SEV Biblia, Chapter 41:1
¶ ¿Sacarás tú al leviatán con el anzuelo, o con la cuerda que le echares en su lengua?
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Job 41:1
Verse 1. Canst thou draw out leviathan ] We come now to a subject not less perplexing than that over which we have passed, and a subject on which learned men are less agreed than on the preceding. What is leviathan? The Hebrew word tywl livyathan is retained by the Vulgate and the Chaldee. The Septuagint have, axeis de drakonta; "Canst thou draw out the DRAGON?" The Syriac and Arabic have the same. A species of whale has been supposed to be the creature in question; but the description suits no animal but the crocodile or alligator; and it is not necessary to seek elsewhere. The crocodile is a natural inhabitant of the Nile, and other Asiatic and African rivers. It is a creature of enormous voracity and strength, as well as fleetness in swimming. He will attack the largest animals, and even men, with the most daring impetuosity. In proportion to his size he has the largest mouth of all monsters. The upper jaw is armed with forty sharp strong teeth, and the under jaw with thirty- eight. He is clothed with such a coat of mail as cannot be pierced, and can in every direction resist a musket-ball. The Hebrew ywl levi t ten signifies the coupled dragon; but what this is we know not, unless the crocodile be meant With a hook - That crocodiles were caught with a baited hook, at least one species of crocodile, we have the testimony of Herodotus, lib. ii., c. l20: epean nwton suov deleash peri agkistron, metiei ev meson ton potamon, k. t. l. "They take the back or chine of a swine, and bait a hook with it, and throw it into the midst of the river; and the fisherman stands at some distance on the shore holding a young pig, which he irritates, in order to make it squeak. When the crocodile hears this he immediately makes towards the sound; and, finding the baited hook in his way, swallows it, and is then drawn to land, when they dash mud into his eyes, and blind him; after which he is soon despatched." In this way it seems leviathan was drawn out by a hook: but it was undoubtedly both a difficult and dangerous work, and but barely practicable In the way in which Herodotus relates the matter.
Or his tongue with a cord ] It is probable that, when the animal was taken, they had some method of casting a noose round his tongue, when opening his mouth; or piercing it with some barbed instrument. Thevenot says that in order to take the crocodile they dig holes on the banks of the river, and cover them with sticks. The crocodiles fall into these, and cannot get out. They leave them there for several days without food, and then let down nooses which they pitch on their jaws, and thus draw them out.
This is probably what is meant here.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Concerning Leviathan. --The description of the Leviathan, is yet further to convince Job of his own weakness, and of God's almighty power. Whether this Leviatha be a whale or a crocodile, is disputed. The Lord, having showed Job ho unable he was to deal with the Leviathan, sets forth his own power in that mighty creature. If such language describes the terrible force of Leviathan, what words can express the power of God's wrath? Under humbling sense of our own vileness, let us revere the Divine Majesty take and fill our allotted place, cease from our own wisdom, and giv all glory to our gracious God and Saviour. Remembering from whom ever good gift cometh, and for what end it was given, let us walk humbl with the Lord __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
תמשׁך 4900 לויתן 3882 בחכה 2443 ובחבל 2256 תשׁקיע 8257 לשׁנו׃ 3956
