interlocked and impervious. "When he sneezes, light flashes out; his eyes are like the shimmer of dawn. From his mouth go fiery torches, and sparks come flying out. His nostrils belch steam like a caldron boiling on the fire. His breath sets coals ablaze; flames pour from his mouth. "Strength resides in his neck, and dismay dances ahead of him [as he goes]. The layers of his flesh stick together; they are firm on him, immovable. His heart is as hard as a stone, yes, hard as a lower millstone. When he rears himself up, the gods are afraid, beside themselves in despair. "If a sword touches him, it won't stick; neither will a spear, or a dart, or a lance. He regards iron as straw and bronze as rotten wood. An arrow can't make him flee; for him, slingstones are so much chaff. Clubs count as hay, and he laughs at a quivering javelin. His belly is as sharp as fragments of pottery, so he moves across the mud like a threshing-sledge. "He makes the depths seethe like a pot, he makes the sea [boil] like a perfume kettle. He leaves a shining wake behind him, making the deep seem to have white hair. "On earth there is nothing like him, a creature without fear. He looks straight at all high things. He is king over all proud beasts."
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Christian Standard Bible®
His undersides are jagged potsherds,spreading the mud like a threshing sledge.
His undersides are jagged potsherds,spreading the mud like a threshing sledge.
Hebrew Names Version
His undersides are like sharp potsherds, Leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.
His undersides are like sharp potsherds, Leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.
King James Version
Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
English Standard Version
His underparts are like sharp potsherds; he spreads himself like a threshing sledge on the mire.
His underparts are like sharp potsherds; he spreads himself like a threshing sledge on the mire.
New Century Version
The underside of its body is like broken pieces of pottery. It leaves a trail in the mud like a threshing board.
The underside of its body is like broken pieces of pottery. It leaves a trail in the mud like a threshing board.
New English Translation
Its underparts are the sharp points of potsherds, it leaves its mark in the mud like a threshing sledge.
Its underparts are the sharp points of potsherds, it leaves its mark in the mud like a threshing sledge.
Amplified Bible
"His underparts are like sharp pieces of broken pottery; He moves across and spreads out [grooves] like a threshing sledge on the mire (muddy river banks).
"His underparts are like sharp pieces of broken pottery; He moves across and spreads out [grooves] like a threshing sledge on the mire (muddy river banks).
New American Standard Bible
"His underparts are like sharp pieces of pottery; He spreads out like a threshing sledge on the mud.
"His underparts are like sharp pieces of pottery; He spreads out like a threshing sledge on the mud.
World English Bible
His undersides are like sharp potsherds, Leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.
His undersides are like sharp potsherds, Leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Sharpe stones are vnder him, and he spreadeth sharpe things vpon the myre.
Sharpe stones are vnder him, and he spreadeth sharpe things vpon the myre.
Legacy Standard Bible
Its underparts are like sharp potsherds;It spreads out like a threshing sledge on the mire.
Its underparts are like sharp potsherds;It spreads out like a threshing sledge on the mire.
Berean Standard Bible
His undersides are jagged potsherds, spreading out the mud like a threshing sledge.
His undersides are jagged potsherds, spreading out the mud like a threshing sledge.
Contemporary English Version
As it crawls through the mud, its sharp and spiny hide tears the ground apart.
As it crawls through the mud, its sharp and spiny hide tears the ground apart.
Darby Translation
His under parts are sharp potsherds: he spreadeth a threshing-sledge upon the mire.
His under parts are sharp potsherds: he spreadeth a threshing-sledge upon the mire.
Easy-to-Read Version
The skin on his belly is like sharp pieces of broken pottery. He leaves tracks in the mud like a threshing board.
The skin on his belly is like sharp pieces of broken pottery. He leaves tracks in the mud like a threshing board.
George Lamsa Translation
The bow cannot make him flee; he treats slingstones as stubble.
The bow cannot make him flee; he treats slingstones as stubble.
Good News Translation
The scales on his belly are like jagged pieces of pottery; they tear up the muddy ground like a threshing sledge.
The scales on his belly are like jagged pieces of pottery; they tear up the muddy ground like a threshing sledge.
Lexham English Bible
"Its underparts are shards of a potsherd; it moves over mud like a threshing sledge.
"Its underparts are shards of a potsherd; it moves over mud like a threshing sledge.
Literal Translation
Points of potsherds are under him; he spreads sharp marks on the mire.
Points of potsherds are under him; he spreads sharp marks on the mire.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
He treadeth the golde in the myre like ye sharpe potsherdes.
He treadeth the golde in the myre like ye sharpe potsherdes.
American Standard Version
His underparts are like sharp potsherds: He spreadeth as it were a threshing-wain upon the mire.
His underparts are like sharp potsherds: He spreadeth as it were a threshing-wain upon the mire.
Bible in Basic English
Under him are sharp edges of broken pots: as if he was pulling a grain-crushing instrument over the wet earth.
Under him are sharp edges of broken pots: as if he was pulling a grain-crushing instrument over the wet earth.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
span data-lang="eng" data-trans="jps" data-ref="job.41.1" class="versetxt"> Behold, the hope of him is in vain; shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him? None is so fierce that dare stir him up; who then is able to stand before Me? Who hath given Me anything beforehand, that I should repay him? Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is Mine. Would I keep silence concerning his boastings, or his proud talk, or his fair array of words? Who can uncover the face of his garment? Who shall come within his double bridle? Who can open the doors of his face? Round about his teeth is terror. His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal. One is so near to another, that no air can come between them. They are joined one to another; they stick together, that they cannot be sundered. His sneezings flash forth light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. Out of his mouth go burning torches, and sparks of fire leap forth. Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot and burning rushes. His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth. In his neck abideth strength, and dismay danceth before him. The flakes of his flesh are joined together; they are firm upon him; they cannot be moved. His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, firm as the nether millstone. When he raiseth himself up, the mighty are afraid; by reason of despair they are beside themselves. If one lay at him with the sword, it will not hold; nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft. He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood. The arrow cannot make him flee; slingstones are turned with him into stubble. Clubs are accounted as stubble; he laugheth at the rattling of the javelin. Sharpest potsherds are under him; he spreadeth a threshing-sledge upon the mire. He maketh the deep to boil like a pot; he maketh the sea like a seething mixture. He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary. Upon earth there is not his like, who is made to be fearless. He looketh at all high things; he is king over all the proud beasts.
span data-lang="eng" data-trans="jps" data-ref="job.41.1" class="versetxt"> Behold, the hope of him is in vain; shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him? None is so fierce that dare stir him up; who then is able to stand before Me? Who hath given Me anything beforehand, that I should repay him? Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is Mine. Would I keep silence concerning his boastings, or his proud talk, or his fair array of words? Who can uncover the face of his garment? Who shall come within his double bridle? Who can open the doors of his face? Round about his teeth is terror. His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal. One is so near to another, that no air can come between them. They are joined one to another; they stick together, that they cannot be sundered. His sneezings flash forth light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. Out of his mouth go burning torches, and sparks of fire leap forth. Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot and burning rushes. His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth. In his neck abideth strength, and dismay danceth before him. The flakes of his flesh are joined together; they are firm upon him; they cannot be moved. His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, firm as the nether millstone. When he raiseth himself up, the mighty are afraid; by reason of despair they are beside themselves. If one lay at him with the sword, it will not hold; nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft. He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood. The arrow cannot make him flee; slingstones are turned with him into stubble. Clubs are accounted as stubble; he laugheth at the rattling of the javelin. Sharpest potsherds are under him; he spreadeth a threshing-sledge upon the mire. He maketh the deep to boil like a pot; he maketh the sea like a seething mixture. He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary. Upon earth there is not his like, who is made to be fearless. He looketh at all high things; he is king over all the proud beasts.
King James Version (1611)
Sharpe stones are vnder him: he spreadeth sharpe pointed things vpon the mire.
Sharpe stones are vnder him: he spreadeth sharpe pointed things vpon the mire.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Sharpe stones are vnder him lyke potsheardes, and he lyeth vpon sharpe thinges as vpon the soft myre.
Sharpe stones are vnder him lyke potsheardes, and he lyeth vpon sharpe thinges as vpon the soft myre.
English Revised Version
His underparts are like sharp potsherds: he spreadeth as it were a threshing wain upon the mire.
His underparts are like sharp potsherds: he spreadeth as it were a threshing wain upon the mire.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
The beemys of the sunne schulen be vndur hym; and he schal strewe to hym silf gold as cley.
The beemys of the sunne schulen be vndur hym; and he schal strewe to hym silf gold as cley.
Update Bible Version
His underparts are [like] sharp potsherds: He spreads [as it were] a threshing-wain on the mire.
His underparts are [like] sharp potsherds: He spreads [as it were] a threshing-wain on the mire.
Webster's Bible Translation
Sharp stones [are] under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
Sharp stones [are] under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
New King James Version
His undersides are like sharp potsherds; He spreads pointed marks in the mire.
His undersides are like sharp potsherds; He spreads pointed marks in the mire.
New Living Translation
Its belly is covered with scales as sharp as glass. It plows up the ground as it drags through the mud.
Its belly is covered with scales as sharp as glass. It plows up the ground as it drags through the mud.
New Life Bible
The parts under him are like sharp pieces of a pot. He spreads out like a grain crusher on the mud.
The parts under him are like sharp pieces of a pot. He spreads out like a grain crusher on the mud.
New Revised Standard
Its underparts are like sharp potsherds; it spreads itself like a threshing sledge on the mire.
Its underparts are like sharp potsherds; it spreads itself like a threshing sledge on the mire.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
His underparts, are points of potsherd, a pointed threshing roller spreadeth out upon the slime:
His underparts, are points of potsherd, a pointed threshing roller spreadeth out upon the slime:
Douay-Rheims Bible
(41-21) The beams of the sun shall be under him, and he shall strew gold under him like mire.
(41-21) The beams of the sun shall be under him, and he shall strew gold under him like mire.
Revised Standard Version
His underparts are like sharp potsherds; he spreads himself like a threshing sledge on the mire.
His underparts are like sharp potsherds; he spreads himself like a threshing sledge on the mire.
Young's Literal Translation
Under him [are] sharp points of clay, He spreadeth gold on the mire.
Under him [are] sharp points of clay, He spreadeth gold on the mire.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"His underparts are like sharp potsherds; He spreads out like a threshing sledge on the mire.
"His underparts are like sharp potsherds; He spreads out like a threshing sledge on the mire.
Contextual Overview
11 From his mouth go fiery torches, and sparks come flying out. 12 His nostrils belch steam like a caldron boiling on the fire. 13 His breath sets coals ablaze; flames pour from his mouth. 14 "Strength resides in his neck, and dismay dances ahead of him [as he goes]. 15 The layers of his flesh stick together; they are firm on him, immovable. 16 His heart is as hard as a stone, yes, hard as a lower millstone. 17 When he rears himself up, the gods are afraid, beside themselves in despair. 18 "If a sword touches him, it won't stick; neither will a spear, or a dart, or a lance. 19 He regards iron as straw and bronze as rotten wood. 20 An arrow can't make him flee; for him, slingstones are so much chaff.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Sharp stones: Heb. Sharp pieces of potsherd
he: So hard and impenetrable are his scales, that splinters of flint are the same to him as the softest reeds.
Cross-References
Genesis 41:21
But after they had eaten them up, one couldn't tell that they had eaten them; because they were as miserable-looking as before. At this point I woke up.
But after they had eaten them up, one couldn't tell that they had eaten them; because they were as miserable-looking as before. At this point I woke up.
Genesis 41:27
Likewise the seven lean and miserable-looking cows that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven empty ears blasted by the east wind — there will be seven years of famine.
Likewise the seven lean and miserable-looking cows that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven empty ears blasted by the east wind — there will be seven years of famine.
Genesis 41:51
Yosef called the firstborn M'nasheh [causing to forget], "Because God has caused me to forget all the troubles I suffered at the hands of my family."
Yosef called the firstborn M'nasheh [causing to forget], "Because God has caused me to forget all the troubles I suffered at the hands of my family."
Genesis 41:54
and the seven years of famine began to come, just as Yosef had said. There was famine in all lands, but throughout the land of Egypt there was food.
and the seven years of famine began to come, just as Yosef had said. There was famine in all lands, but throughout the land of Egypt there was food.
Genesis 41:56
The famine was over all the earth, but then Yosef opened all the storehouses and sold food to the Egyptians, since the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.
The famine was over all the earth, but then Yosef opened all the storehouses and sold food to the Egyptians, since the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.
Genesis 47:13
There was no food anywhere, for the famine was very severe, so that both Egypt and Kena‘an grew weak from hunger.
There was no food anywhere, for the famine was very severe, so that both Egypt and Kena‘an grew weak from hunger.
2 Samuel 24:13
Gad came to David and told him; he said: "Do you want seven years of famine in your land? or do you want to flee before your enemies for three months while they pursue you? or do you want three days of plague in your land? Think about it, and tell me what to answer the one who sent me."
Gad came to David and told him; he said: "Do you want seven years of famine in your land? or do you want to flee before your enemies for three months while they pursue you? or do you want three days of plague in your land? Think about it, and tell me what to answer the one who sent me."
1 Kings 17:1
Eliyahu from Tishbe, an inhabitant of Gil‘ad, said to Ach'av, "As Adonai the God of Isra'el lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither rain nor dew in the years ahead unless I say so."
Eliyahu from Tishbe, an inhabitant of Gil‘ad, said to Ach'av, "As Adonai the God of Isra'el lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither rain nor dew in the years ahead unless I say so."
2 Kings 8:1
Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, "Move away, you and your household, and stay wherever you can; because Adonai has called for a famine; and it will be on the land for seven years."
Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, "Move away, you and your household, and stay wherever you can; because Adonai has called for a famine; and it will be on the land for seven years."
Psalms 105:16
He called down famine on the land, broke off all their food supply,
He called down famine on the land, broke off all their food supply,
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Sharp stones [are] under him,.... And yet give him no pain nor uneasiness;
he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire; and makes his bed of them and lies upon them; as sharp stones, as before, shells of fishes, broken pieces of darts, arrows, and javelins thrown at him, which fall around him: this does not so well agree with the crocodile, the skin of whose belly is soft and thin; wherefore dolphins plunge under it and cut it with a thorn, as Pliny h relates, or with spiny fins i; but with the whale, which lies among hard rocks and sharp stones, and large cutting pieces of ice, as in the northern seas.
h Nat. Hist. l. 8. c. 25. i Sandys's Travels, l. 2. p. 78.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Sharp stones are under him - Margin, as in Hebrew, “pieces of pot sherd.” The Hebrew word (חדוד chaddûd), means “sharp, pointed”; and the phrase used here means “the sharp points of a potsherd,” or broken pieces of earthenware. The reference is, undoubtedly, to the scales of the animal, which were rough and pointed, like the broken pieces of earthenware. This description would not agree with the whale, and indeed will accord with no other animal so well as with the crocodile. The meaning is, that the under parts of his body, with which he rests upon the mire, are made up of sharp, pointed things, like broken pottery.
He spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire - That is, when he rests or stretches himself on the mud or slime of the bank of the river. The word used here and rendered “sharp pointed things” (חרוץ chârûts) means properly something “cut in;” then something sharpened or pointed; and is used to denote “a threshing sledge;” see this instrument described in Isaiah 28:27-28, note; Isaiah 41:15, note. It is not certain, however, that there is any allusion here to that instrument. It is rather to anything that is rough or pointed, and refers to the lower part of the animal as having this character. The Vulgate renders this, “Beneath him are the rays of the sun, and he reposeth on gold as on clay.” Dr. Harris, Dr. Good, and Prof. Lee, suppose it refers to what the animal lies on, meaning that he lies on splinters of rock and broken stone with as much readiness and ease as if it were clay. But the above seems to me to be the true interpretation. It is that of Gesenius, Rosenmuller, and Umbreit. Grotius understands it as meaning that the weapons thrown at him lie around him like broken pieces of pottery.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Job 41:30. Sharp stones are under him — So hard and impenetrable are his scales, that splinters of flint are the same to him as the softest reeds.
