Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.

JOB 40:23KJV
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Job 40:23 (KJV)

What does Job 40:23 mean?

Job 40:23 describes a creature so powerful and unafraid that it could drink up a whole river and not be alarmed, even imagining it could swallow the Jordan River in its mouth. The verse uses vivid language to show the creature’s strength and fearlessness in the face of overwhelming natural forces.

In this part of the book of Job, God is speaking to Job, describing a mighty animal—often called Behemoth—to illustrate Job’s smallness compared to God’s creation. The verse’s imagery emphasizes how this animal is not threatened by things that would terrify humans, highlighting the difference between human and divine power.

The Hebrew behind Job 40:23

  • "River" (נָהָר, nāhār): This word refers to a large river, and here it likely points to the Jordan River, which was the most significant river in the region. The mention of such a major river makes the creature’s supposed ability to drink it up even more impressive.
  • "Trusteth" (בָּטַח, bāṭaḥ): This word means to feel secure or confident. The verse paints the creature as so confident in its strength that it does not fear even the mightiest river.
  • "Jordan" (יַרְדֵּן, yardēn): Naming the Jordan River specifically grounds the verse in a real, well-known place, making the description more vivid and relatable for the original audience.

Why Job 40:23 matters

  • Job 40:23 clears up that the description is not literal but uses exaggerated imagery to stress the unmatched power and confidence of the Behemoth.
  • The verse emphasizes God’s point that Job cannot control or understand all of creation, reminding Job of his limited perspective.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme of God’s speeches in Job, which focus on the greatness of God’s works and the humility required from humans in response.

Where else these words appear

“up” Hebrew H1518 · used in 6 verses

  • Judges 20:33 And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah.
  • Job 38:8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
  • Ezekiel 32:2 Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say unto him, Thou art like a young lion of the nations, and thou art as a whale in the seas: and thou camest forth with thy rivers, and troubledst the waters with thy feet, and fouledst their rivers.

“hasteth” Hebrew H2648 · used in 9 verses

  • Deuteronomy 20:3 And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
  • 2 Samuel 4:4 And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.
  • Psalms 48:5 They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.

“up” Hebrew H6231 · used in 35 verses

  • Leviticus 6:2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;
  • Psalms 103:6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
  • Isaiah 52:4 For thus saith the Lord GOD, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.

“river” Hebrew H5104 · used in 109 verses

  • Genesis 2:10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
  • Ezra 8:31 Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.
  • Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.