Job 38

וַיַּעַן־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֶת־אִ֭יּוֹב (מנהסערה) [מִ֥ן ׀ הַסְּעָרָ֗ה] וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Then the LORD replied to Job out of the tempest and said:

מִ֤י זֶ֨ה ׀ מַחְשִׁ֖יךְ עֵצָ֥ה בְמִלִּ֗ין בְּֽלִי־דָֽעַת׃ Who is this who darkens counsel,
Speaking without knowledge?

אֱזׇר־נָ֣א כְגֶ֣בֶר חֲלָצֶ֑יךָ וְ֝אֶשְׁאָלְךָ֗ וְהוֹדִיעֵֽנִי׃ Gird your loins like a man;
I will ask and you will inform Me.

אֵיפֹ֣ה הָ֭יִיתָ בְּיׇסְדִי־אָ֑רֶץ הַ֝גֵּ֗ד אִם־יָדַ֥עְתָּ בִינָֽה׃ Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations?
Speak if you have understanding.

מִי־שָׂ֣ם מְ֭מַדֶּיהָ כִּ֣י תֵדָ֑ע א֤וֹ מִֽי־נָטָ֖ה עָלֶ֣יהָ קָּֽו׃ Do you know who fixed its dimensions
Or who measured it with a line?

עַל־מָ֭ה אֲדָנֶ֣יהָ הׇטְבָּ֑עוּ א֥וֹ מִי־יָ֝רָ֗ה אֶ֣בֶן פִּנָּתָֽהּ׃ Onto what were its bases sunk?
Who set its cornerstone

בְּרׇן־יַ֭חַד כּ֣וֹכְבֵי בֹ֑קֶר וַ֝יָּרִ֗יעוּ כׇּל־בְּנֵ֥י אֱלֹהִֽים׃ When the morning stars sang together
And all the divine beings shouted for joy?

וַיָּ֣סֶךְ בִּדְלָתַ֣יִם יָ֑ם בְּ֝גִיח֗וֹ מֵרֶ֥חֶם יֵצֵֽא׃ Who closed the sea behind doors
When it gushed forth out of the womb,

בְּשׂוּמִ֣י עָנָ֣ן לְבֻשׁ֑וֹ וַ֝עֲרָפֶ֗ל חֲתֻלָּתֽוֹ׃ When I clothed it in clouds,
Swaddled it in dense clouds,

וָאֶשְׁבֹּ֣ר עָלָ֣יו חֻקִּ֑י וָ֝אָשִׂ֗ים בְּרִ֣יחַ וּדְלָתָֽיִם׃ When I made breakers My limit for it,
And set up its bar and doors,

וָאֹמַ֗ר עַד־פֹּ֣ה תָ֭בוֹא וְלֹ֣א תֹסִ֑יף וּפֹא־יָ֝שִׁ֗ית בִּגְא֥וֹן גַּלֶּֽיךָ׃ And said, “You may come so far and no farther;
Here your surging waves will stop”?

הֲֽ֭מִיָּמֶיךָ צִוִּ֣יתָ בֹּ֑קֶר (ידעתה שחר) [יִדַּ֖עְתָּ הַשַּׁ֣חַר] מְקֹמֽוֹ׃ Have you ever commanded the day to break,
Assigned the dawn its place,

לֶ֭אֱחֹז בְּכַנְפ֣וֹת הָאָ֑רֶץ וְיִנָּעֲר֖וּ רְשָׁ^עִ֣ים מִמֶּֽנָּה׃ So that it seizes the corners of the earth
And shakes the wicked out of it?

תִּ֭תְהַפֵּךְ כְּחֹ֣מֶר חוֹתָ֑ם וְ֝יִֽתְיַצְּב֗וּ כְּמ֣וֹ לְבֽוּשׁ׃ It changes like clay under the seal
Till [its hues] are fixed like those of a garment.

וְיִמָּנַ֣ע מֵרְשָׁ^עִ֣ים אוֹרָ֑ם וּזְר֥וֹעַ רָ֝מָ֗ה תִּשָּׁבֵֽר׃ Their light is withheld from the wicked,
And the upraised arm is broken.

הֲ֭בָאתָ עַד־נִבְכֵי־יָ֑ם וּבְחֵ֥קֶר תְּ֝ה֗וֹם הִתְהַלָּֽכְתָּ׃ Have you penetrated to the sources of the sea,
Or walked in the recesses of the deep?

הֲנִגְל֣וּ לְ֭ךָ שַׁעֲרֵי־מָ֑וֶת וְשַׁעֲרֵ֖י צַלְמָ֣וֶת תִּרְאֶֽה׃ Have the gates of death been disclosed to you?
Have you seen the gates of deep darkness?

הִ֭תְבֹּנַנְתָּ עַד־רַחֲבֵי־אָ֑רֶץ הַ֝גֵּ֗ד אִם־יָדַ֥עְתָּ כֻלָּֽהּ׃ Have you surveyed the expanses of the earth?
If you know of these—tell Me.

אֵי־זֶ֣ה הַ֭דֶּרֶךְ יִשְׁכׇּן־א֑וֹר וְ֝חֹ֗שֶׁךְ אֵי־זֶ֥ה מְקֹמֽוֹ׃ Which path leads to where light dwells,
And where is the place of darkness,

כִּ֣י תִ֭קָּחֶנּוּ אֶל־גְּבוּל֑וֹ וְכִי־תָ֝בִ֗ין נְתִיב֥וֹת בֵּיתֽוֹ׃ That you may take it to its domain
And know the way to its home?

יָ֭דַעְתָּ כִּי־אָ֣ז תִּוָּלֵ֑ד וּמִסְפַּ֖ר יָמֶ֣יךָ רַבִּֽים׃ Surely you know, for you were born then,
And the number of your years is many!

הֲ֭בָאתָ אֶל־אֹצְר֣וֹת שָׁ֑לֶג וְאוֹצְר֖וֹת בָּרָ֣ד תִּרְאֶֽה׃ Have you penetrated the vaults of snow,
Seen the vaults of hail,

אֲשֶׁר־חָשַׂ֥כְתִּי לְעֶת־צָ֑ר לְי֥וֹם קְ֝רָ֗ב וּמִלְחָמָֽה׃ Which I have put aside for a time of adversity,
For a day of war and battle?

אֵי־זֶ֣ה הַ֭דֶּרֶךְ יֵחָ֣לֶק א֑וֹר יָפֵ֖ץ קָדִ֣ים עֲלֵי־אָֽרֶץ׃ By what path is the west wind^aAs Aramaic ’urya. dispersed,
The east wind scattered over the earth?

מִֽי־פִלַּ֣ג לַשֶּׁ֣טֶף תְּעָלָ֑ה וְ֝דֶ֗רֶךְ לַחֲזִ֥יז קֹלֽוֹת׃ Who cut a channel for the torrents
And a path for the thunderstorms,

לְ֭הַמְטִיר עַל־אֶ֣רֶץ לֹא־אִ֑ישׁ מִ֝דְבָּ֗ר לֹא־אָדָ֥ם בּֽוֹ׃ To rain down on uninhabited land,
On the wilderness where no man is,

לְהַשְׂבִּ֣יעַ שֹׁ֭אָה וּמְשֹׁאָ֑ה וּ֝לְהַצְמִ֗יחַ מֹ֣צָא דֶֽשֶׁא׃ To saturate the desolate wasteland,
And make the crop of grass sprout forth?

הֲיֵשׁ־לַמָּטָ֥ר אָ֑ב א֥וֹ מִי־ה֝וֹלִ֗יד אֶגְלֵי־טָֽל׃ Does the rain have a father?
Who begot the dewdrops?

מִבֶּ֣טֶן מִ֭י יָצָ֣א הַקָּ֑רַח וּכְפֹ֥ר שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם מִ֣י יְלָדֽוֹ׃ From whose belly came forth the ice?
Who gave birth to the frost of heaven?

כָּ֭אֶבֶן מַ֣יִם יִתְחַבָּ֑אוּ וּפְנֵ֥י תְ֝ה֗וֹם יִתְלַכָּֽדוּ׃ Water congeals like stone,
And the surface of the deep compacts.

הַֽ֭תְקַשֵּׁר מַעֲדַנּ֣וֹת כִּימָ֑ה אֽוֹ־מֹשְׁכ֖וֹת כְּסִ֣יל תְּפַתֵּֽחַ׃ Can you tie cords to Pleiades
Or undo the reins of Orion?

הֲתֹצִ֣יא מַזָּר֣וֹת בְּעִתּ֑וֹ וְ֝עַ֗יִשׁ עַל־בָּנֶ֥יהָ תַנְחֵֽם׃ Can you lead out Mazzaroth^bEvidently a constellation. in its season,
Conduct the Bear with her sons?

הֲ֭יָדַעְתָּ חֻקּ֣וֹת שָׁמָ֑יִם אִם־תָּשִׂ֖ים מִשְׁטָר֣וֹ בָאָֽרֶץ׃ Do you know the laws of heaven
Or impose its authority on earth?

הֲתָרִ֣ים לָעָ֣ב קוֹלֶ֑ךָ וְֽשִׁפְעַת־מַ֥יִם תְּכַסֶּֽךָּ׃ Can you send up an order to the clouds
For an abundance of water to cover you?

הַֽתְשַׁלַּ֣ח בְּרָקִ֣ים וְיֵלֵ֑כוּ וְיֹאמְר֖וּ לְךָ֣ הִנֵּֽנוּ׃ Can you dispatch the lightning on a mission
And have it answer you, “I am ready”?

מִי־שָׁ֭ת בַּטֻּח֣וֹת חׇכְמָ֑ה א֤וֹ מִֽי־נָתַ֖ן לַשֶּׂ֣כְוִי בִינָֽה׃ Who put wisdom in the hidden parts?
Who gave understanding to the mind?^cOr “rooster”; meaning of Heb. uncertain.

מִֽי־יְסַפֵּ֣ר שְׁחָקִ֣ים בְּחׇכְמָ֑ה וְנִבְלֵ֥י שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם מִ֣י יַשְׁכִּֽיב׃ Who is wise enough to give an account of the heavens?
Who can tilt the bottles of the sky,

בְּצֶ֣קֶת עָ֭פָר לַמּוּצָ֑ק וּרְגָבִ֥ים יְדֻבָּֽקוּ׃ Whereupon the earth melts into a mass,
And its clods stick together.

הֲתָצ֣וּד לְלָבִ֣יא טָ֑רֶף וְחַיַּ֖ת כְּפִירִ֣ים תְּמַלֵּֽא׃ Can you hunt prey for the lion,
And satisfy the appetite of the king of beasts?

כִּֽי־יָשֹׁ֥חוּ בַמְּעוֹנ֑וֹת יֵשְׁב֖וּ בַסֻּכָּ֣ה לְמוֹ־אָֽרֶב׃ They crouch in their dens,
Lie in ambush in their lairs.

מִ֤י יָכִ֥ין לָעֹרֵ֗ב צֵ֫יד֥וֹ כִּֽי־יְ֭לָדָו אֶל־אֵ֣ל יְשַׁוֵּ֑עוּ יִ֝תְע֗וּ לִבְלִי־אֹֽכֶל׃ Who provides food for the raven
When his young cry out to God
And wander about without food?

הֲיָדַ֗עְתָּ עֵ֭ת לֶ֣דֶת יַעֲלֵי־סָ֑לַע חֹלֵ֖ל אַיָּל֣וֹת תִּשְׁמֹֽר׃ Do you know the season when the mountain goats give birth?
Can you mark the time when the hinds calve?

תִּסְפֹּ֣ר יְרָחִ֣ים תְּמַלֶּ֑אנָה וְ֝יָדַעְתָּ֗ עֵ֣ת לִדְתָּֽנָה׃ Can you count the months they must complete?
Do you know the season they give birth,

תִּ֭כְרַעְנָה יַלְדֵיהֶ֣ן תְּפַלַּ֑חְנָה חֶבְלֵיהֶ֥ם תְּשַׁלַּֽחְנָה׃ When they couch to bring forth their offspring,
To deliver their young?

יַחְלְמ֣וּ בְ֭נֵיהֶם יִרְבּ֣וּ בַבָּ֑ר יָ֝צְא֗וּ וְלֹא־שָׁ֥בוּ לָֽמוֹ׃ Their young are healthy; they grow up in the open;
They leave and return no more.

מִי־שִׁלַּ֣ח פֶּ֣רֶא חׇפְשִׁ֑י וּמֹסְר֥וֹת עָ֝ר֗וֹד מִ֣י פִתֵּֽחַ׃ Who sets the wild ass free?
Who loosens the bonds of the onager,

אֲשֶׁר־שַׂ֣מְתִּי עֲרָבָ֣ה בֵית֑וֹ וּֽמִשְׁכְּנוֹתָ֥יו מְלֵחָֽה׃ Whose home I have made the wilderness,
The salt land his dwelling-place?

יִ֭שְׂחַק לַהֲמ֣וֹן קִרְיָ֑ה תְּשֻׁא֥וֹת נֹ֝גֵ֗שׂ לֹ֣א יִשְׁמָֽע׃ He scoffs at the tumult of the city,
Does not hear the shouts of the driver.

יְת֣וּר הָרִ֣ים מִרְעֵ֑הוּ וְאַחַ֖ר כׇּל־יָר֣וֹק יִדְרֽוֹשׁ׃ He roams the hills for his pasture;
He searches for any green thing.

הֲיֹ֣אבֶה רֵּ֣ים עׇבְדֶ֑ךָ אִם־יָ֝לִ֗ין עַל־אֲבוּסֶֽךָ׃ Would the wild ox agree to serve you?
Would he spend the night at your crib?

הֲֽתִקְשׇׁר־רֵ֭ים בְּתֶ֣לֶם עֲבֹת֑וֹ אִם־יְשַׂדֵּ֖ד עֲמָקִ֣ים אַחֲרֶֽיךָ׃ Can you hold the wild ox by ropes to the furrow?
Would he plow up the valleys behind you?

הֲֽתִבְטַח־בּ֭וֹ כִּֽי־רַ֣ב כֹּח֑וֹ וְתַעֲזֹ֖ב אֵלָ֣יו יְגִיעֶֽךָ׃ Would you rely on his great strength
And leave your toil to him?

הֲתַאֲמִ֣ין בּ֭וֹ כִּֽי־[יָשִׁ֣יב] (ישוב) זַרְעֶ֑ךָ וְֽגׇרְנְךָ֥ יֶאֱסֹֽף׃ Would you trust him to bring in the seed
And gather it in from your threshing floor?

כְּנַף־רְנָנִ֥ים נֶעֱלָ֑סָה אִם־אֶ֝בְרָ֗ה חֲסִידָ֥ה וְנֹצָֽה׃ The wing of the ostrich beats joyously;
Are her pinions and plumage like the stork’s?

כִּי־תַעֲזֹ֣ב לָאָ֣רֶץ בֵּצֶ֑יהָ וְֽעַל־עָפָ֥ר תְּחַמֵּֽם׃ She leaves her eggs on the ground,
Letting them warm in the dirt,

וַ֭תִּשְׁכַּח כִּי־רֶ֣גֶל תְּזוּרֶ֑הָ וְחַיַּ֖ת הַשָּׂדֶ֣ה תְדוּשֶֽׁהָ׃ Forgetting they may be crushed underfoot,
Or trampled by a wild beast.

הִקְשִׁ֣יחַ בָּנֶ֣יהָ לְּלֹא־לָ֑הּ לְרִ֖יק יְגִיעָ֣הּ בְּלִי־פָֽחַד׃ Her young are cruelly abandoned as if they were not hers;
Her labor is in vain for lack of concern.

כִּי־הִשָּׁ֣הּ אֱל֣וֹהַּ חׇכְמָ֑ה וְלֹא־חָ֥לַק לָ֝֗הּ בַּבִּינָֽה׃ For God deprived her of wisdom,
Gave her no share of understanding,

כָּ֭עֵת בַּמָּר֣וֹם תַּמְרִ֑יא תִּֽשְׂחַ֥ק לַ֝סּ֗וּס וּלְרֹכְבֽוֹ׃ {פ}
Else she would soar on high,
Scoffing at the horse and its rider.

הֲתִתֵּ֣ן לַסּ֣וּס גְּבוּרָ֑ה הֲתַלְבִּ֖ישׁ צַוָּאר֣וֹ רַעְמָֽה׃ Do you give the horse his strength?
Do you clothe his neck with a mane?

הֲֽ֭תַרְעִישֶׁנּוּ כָּאַרְבֶּ֑ה ה֖וֹד נַחְר֣וֹ אֵימָֽה׃ Do you make him quiver like locusts,
His majestic snorting [spreading] terror?

יַחְפְּר֣וּ בָ֭עֵמֶק וְיָשִׂ֣ישׂ בְּכֹ֑חַ יֵ֝צֵ֗א לִקְרַאת־נָֽשֶׁק׃ He^aLit. “They …” paws with force, he runs with vigor,
Charging into battle.

יִשְׂחַ֣ק לְ֭פַחַד וְלֹ֣א יֵחָ֑ת וְלֹא־יָ֝שׁ֗וּב מִפְּנֵי־חָֽרֶב׃ He scoffs at fear; he cannot be frightened;
He does not recoil from the sword.

עָ֭לָיו תִּרְנֶ֣ה אַשְׁפָּ֑ה לַ֖הַב חֲנִ֣ית וְכִידֽוֹן׃ A quiverful of arrows whizzes by him,
And the flashing spear and the javelin.

בְּרַ֣עַשׁ וְ֭רֹגֶז יְגַמֶּא־אָ֑רֶץ וְלֹא־יַ֝אֲמִ֗ין כִּי־ק֥וֹל שׁוֹפָֽר׃ Trembling with excitement, he swallows^bOr “digs up.” the land;
He does not turn aside at the blast of the trumpet.

בְּדֵ֤י שֹׁפָ֨ר ׀ יֹ֘אמַ֤ר הֶאָ֗ח וּֽ֭מֵרָחוֹק יָרִ֣יחַ מִלְחָמָ֑ה רַ֥עַם שָׂ֝רִ֗ים וּתְרוּעָֽה׃ As the trumpet sounds, he says, “Aha!”
From afar he smells the battle,
The roaring and shouting of the officers.

הֲֽ֭מִבִּינָ֣תְךָ יַאֲבֶר־נֵ֑ץ יִפְרֹ֖שׂ כְּנָפָ֣ו לְתֵימָֽן׃ Is it by your wisdom that the hawk grows pinions,
Spreads his wings to the south?

אִם־עַל־פִּ֭יךָ יַגְבִּ֣יהַּ נָ֑שֶׁר וְ֝כִ֗י יָרִ֥ים קִנּֽוֹ׃ Does the eagle soar at your command,
Building his nest high,

סֶ֣לַע יִ֭שְׁכֹּן וְיִתְלֹנָ֑ן עַ֥ל שֶׁן־סֶ֝֗לַע וּמְצוּדָֽה׃ Dwelling in the rock,
Lodging upon the fastness of a jutting rock?

מִשָּׁ֥ם חָֽפַר־אֹ֑כֶל לְ֝מֵרָח֗וֹק עֵינָ֥יו יַבִּֽיטוּ׃ From there he spies out his food;
From afar his eyes see it.

וְאֶפְרֹחָ֥ו יְעַלְעוּ־דָ֑ם וּבַאֲשֶׁ֥ר חֲ֝לָלִ֗ים שָׁ֣ם הֽוּא׃ {פ}
His young gulp blood;
Where the slain are, there is he.

וַיַּ֖עַן יְהֹוָ֥ה אֶת־אִיּ֗וֹב וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ The LORD said in reply to Job.

הֲ֭רֹב עִם־שַׁדַּ֣י יִסּ֑וֹר מוֹכִ֖יחַ אֱל֣וֹהַּ יַעֲנֶֽנָּה׃ {פ}
^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.Shall one who should be disciplined complain against Shaddai?^-a
He who arraigns God must respond.

וַיַּ֖עַן אִיּ֥וֹב אֶת־יְהֹוָ֗ה וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Job said in reply to the LORD:

הֵ֣ן קַ֭לֹּתִי מָ֣ה אֲשִׁיבֶ֑ךָּ יָ֝דִ֗י שַׂ֣מְתִּי לְמוֹ־פִֽי׃ See, I am of small worth; what can I answer You?
I clap my hand to my mouth.

אַחַ֣ת דִּ֭בַּרְתִּי וְלֹ֣א אֶעֱנֶ֑ה וּ֝שְׁתַּ֗יִם וְלֹ֣א אוֹסִֽיף׃ {פ}
I have spoken once, and will not reply;
Twice, and will do so no more.

וַיַּעַן־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֶת־אִ֭יּוֹב (מנסערה) [מִ֥ן ׀ סְעָרָ֗ה] וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Then the LORD replied to Job out of the tempest and said:

אֱזׇר־נָ֣א כְגֶ֣בֶר חֲלָצֶ֑יךָ אֶ֝שְׁאָלְךָ֗ וְהוֹדִיעֵֽנִי׃ Gird your loins like a man;
I will ask, and you will inform Me.

הַ֭אַף תָּפֵ֣ר מִשְׁפָּטִ֑י תַּ֝רְשִׁיעֵ֗נִי לְמַ֣עַן תִּצְדָּֽק׃ Would you impugn My justice?
Would you condemn Me that you may be right?

וְאִם־זְר֖וֹעַ כָּאֵ֥ל ׀ לָ֑ךְ וּ֝בְק֗וֹל כָּמֹ֥הוּ תַרְעֵֽם׃ Have you an arm like God’s?
Can you thunder with a voice like His?

עֲדֵ֥ה נָ֣א גָא֣וֹן וָגֹ֑בַהּ וְה֖וֹד וְהָדָ֣ר תִּלְבָּֽשׁ׃ Deck yourself now with grandeur and eminence;
Clothe yourself in glory and majesty.

הָ֭פֵץ עֶבְר֣וֹת אַפֶּ֑ךָ וּרְאֵ֥ה כׇל־גֵּ֝אֶ֗ה וְהַשְׁפִּילֵֽהוּ׃ Scatter wide your raging anger;
See every proud man and bring him low.

רְאֵ֣ה כׇל־גֵּ֭אֶה הַכְנִיעֵ֑הוּ וַהֲדֹ֖ךְ רְשָׁעִ֣ים תַּחְתָּֽם׃ See every proud man and humble him,
And bring them down where they stand.

טׇמְנֵ֣ם בֶּעָפָ֣ר יָ֑חַד פְּ֝נֵיהֶ֗ם חֲבֹ֣שׁ בַּטָּמֽוּן׃ Bury them all in the earth;
Hide their faces in obscurity.

וְגַם־אֲנִ֥י אוֹדֶ֑ךָּ כִּֽי־תוֹשִׁ֖עַ לְךָ֣ יְמִינֶֽךָ׃ Then even I would praise you
For the triumph your right hand won you.

הִנֵּה־נָ֣א בְ֭הֵמוֹת אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂ֣יתִי עִמָּ֑ךְ חָ֝צִ֗יר כַּבָּקָ֥ר יֹאכֵֽל׃ Take now behemoth, whom I made as I did you;
He eats grass, like the cattle.

הִנֵּה־נָ֣א כֹח֣וֹ בְמׇתְנָ֑יו וְ֝אוֹנ֗וֹ בִּשְׁרִירֵ֥י בִטְנֽוֹ׃ His strength is in his loins,
His might in the muscles of his belly.

יַחְפֹּ֣ץ זְנָב֣וֹ כְמוֹ־אָ֑רֶז גִּידֵ֖י פַחֲדָ֣ו יְשֹׂרָֽגוּ׃ ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.He makes his tail stand up^-a like a cedar;
The sinews of his thighs are knit together.

עֲ֭צָמָיו אֲפִיקֵ֣י נְחֻשָׁ֑ה גְּ֝רָמָ֗יו כִּמְטִ֥יל בַּרְזֶֽל׃ His bones are like tubes of bronze,
His limbs like iron rods.

ה֭וּא רֵאשִׁ֣ית דַּרְכֵי־אֵ֑ל הָ֝עֹשׂ֗וֹ יַגֵּ֥שׁ חַרְבּֽוֹ׃ He is the first of God’s works;
Only his Maker can draw the sword against him.

כִּי־ב֭וּל הָרִ֣ים יִשְׂאוּ־ל֑וֹ וְֽכׇל־חַיַּ֥ת הַ֝שָּׂדֶ֗ה יְשַׂחֲקוּ־שָֽׁם׃ The mountains yield him produce,
Where all the beasts of the field play.

תַּֽחַת־צֶאֱלִ֥ים יִשְׁכָּ֑ב בְּסֵ֖תֶר קָנֶ֣ה וּבִצָּֽה׃ He lies down beneath the lotuses,
In the cover of the swamp reeds.

יְסֻכֻּ֣הוּ צֶאֱלִ֣ים צִֽלְל֑וֹ יְ֝סֻבּ֗וּהוּ עַרְבֵי־נָֽחַל׃ The lotuses embower him with shade;
The willows of the brook surround him.

הֵ֤ן יַעֲשֹׁ֣ק נָ֭הָר לֹ֣א יַחְפּ֑וֹז יִבְטַ֓ח ׀ כִּֽי־יָגִ֖יחַ יַרְדֵּ֣ן אֶל־פִּֽיהוּ׃ He can restrain the river from its rushing;
He is confident the stream^bLit. “Jordan.” will gush at his command.

בְּעֵינָ֥יו יִקָּחֶ֑נּוּ בְּ֝מוֹקְשִׁ֗ים יִנְקׇב־אָֽף׃ Can he be taken by his eyes?
Can his nose be pierced by hooks?

תִּמְשֹׁ֣ךְ לִוְיָתָ֣ן בְּחַכָּ֑ה וּ֝בְחֶ֗בֶל תַּשְׁקִ֥יעַ לְשֹׁנֽוֹ׃ Can you draw out Leviathan by a fishhook?
Can you press down his tongue by a rope?

הֲתָשִׂ֣ים אַגְמֹ֣ן בְּאַפּ֑וֹ וּ֝בְח֗וֹחַ תִּקֹּ֥ב לֶחֱיֽוֹ׃ Can you put a ring through his nose,
Or pierce his jaw with a barb?

הֲיַרְבֶּ֣ה אֵ֭לֶיךָ תַּחֲנוּנִ֑ים אִם־יְדַבֵּ֖ר אֵלֶ֣יךָ רַכּֽוֹת׃ Will he plead with you at length?
Will he speak soft words to you?

הֲיִכְרֹ֣ת בְּרִ֣ית עִמָּ֑ךְ תִּ֝קָּחֶ֗נּוּ לְעֶ֣בֶד עוֹלָֽם׃ Will he make an agreement with you
To be taken as your lifelong slave?

הַֽתְשַׂחֶק־בּ֭וֹ כַּצִּפּ֑וֹר וְ֝תִקְשְׁרֶ֗נּוּ לְנַעֲרוֹתֶֽיךָ׃ Will you play with him like a bird,
And tie him down for your girls?

יִכְר֣וּ עָ֭לָיו חַבָּרִ֑ים יֶ֝חֱצ֗וּהוּ בֵּ֣ין כְּֽנַעֲנִֽים׃ ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.Shall traders traffic in him?^-a
Will he be divided up among merchants?

הַֽתְמַלֵּ֣א בְשֻׂכּ֣וֹת עוֹר֑וֹ וּבְצִלְצַ֖ל דָּגִ֣ים רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃ Can you fill his skin with darts
Or his head with fish-spears?

שִׂים־עָלָ֥יו כַּפֶּ֑ךָ זְכֹ֥ר מִ֝לְחָמָ֗ה אַל־תּוֹסַֽף׃ Lay a hand on him,
And you will never think of battle again.

הֵן־תֹּחַלְתּ֥וֹ נִכְזָ֑בָה הֲגַ֖ם אֶל־מַרְאָ֣יו יֻטָֽל׃ See, any hope [of capturing] him must be disappointed;
One is prostrated by the very sight of him.

לֹֽא־אַ֭כְזָר כִּ֣י יְעוּרֶ֑נּוּ וּמִ֥י ה֝֗וּא לְפָנַ֥י יִתְיַצָּֽב׃ There is no one so fierce as to rouse him;
Who then can stand up to Me?

מִ֣י הִ֭קְדִּימַנִי וַאֲשַׁלֵּ֑ם תַּ֖חַת כׇּל־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם לִי־הֽוּא׃ Whoever confronts Me I will requite,
For everything under the heavens is Mine.

(לא) [לוֹ־]אַחֲרִ֥ישׁ בַּדָּ֑יו וּדְבַר־גְּ֝בוּר֗וֹת וְחִ֣ין עֶרְכּֽוֹ׃ ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.I will not be silent concerning him
Or the praise of his martial exploits.^-a

מִֽי־גִ֭לָּה פְּנֵ֣י לְבוּשׁ֑וֹ בְּכֶ֥פֶל רִ֝סְנ֗וֹ מִ֣י יָבֽוֹא׃ Who can uncover his outer garment?
Who can penetrate the folds of his jowls?

דַּלְתֵ֣י פָ֭נָיו מִ֣י פִתֵּ֑חַ סְבִיב֖וֹת שִׁנָּ֣יו אֵימָֽה׃ Who can pry open the doors of his face?
His bared teeth strike terror.

גַּ֭אֲוָה אֲפִיקֵ֣י מָגִנִּ֑ים סָ֝ג֗וּר חוֹתָ֥ם צָֽר׃ His protective scales are his pride,
Locked with a binding seal.

אֶחָ֣ד בְּאֶחָ֣ד יִגַּ֑שׁוּ וְ֝ר֗וּחַ לֹא־יָבֹ֥א בֵינֵיהֶֽם׃ One scale touches the other;
Not even a breath can enter between them.

אִישׁ־בְּאָחִ֥יהוּ יְדֻבָּ֑קוּ יִ֝תְלַכְּד֗וּ וְלֹ֣א יִתְפָּרָֽדוּ׃ Each clings to each;
They are interlocked so they cannot be parted.

עֲֽ֭טִישֹׁתָיו תָּ֣הֶל א֑וֹר וְ֝עֵינָ֗יו כְּעַפְעַפֵּי־שָֽׁחַר׃ His sneezings flash lightning,
And his eyes are like the glimmerings of dawn.

מִ֭פִּיו לַפִּידִ֣ים יַהֲלֹ֑כוּ כִּיד֥וֹדֵי אֵ֝֗שׁ יִתְמַלָּֽטוּ׃ Firebrands stream from his mouth;
Fiery sparks escape.

מִ֭נְּחִירָיו יֵצֵ֣א עָשָׁ֑ן כְּד֖וּד נָפ֣וּחַ וְאַגְמֹֽן׃ Out of his nostrils comes smoke
As from a steaming, boiling cauldron.

נַ֭פְשׁוֹ גֶּחָלִ֣ים תְּלַהֵ֑ט וְ֝לַ֗הַב מִפִּ֥יו יֵצֵֽא׃ His breath ignites coals;
Flames blaze from his mouth.

בְּֽ֭צַוָּארוֹ יָלִ֣ין עֹ֑ז וּ֝לְפָנָ֗יו תָּד֥וּץ דְּאָבָֽה׃ Strength resides in his neck;
Power leaps before him.

מַפְּלֵ֣י בְשָׂר֣וֹ דָבֵ֑קוּ יָצ֥וּק עָ֝לָ֗יו בַּל־יִמּֽוֹט׃ The layers of his flesh stick together;
He is as though cast hard; he does not totter.

לִ֭בּוֹ יָצ֣וּק כְּמוֹ־אָ֑בֶן וְ֝יָצ֗וּק כְּפֶ֣לַח תַּחְתִּֽית׃ His heart is cast hard as a stone,
Hard as the nether millstone.

מִ֭שֵּׂתוֹ יָג֣וּרוּ אֵלִ֑ים מִ֝שְּׁבָרִ֗ים יִתְחַטָּֽאוּ׃ Divine beings are in dread as he rears up;
As he crashes down, they cringe.

מַשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ חֶ֭רֶב בְּלִ֣י תָק֑וּם חֲנִ֖ית מַסָּ֣ע וְשִׁרְיָֽה׃ No sword that overtakes him can prevail,
Nor spear, nor missile, nor lance.

יַחְשֹׁ֣ב לְתֶ֣בֶן בַּרְזֶ֑ל לְעֵ֖ץ רִקָּב֣וֹן נְחוּשָֽׁה׃ He regards iron as straw,
Bronze, as rotted wood.

לֹא־יַבְרִיחֶ֥נּוּ בֶן־קָ֑שֶׁת לְ֝קַ֗שׁ נֶהְפְּכוּ־ל֥וֹ אַבְנֵי־קָֽלַע׃ No arrow can put him to flight;
Slingstones turn into stubble for him.

כְּ֭קַשׁ נֶחְשְׁב֣וּ תוֹתָ֑ח וְ֝יִשְׂחַ֗ק לְרַ֣עַשׁ כִּידֽוֹן׃ Clubs^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain. are regarded as stubble;
He scoffs at the quivering javelin.

תַּ֭חְתָּיו חַדּ֣וּדֵי חָ֑רֶשׂ יִרְפַּ֖ד חָר֣וּץ עֲלֵי־טִֽיט׃ His underpart is jagged shards;
It spreads a threshing-sledge on the mud.

יַרְתִּ֣יחַ כַּסִּ֣יר מְצוּלָ֑ה יָ֝֗ם יָשִׂ֥ים כַּמֶּרְקָחָֽה׃ He makes the depths seethe like a cauldron;
He makes the sea [boil] like an ointment-pot.

אַ֭חֲרָיו יָאִ֣יר נָתִ֑יב יַחְשֹׁ֖ב תְּה֣וֹם לְשֵׂיבָֽה׃ His wake is a luminous path;
He makes the deep seem white-haired.

אֵֽין־עַל־עָפָ֥ר מׇשְׁל֑וֹ הֶ֝עָשׂ֗וּ לִבְלִי־חָֽת׃ There is no one on land who can dominate him,
Made as he is without fear.

אֵֽת־כׇּל־גָּבֹ֥הַּ יִרְאֶ֑ה ה֝֗וּא מֶ֣לֶךְ עַל־כׇּל־בְּנֵי־שָֽׁחַץ׃ {פ}
He sees all that is haughty;
He is king over all proud beasts.