Job - 41:20



20 Out of his nostrils a smoke goes, as of a boiling pot over a fire of reeds.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Job 41:20.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
Out of his nostrils a smoke goeth, As of a boiling pot and burning rushes.
Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, like that of a pot heated and boiling.
Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a boiling pot and cauldron.
Out of his nostrils a smoke goeth, as of a seething pot and burning rushes.
Out of his nostrils issueth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
Out of his nostrils goeth forth smoke, As a blown pot and reeds.
Out of his nostrils goes smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
Smoke comes out of his nose, like a pot boiling on the fire.
Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot and burning rushes.
Smoke passes out of his nostrils, like a pot that is heated and boiling.

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


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Out of his nostrils goeth smoke - See the quotations on Job 41:19. This appearance of the crocodile, or alligator, has been often noticed. Bertram, in his "Travels in North and South Carolina," p. 116, says, "While I was seeking a place of rest, I encountered an alligator that in the neighboring lake rushed through the canes that grew on its banks. He inflated his enormous body, and swung his tail high in the air. A thick smoke streamed from his wide-open nostrils, with a sound that made the earth tremble." Rosenmuller, "Alte u. neue Morgenland," No. 778.
As out of a seething-pot - A pot that is boiling. Literally, "a blown pot;" that is, a pot under which the fire is blown, or kindled.
Or caldron - Any kettle. The same word is used to denote a reed or bulrush, or a rope made of reeds, Isaiah 9:14; Job 41:1.

Out of his nostrils goeth forth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. In which flesh or anything else is boiling. It is observed that there is a likeness between the crocodile and the river horse, and particularly in their breathing (u): and of the former it is remarked (w), that its nostrils are very large and open, and that they breathe out a fiery smoke, as out of a furnace.
(u) Plin. l. 48. c. 8. Aristot. Hist. Animal. l. 8. c. 2. (w) Achilles Statius & Eustathius, apud Scheuchzer: ut supra. (vol. 4. p. 849.)

seething--boiling: literally, "blown under," under which a fire is blown.

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