Behemoth

Interpreting the Behemoth in Job 40:15–24 as a shadow of Christ through the lens of sensus plenior, we can see symbolic layers that reveal aspects of Christ’s person and work. Here is a verse-by-verse explanation with the symbolism identified:

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Text and Symbolic Interpretation

Job 40:15 - "Look now at the behemoth, which I made along with you; he eats grass like an ox."

• Symbol: Christ as the True Man
  • "Which I made along with you" emphasizes that Christ, though divine, took on human nature and was made "like us" (Philippians 2:7–8).
  • "Eats grass like an ox" symbolizes Christ’s humility and servitude. Grass can represent the Word of God (Isaiah 40:6–8), and the ox, a servant animal, reflects Christ’s role as the suffering servant (Isaiah 53:11).

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Job 40:16 - "See now, his strength is in his hips, and his power is in his stomach muscles."

• Symbol: Christ’s Inner Strength and Obedience
  • "Hips" represent stability and movement, symbolizing Christ’s steadfastness in fulfilling His mission (Luke 9:51).
  • "Stomach muscles" indicate core strength, metaphorically reflecting Christ’s inner resolve and His spiritual nourishment in doing the Father’s will (John 4:34).

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Job 40:17 - "He moves his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit."

• Symbol: Christ’s Authority and Unity
  • The "tail like a cedar" reflects strength and majesty, symbolizing Christ’s kingship and unshakable authority (Isaiah 9:6–7). Cedars often represent nobility and durability in Scripture.
  • The "sinews of his thighs" symbolize Christ’s unity and coherence within His body, the Church (Colossians 1:17–18). His work binds together the whole of salvation history.

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Job 40:18 - "His bones are like beams of bronze, his ribs like bars of iron."

• Symbol: Christ’s Endurance and Righteousness
  • "Bones of bronze" represent enduring strength and judgment, as bronze often symbolizes divine judgment (Numbers 21:9). Christ bore judgment on behalf of humanity.
  • "Bars of iron" symbolize Christ’s unwavering righteousness and His role as the one who holds all things together (Hebrews 1:3).

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Job 40:19 - "He is the first of the ways of God; only He who made him can bring near His sword."

• Symbol: Christ as the Firstborn and Sacrificial Lamb
  • "The first of the ways of God" identifies Christ as the "firstborn over all creation" (Colossians 1:15) and the eternal Word through whom all things were made (John 1:1–3).
  • "Only He who made him can bring near His sword" foreshadows Christ’s submission to the Father’s will in His crucifixion (Isaiah 53:10).

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Job 40:20 - "Surely the mountains yield food for him, and all the beasts of the field play there."

• Symbol: Christ as Provider and Ruler
  • "The mountains yield food for him" symbolizes Christ drawing strength and glory from the work of God (Psalm 121:1–2). The mountains also represent the nations (Isaiah 2:2), whom Christ redeems and nourishes.
  • "All the beasts of the field play there" reflects the reconciliation of creation under Christ (Romans 8:19–21).

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Job 40:21–22 - "He lies under the lotus trees, in a covert of reeds and marsh. The lotus trees cover him with their shade; the willows by the brook surround him."

• Symbol: Christ’s Hidden Glory and Rest
  • The "lotus trees" and "shade" symbolize Christ’s humility, as He veiled His divine glory in His incarnation (Philippians 2:6–7).
  • The imagery of "reeds and marsh" reflects Christ’s ministry among the lowly and His rest in obedience to the Father’s will (Matthew 11:29).

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Job 40:23 - "Indeed the river may rage, yet he is not disturbed; he is confident, though the Jordan gushes into his mouth."

• Symbol: Christ’s Sovereignty Over Chaos and Death
  • The "raging river" symbolizes trials, chaos, and death, yet Christ is undisturbed (Mark 4:39).
  • "The Jordan gushes into his mouth" reflects Christ’s willingness to face death (Jordan often symbolizes death in Scripture) and swallow it in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54).

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Job 40:24 - "Though he takes it in his eyes, or one pierces his nose with a snare."

• Symbol: Christ’s Voluntary Submission to Suffering
  • "Takes it in his eyes" reflects Christ’s foresight and acceptance of suffering (Luke 18:31–33).
  • "One pierces his nose with a snare" parallels the imagery of Christ’s crucifixion, where He was bound and pierced for humanity’s sin (Isaiah 53:5).

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Summary of the Behemoth as Christ

The Behemoth represents Christ’s strength, majesty, and humility as the incarnate Son of God. The imagery highlights His:

1. Humility and Servanthood (eating grass, lying under shade).
2. Divine Strength and Authority (cedar tail, bronze bones, first of God’s ways).
3. Sovereignty Over Chaos and Death (unmoved by raging rivers).
4. Voluntary Submission to Suffering (accepting the piercing and the snare).

This interpretation portrays the Behemoth not as a chaotic creature to be subdued but as the strong, righteous Christ who willingly faced death to fulfill God’s redemptive plan.

behemoth בהמות - 'in her בה death מות'

15 ¶  Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.

Behold the behemoth 'death in her' which I made with thee (his flesh). He learns foe/distress as the morning.

16  Lo now, his strength [is] in his loins, and his force [is] in the navel of his belly.

17  He moveth (delights) his tail (kind) like a cedar (holiness of the bride): the sinews of his stones (thighs/fear) are wrapped together.

18  His bones [are as] strong pieces of brass; his bones [are] like bars of iron.

19  He [is] the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach [unto him].

20  Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.

21  He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.

22  The shady trees cover him [with] their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.

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

24  He taketh it with his eyes: [his] nose pierceth through snares.