Job - 41:21



21 His breath kindles coals. A flame goes forth from his mouth.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Job 41:21.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.
His breath kindleth coals, and a flame issueth from his mouth.
His breath setteth coals on fire, And a flame from his mouth goeth forth.
His breath puts fire to coals, and a flame goes out of his mouth.
His breath causes coal to burn, and a flame comes forth from his mouth.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

His breath kindleth coals - It seems to be a flame, and to set on fire all around it. So Hesiod, "Theog." i. 319, describing the creation of the Chimera, speaks of it as
πνέουσαν ἀμαισάκετον πῦρ
pneousan amaimaketon pur.
"Breathing unquenchable fire," So Virgil, "Georg." ii. 140:
Haec loca non tauri spirantes naribus ignem Invertere.
"Bulls breathing fire these furrows ne'er have known."
Warton
A similar phrase is found in a sublime description of the anger of the Almighty, in Psalm 18:8 :
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils,
And fire out of his mouth devoured:
Coals were kindled by it.

His breath kindles coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth. Hyperbolical expressions, which the above observations may seem to justify.

kindleth coals--poetical imagery (Psalm 18:8).

Kindleth coals - An hyperbolical expression, denoting extraordinary heat.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


Discussion on Job 41:21

User discussion of the verse.






*By clicking Submit, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use.