Page 39 - The Poetic Books - Student Text

What was Job’s Behemoth?

Commentators speculate about the size of crocodiles “in the ancient times, when the race was without
doubt of an unmanageable size.” They do their best to connect reality and metaphor.
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“Bartram has observed on the alligator, that as it comes on the land a thick smoke
issues from its distended nostrils with a thundering sound. This thick, hot steam,
according to the credible description which is presented here, produces the impression
of a fire existing beneath, and bursting forth. The subjective truth of this impression is
faithfully but poetically reproduced by the poet.”
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In both cases, as well as others, it is difficult for us to know how much is metaphor. We live in a different
time than either Job or John. We have somewhat different mental constructs than they did. God first
spoke to them. Surely, he spoke in ways they could understand. It would do little good to refer to
automobiles or battleships or computers when speaking to ancient peoples. The result would be
confusion instead of revelation. So, as we read these ancient texts, we must read first with an ancient
vocabulary and perspective, especially when it comes to texts with a lot of imagery. We must not rule
out as well the possibility of creatures living back then that are no longer.

The point in Job is clear. Consider the greatest beasts imaginable. God is the only one who can create
them, direct them, and subdue them. He does so with his power and wisdom as well as his justice and
righteousness. Yahweh does not turn off one of his characteristics when using the others. His power is
wise power, righteous power, and just power. Since Job and his friends were in agreement on the power

55 F. Delitzsch, Job (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1975), 369.
56 Ibid., 374
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