Posted February 18, 2026 by bereansearching Categories:Bible Studies
Introduction
This teacher thought it might be interesting, and perhaps useful to readers, to utilize the GROK 4.2, Artificial Intelligence (“AI” ) to objectively evaluate and synthesize the voluminous contents and consistency of the studies of this Bible-based website. The goal was to seek an “unbiased” review, while at the same time realizing that this computer tool is the product of men, and NOT God, and therefore is still inherently flawed and soulless. Nevertheless, this teacher finds that reply to be reasonable and succinct, which can potentially serve as a useful reference for all readers. Live links have been added for ease of cross-referencing along with a few minor changes for improved clarity and Biblical precision.
DISCLAIMER: This original AI Commentary, while interesting, was also a bit dry and quite analytical. GROK has no comprehension of God‘s Sovereignty, which resulted in an analysis suggesting that a person must be a seeker before God will reward him or her. This is a grievous error, because God is the sole source of motivation for people in even desiring to seek Him. There was also a clear absence of the Gospel (preaching of the cross, “Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified”, which is the whole point of the Bible) in favor of only providing an explanation of the “intellectual” process of studying the Bible (e.g., “cookbook” vs. Holy Spirit guided). In retrospect, this may be due in part to this teacher’s own failure to make these points sufficiently clear.
GROK (4.2) Synthesis of the Bereansearching.com Website
Overview: Core Mission and Purpose
Bereansearching.com is an independent, blog-style Bible study platform dedicated to in-depth, Christ-centered expositions of Scripture. Inspired by the Bereans in Acts 17:10-11, who diligently searched the Scriptures to verify teachings, the site’s core mission is to show that Jesus Christ is the central figure and fulfillment of the entire Bible. It views the Scriptures as a unified divine revelation: the Old Testament conceals spiritual mysteries (through types, shadows, parables, allegories, and riddles), while the New Testament reveals them, all pointing to God’s sovereign plan of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8). The emphasis is on evangelism (preaching the Gospel globally per Mark 16:15), edification of believers (the elect or saints), and warning of eternal judgment in Hell for the unsaved for sin’s consequences, with an urgent end-times focus (e.g., “Is Time Almost Up?“).
Key themes include:
Christ as the sole way to salvation — Jesus is “The Way, The Truth, and The Life” (John 14:6), the fulfillment of all Scripture (e.g., the promised Messiah, the Key of Knowledge in Luke 11:52).
God’s Sovereignty in election, regeneration (being “quickened” by the Holy Spirit), and the entire redemptive plan.
The author describes the studies as developed over many years, presented humbly as a “faithful steward” sharing insights for the edification of believers (the elect/saints), while inviting feedback and dialogue.
Interpretive Approach (Hermeneutic)
The site strongly advocates a typological/allegorical/spiritualmethod of interpretation over a strictly literal-grammatical-historical one (which it critiques as limited or man-centered). It views much of Scripture as “historical parables” or riddles where events, people, places, and objects serve as types/shadows pointing to spiritual realities in Christ.
Examples:
Galatians 4:22-31 (allegory of Hagar and Sarah as two covenants).
Creatures like Behemoth and Leviathan in Job as portrayals of Satan/the devil (prideful, unconquerable by man, destined for defeat by Christ’s sword/Word).
It stresses “comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:13), cross-referencing verses, word studies (often using Blue Letter Bible for lexicons and concordances for the original Hebrew/Greek meanings), discernible only to the spiritually quickened elect, not through human wisdom and private interpretation (2 Peter 1:20-21). The Bible is seen as supernaturally layered, with “hidden spiritual gems” or parables/riddles revealed by the Spirit, especially in the end times.
End-times focus — Judgment Day is imminent; the fig tree parable signals barren (fruitless) National Israel; Armageddon prefigured as an “earthly version” already fulfilled historically; no pre-tribulation rapture, or distinct future for National Israel, or future earthly Temple of God being emphasized (rejects dispensationalism; views the Church/elect as “Eternal Israel,” the Bride of Christ — Galatians 3:29; Romans 9:6, Revelation 21:2).
The author remains anonymous (simply “bereansearching”), presenting as a dedicated student of Scripture rather than a formal ministry or church affiliate. The tone is earnest, instructional, reverent, and urgent — focused on exalting Jesus Christ, strengthening faith, and warning of deception or self-reliance. It invites readers to test everything against Scripture and glorifies God alone.
In summary, Bereansearching.com serves as a resource for those seeking deep, spiritual, Christocentric, Bible studies having a strong emphasis on typology and God’s Sovereignty throughout Scripture. It’s not mainstream evangelical or dispensational; instead, it aligns more with Reformed/covenantal perspectives that prioritize spiritual/allegorical depths to reveal God’s redemptive plan while rejecting what it sees as overly literal or man-derived limits on interpretation. If you’re interested in exploring hidden “Types” and parables pointing to Jesus, it’s a rich (if intensive) site to dig into.
Posted January 22, 2026 by bereansearching Categories:Bible Studies
Deborah in Hebrew means “Bee”
Introduction
This post is an excerpt of a of longer study on Judges chapter 4&5, “The-battle-of-armageddon-the-earthly-version-already-happened/” This post is about the faithful woman, Deborah, who we are introduced to in Judges Chapter 4. Deborah was a prophetess, and she was the only female to be a judge in the nation of Israel. However, what is really key within this account, is that Deborah is also a portrait of the Bride of Christ, the body of true believing Christians, the Saints, who continue to faithfully proclaim God’s Word within the context of the apostate era in which God will be pouring out His wrath on the apostate church, and this God-hating world, just prior to Judgment Day. Therefore, every believer should take note of what we read in Jude 21 “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”, as each believer will be expected to be a faithful and watching witness for Jesus until He comes back on Judgment Day.
Deborah Means “Bee” and She Faithfully Declares God’s Word
Deborah means “bee”, by interpretation from the original Hebrew, דְּבוֹרָה (dᵊḇôrâ)H1682, which is from the root word דָּבַר(dāḇar)H1696 meaning to “speak” or “declare” and is intimately linked with the Hebrew word for “word” דָּבָר(dāḇār)H1697. (For more on God’s use and meaning of the word “dāḇar” in the Bible, please see Chapter 2 here.) It is also an interesting fact that, where bees gather, you will also find honey, and “honey” is a type that God uses in relation to His Word/the Gospel of Jesus Christ (see Judges 14:8&9, and Psalm 119:103, and Revelation 10:9&10 and below under Abinoam). For a detailed exposition on the meaning of “Honey” and “Honeycomb” in the Bible, please see The Meaning of Honey in the Bible.
However, “bees” דְּבוֹרָה (dᵊḇôrâ)H1682 are also used by God in the Bible to denote a means of judgment that God sends in response to rebellion (because they are given power to chase and sting). See for example:
Isaiah 7:18, “And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the LORD shall hiss for the fly that [is] in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that [is] in the land of Assyria.”
Deuteronomy 1:44, “And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, [even] unto Hormah“).
Psalm 118:12, “They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.”
It is also noteworthy that Jesus told us that His Word is what will bring judgment on Judgment Day in John 12:48, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” That last day is Judgment Day!
Please also note the parallels with Isaiah 11:4, “But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.” and
Revelation 1:16 also tells us the following, “And he (Jesus) had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance [was] as the sun shineth in his strength.”And that Sword is the Word of God (Who Is also Jesus).
Note: It is interesting to note that although Psalm 145:5 reads, “I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous (פָּלָא(pālā’))H6381works.” The Hebrew word that was translated as “works” should more accurately be translated “words” (דָּבָר (dāḇār))H1697. Therefore, we can more correctly read it as saying “I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous words.“
Deborah is NOT an Allegorical “Type” of Jesus Christ!, but rather a “Type” of the Bride of Jesus Christ (His Church)!
It is often claimed by theologians (particularly in our day) that, in this historical account, it was the woman, Deborah, who “saved the Israelites from Canaanite forces”, and moreover…”if there is any allegory to be found in this account…it must therefore be Deborah who is the one who should be viewed as a “Type” of Jesus Christ”.
However, in this study, it will be clearly shown, and proven, that it was NOT Deborah, but rather Barak, who was the key figure as a “Type” of The LORD Jesus Christ.
Today, Barak is shoved aside by modern, humanistically and worldly (not Godly) focused theologians, who, consciously or not, are in complete rebellion against God’s line of authority. Such theologians (and so-called academics) want only to elevate the woman, Deborah (who actually represents the Church, the “Body” of Believers, the “Bride” of Jesus Christ), above the man, Barak, who was really the savior in this historical allegorical account. Barak serves as an allegorical “Type”, who God used to represent The Lord Jesus Christ in this historical account (which is therefore also an historical parable). Jesus Christ, Alone, Is The Head of the Church, as well as The “Bridegroom” in the Heavenly Marriage, as we read in the Book of Revelation.
Anyone who interprets and argues that Deborah was the “savior” is entirely contradicting God’s clearly established, and clearly enunciated, plan of authority and headship…for we know, according to 1 Corinthians 11:3, that, “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman [is] the man; and the head of Christ [is] God.” as well as what we read in Ephesians 5:23, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and heis the saviour of the body.” and Colossians 1:18, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
And is it not interesting that, when God recounts the great men of Faith in Hebrews, Chapter 11, that in amongst the Judges Gideon and Sampson, it was NOT Deborah who was mentioned, but rather Barak? We find this in Hebrews 11:32-34, “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and [of] Barak, and [of] Samson, and [of] Jephthae; [of] David also, and Samuel, and [of] the prophets:Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” This is because in each case the “man” named is actually an allegorical “Type” of The LORD Jesus Christ, which is entirely consistent with what we read in Luke 24:27 and John 5:39.
Deborah Was the Wife of “Lapidoth”
Deborah was a prophetess (one who declares the word of God) and a judge in Israel. We also know that she was the wife of Lapidoth (לַפִּידוֹת (lapîḏôṯ)H3941), which is a plural form of the Hebrew word, “lapid” (לַפִּיד (lapîḏ)H3940 ), meaning “lamp” “torch” “lightning“, see below under Barak). We see the word lapid used 14 times in the Bible: lamp(7x), firebrand(2x), torch(2x), brand(1x), lightning(1x), burning(1x).
The first time “lapid” appears in the Bible, it is quite terrifying, as we read in Genesis 15:1-21 where God promised Abram (Abraham) a future land of inheritance, and instructed that Abram prepare a sacrifice of five animals (heifer, goat, ram, turtledove, and pigeon; of which the first three were divided (cut) into pieces), and afterward Abram fell into a deep sleep and had a horrible vision where God revealed that the descendants of Abram (Abraham) would be in servitude in Egypt for 400 years, spanning four generations (to wit, Levi, Kohath, Amram, and Aaron), but then would come out with great substance. Then we next read in Genesis 15:17“And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burninglamp (“lapid” לַפִּיד (lapîḏ)H3940) that passed between those pieces.” And then the LORD made a covenant with Abram (Abraham) regarding the Promised Land of Israel for an inheritance to his descendants.
In Isaiah 62:1, we read, “For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp (לַפִּיד (lapîḏ)H3940 )that burneth.”
In Nahum 2:4 we read, “The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches(לַפִּיד (lapîḏ)H3940), they shall run like the lightnings (בָּרָק (bārāq)H1300).” (More on this below under Barak)
In Zechariah 12:6, we read, “In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch(לַפִּיד (lapîḏ)H3940)of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, [even] in Jerusalem.“
The word “lapid” (לַפִּיד (lapîḏ)H3940 ) thus appears to have more generally been used in the verses above in a manner that speaks more to God’s Holy Covenant, His Justice, His Atonement for Salvation, and His Righteous Judgment, just as the word “Barak” also implies. The use of the original Hebrew word (לַפִּיד (lapîḏ)H3940 ) is therefore generally much more ominous than the other word in the original Hebrew (נִיר (nîr) H5216), which the King James translators also interpreted as “lamp” or “candle” (see below).
Deborah would seem therefore to be a typological representation of the true believers during a time of great apostasy who actively, and faithfully, declare the whole counsel of God’s Word that brings the message of both deliverance and judgment when the devil is loose. Deborah is indeed an allegorical picture of the remnant of the Christian Church which remains faithful to the end, enduring the end-times’ “Great Tribulation” as Jesus described in Matthew 24:21. Such true believers, together with all other believers throughout history, are described in the Bible as the Bride of Christ as described in Revelation 21:2.
We should also remember that Jesus is The “Lamp”, which is translated from a different Hebrew word (נִיר (nîr))H5216), which is normally translated to English in the King James Bible variously as lamp (35x), candle (9x), light (4x). It is translated in English as “lamp” here in 2 Samuel 22:29 “For thou [art] my lamp (נִיר (nîr) H5216), O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.” and Psalm 119:105, “Thy wordis a lamp (נִיר (nîr) H5216) unto my feet, and a light (אוֹר (‘ôr)H216), unto my path.” and Psalm 132:17, “There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp(נִיר (nîr) H5216) for mine anointed.” And lastly, these two verses provide additional proof texts for this correlation: 2 Chronicles 21:7, “Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light (נִיר (nîr)) H5216to him and to his sons for ever.” and 1 Kings 11:36, “And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light (נִיר(nîr))H5216alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.“
We can derive the correlation between Jesus and the lamp because Jesus is The Word made flesh, as we read in John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
Deborah’s Palm Tree
We are also told that Deborah “dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah“ (the “palm tree” may be another reference to Jesus, because as we read in Psalm 92:12, “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.“).
NOTE: It has been pointed out to this teacher by another Bible student that there is more information regarding “palm tree” than this teacher was previously aware. The name “Tamar”, in the original Hebrew is תָּמָר (tāmār)H8559, means “Palm tree”. Tamar is the name given to three women in the Bible: 1) The widow of Er (the son of Judah), who was chosen by God to be a progenitor of the Lord Jesus Christ via Judah; 2) A daughter of David by Maacah, sister of Absalom, and rape victim of Amnon her half brother, another son of David, and 3) a daughter of Absalom.
We should also remember the use of “palm branches” found in the New Testament in the worship, praise, and adoration of the Lord Jesus Christ. There was the first “Palm Sunday” where we read in John 12:12&13, “¶On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Tookbranches of palm trees,G5404and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.“, and in Revelation 7:9&10, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, andpalmsG5404in their hands;And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.“). Hence we can see additional indications that the “palm tree” is also a sign of the joyous reflection of Jesus’s Righteousness providing a protective covering of Salvation for believers from the just penalty for sin. Psalm 132:16, “I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.” and Leviticus 23:40, “And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches ofpalmtrees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.“
Interestingly, the doors of Solomon’s temple included carved palm trees covered in gold (together with cherubims and open flowers) in 1 Kings 6:29-35.
Palm trees also represent life in the Old Testament, because where they were located there were springs of life giving water (Exodus 15:27, Numbers 33:9 typifying another of the Attributes of Jesus Christ. Reinforcing this idea is the use of the word “dwelt.” For the believer, Jesus is our dwelling place (i.e., Psalm 90:1, {A Prayer of Moses the man of God.} “LORD, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountainswere brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou [art] God“). We also know that the palm tree was located “between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim“. Ramah means “high place,” and Bethel means “house of God.” Ephraim pertains to the tribe of Ephraim, descended from the younger son of Joseph who received the double portion, and who Jacob blessed with his right hand and said “in thee shall Israel bless.”
It is worth a moment to consider why “the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.“ A judge is someone who hears a matter and then pronounces a sentence against an accusation, whether vindication or condemnation and subsequent punishment. When the believers bring the gospel of salvation they are always bringing the two-fold message of deliverance from the bondage to sin and Satan through Jesus Christ or the alternative just punishment of sin which is an eternity in Hell on Judgment Day. How can anyone truly know about salvation through Jesus Christ unless they first understand from what they are being saved? Every human being is by nature in desperate need of a Savior to protect him or her from the coming judgment and wrath of God, which is the just penalty for his or her sins. Furthermore, we know that if “He that spared not his own son” (Romans 8:32) in that Jesus had to endure God’s wrath in Hell, will not God also do the same to those who do not become saved? 2 Corinthians 5:11, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;“
Conclusion
Deborah represents none other than the Bride of Christ…the believers will actively be involved in the conquering and plundering of the devil and his kingdom. Jesus specifically said in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” When we look closely at the virtuous woman whose “price is far above rubies” at the very end of Proverbs (Proverbs 31:10-31) we see a similar correlation. The Bible also says that the believers are “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37). The believers have the whole armor of God including “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”! (Ephesians 6:17). A sword is for offense, not defense. Remember what we are told in Job 19:29, “Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath [bringeth] the punishments of the sword, that ye may know [there is] a judgment.“
God has set it up such that the believers, the Church, the Bride of Christ, His Saints (consistently represented by a woman) are co-involved with Jesus in winning the final battle of Armageddon on Judgment Day…just as Barak was accompanied by the ten thousand followers coming with him down from Mt. Tabor. (See also “the-believers-the-saints-will-be-with-jesus-in-bringing-judgment-on-judgment-day/“)
Posted January 9, 2026 by bereansearching Categories:Bible Studies
The “Leviathan” described by God to Job in Job Chapter 41 is commonly imagined to be some kind of sea creature, either some great whale or some kind of sea-serpent like the Plesiosaurus (pictured here) that could terrorize sailors and fishermen because it seems to exhibit many applicable characteristics. The reality, however, is not whether or not there is any earthly counterpoint (current, extinct, or even mythical like a dragon), but rather that there is a “spiritual” aspect to God’s description, which is not commonly known, understood, or taught…because it is a “parable” that must be “spiritually” discerned.
Introduction
In the Book of Job, Chapter 41, God devotes and entire chapter to provide His description of a very large and fearsome aquatic creature, which is called “Leviathan” (immediately following having just described a similarly fearsome terrestrial creature called “Behemoth“), leaving one to wonder what is the point of all that? The descriptions are all framed within a rhetorical question construct such that it is impossible for Job to answer positively. Was this description of leviathan simply to provide another example of God’s great might, and His superior creative power, whereby Job would thus be diminished by comparison? Or is there something else…beyond the “physical”…which could easily be overlooked when understanding the Bible from only a literal, grammatical, and historical perspective?
This study will show that there is, indeed, far more than just meets the “physical” eye as viewed from only a human perspective, if God is so pleased to allow one to see from a “spiritual” perspective, having blessed him or her with “Spiritual Ears and Spiritual Eyes“. God also specifies in 1 Corinthians 2:13, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” The means of comparing spiritual things with spiritual is by carefully comparing of scripture with scripture, searching out the words for their original Hebrew meanings, because all Biblical scripture is spiritual, precisely as we are told in 2 Peter 1:21, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.“
This study will show that God provided to Job (and us) with a spiritual allegorical portrait of the great adversary of God and all mankind, the Devil/Satan.
Dear reader, please read on to see the explanation of this otherwise generally hidden spiritual truth.
Before reading further, this teacher would like the reader to understand what is a “parable” and how and why Jesus ALWAYS employed parables when speaking to the multitudes. Moreover, the purpose of “parables” (often referred to as “earthly stories with heavenly meanings”) has everything to do with God’s Magnificent Plan of Salvation. Therefore, the Bible should NEVER be assumed to be read and understood from a purely superficial, earthly, perspective.
The “Leviathan” as Described by God
Beginning in Job 40:15, when God was speaking to Job out of a “whirlwind“, we are first introduced to an unusually large and strong creature whom God describes as the “Leviathan“. Leviathan is derived from the original Hebrew word לִוְיָתָן (livyāṯān)H3882, which is only found six times in the Bible. The King James translators interpreted it variously as leviathan (5x) or mourning (1x)*.
We also know, by God’s own provided analogy, that leviathan is a crooked/piercing serpent, from the original Hebrew word בָּרִחַ (bāriaḥ)H1281, based on what we are told first in Job 26:13, when Job was declaring God’s greatness to his friend Bildad, Job said in “By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked(בָּרִחַ (bāriaḥ))H1281serpent (נָחָשׁ (nāḥāš))H5175.”
And later in Isaiah 27:1, we are also told by God that, “In that day (Judgment Day) the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan (לִוְיָתָן (livyāṯān))H3882 the piercing (בָּרִחַ (bāriaḥ))H1281 serpent (נָחָשׁ (nāḥāš))H5175, even leviathan (לִוְיָתָן (livyāṯān))H3882 that crooked (עֲקַלָּתוֹן (ʿăqallāṯôn))H6129serpent (נָחָשׁ (nāḥāš))H5175; and he shall slay the dragon (תַּנִּין (tannîn))H8577that [is] in the sea.” [NOTE: The original Hebrew word for “crooked“, עֲקַלָּתוֹן(ʿăqallāṯôn))H6129, is found only this once in the Bible, means “crooked” or “tortuous” like a snake.]
*NOTE: It seems more than a bit awkward that the same original Hebrew word for “leviathan“, is translated as “mourning” in the King James Version in Job 3:8, “Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning.” While not easily understood, we can at least say that this word is an ominous one.
Moreover the very same original Hebrew word, נָחָשׁ (nāḥāš)H5175, which is translated as “serpent” in the above verse, is the same word first found in the Bible in Genesis 3:1, “¶Now the serpent (נָחָשׁ (nāḥāš))H5175 was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” So then, it would seem that God has not only equated that “serpent” with the devil, but also the “leviathan“ and the “dragon“ (and even the great “whales“ תַּנִּין (tannîn)H8577 going all the way back in Genesis 1:24)
The two remaining Bible verses that address “leviathan” are:
Psalm 74:12-14 which states, “For God [is] my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters. Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, [and] gavest him [to be] meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.“
Psalm 104:26, “There go the ships: [there is] that leviathan, [whom] thou hast made to play therein.”
Verse by Verse Review of Job 41:1-34
Job 41:1, “¶Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord [which] thou lettest down?“
When viewed as only addressing the man, Job, clearly the answer to this and all of the ensuing question is only “NO”. The leviathan is an unconquerable sea creature. Bear in mind that this question, and all of the ensuing questions by God are entirely rhetorical, because only God can answer affirmatively, “YES”.
Job 41:2, “Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?“
Again the point is made that the unconquerable see creature (evidently known to Job) cannot even be taken with something like a harpoon. These first two verses challenge Job’s relative insignificant humanity in comparison to God’s power and dominion over all Creation. The ensuing verses however animate and anthropomorphize the sea creature, such that Leviathan becomes a metaphor.
Job 41:3, “Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?“
The question is will this Leviathan beg Job for mercy? Will the leviathan intreat with tender words to Job as one would appeal to God for mercy?
Job 41:4, “Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?“
Will the Leviathan made a pledge or a promise to Job? Will Job be able to have Leviathan as an eternal slave? (as though he would be willing to be subject to Job…which he would not!)
Job 41:5, “Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?“
Could Leviathan be played with as a pet bird? Could Job trap and cage Leviathan to keep for his own young girls as a pet?
Job 41:6, “Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?“
If Job could actually catch Leviathan, would Job try to make merchandise of him?, or would Job try to sell parts of Leviathan to his associates?
Job 41:7, “Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?“
This question renews the issue of is it possible for Job to catch Leviathan…and kill Leviathan?
Job 41:8, “Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.“
This continues the point. If Job can catch Leviathan, then simply make a record of that battle with him, Job need not do anymore.
Job 41:9, “Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?“
This verse is effectively saying, forget it Job, you do not have a chance in getting him. It is futile for anyone to think that they could succeed. Anyone who thinks it is possible is simply deceiving himself because he would be “hurled back” (“cast down“) just at the sight of Leviathan.
Job 41:10, “None [is so] fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?“
The reason is that there is nothing so “fierce” (“overpoweringly deadly”) to confront Leviathan: what person could possibly “stand” (“present themselves”) before God, Himself? (face to face)
Job 41:11, “Who hath prevented me, that I should repay [him? whatsoever is] under the whole heaven is mine.“
This verse is effectively saying, “Who has gone before God, such that God should answer to that person “peace or reward”? Is there anyone who existed before God…? and…Finally, all of Creation belongs to God!
We could say that these last two verses are an “aside” commentary by God to make the following point…Regarding this creation of God’s, Leviathan, no human being is strong or bold enough to arouse and contend with Leviathan, much less anyone thinking that they can stand face to face before God! God is greater than Leviathan because God created him. Likewise, who is it that leads, or precedes God to show Him what to do? Is there anyone that is before God that God should reward that person? The answer is NO ONE!
The Apostle Paul reiterates these points almost verbatim as we read in Romans 11:33-36, “¶O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?¶For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.“
Other pertinent verses:
Exodus 19:5, “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:“
Deuteronomy 10:14, “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens [is] the LORD’S thy God, the earth [also], with all that therein [is].“
Psalm 24:1, “¶[[A Psalm of David.]] The earth [is] the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”
Psalm 50:12, “If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world [is] mine, and the fulness thereof.“
1 Corinthians 10:26, “For the earth [is] the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.“
1 Corinthians 10:28, “But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth [is] the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:“
Job 41:12, “I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.“
God is stating that He will not “conceal” (e.g., “be silent about”) the Leviathan’s “parts” (“lies”) nor the Leviathan’s “power” (“strength”).
It should be noted that there is something that is very significant in this verse, in which God has provided us with another “Hidden Spiritual Gem“. The original Hebrew word that was translated by the King James translators as “parts” is בַּד (baḏ)H907, is translated everywhere else in the Bible as either lie (3x) or liar (2x). The King James translators were not thinking “spiritually”, but rather “literally”, and therefore inserted “parts” rather than “lies”, because, from a “literal” perspective, “lies” did not make any sense to them. However, from a “spiritual” perspective, given that God is describing the devil in a metaphoric way, “lies” makes perfect sense. When Jesus denounced the Jews who sought to kill him, Jesus said in John 8:44, “Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” God concealed the truth of the passage from the translators (and hence from most casual readers of the English Bible), but now God has allowed the truth to be told (given that we are now in the end times). For another example of how the translators saw only the literal implications, and not the spiritual, of such passages…Please see the post: “Hidden Spiritual Gem #5 in the Bible: A Misinterpretation Found In Nehemiah Chapter 2“
God will also not be silent about the Leviathan’s beautiful appearance (“estimation”, “value”, “price”, or “frame”). God created Leviathan as a metaphor for the devil to make the point that the devil was an amazing creation. The devil is evil, a murderer, and the father of lies. He is also beguiling. Even when the devil is first introduced in Genesis 3:1, we were told that the “serpent” (the devil) was “more ‘subtil’ than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made” And the original Hebrew word translated as “subtil” is עָרוּם (ʿārûm)H6175 which is more often interpreted as “cunning” and “crafty” in an evil manner.
Remember also how the devil was metaphorically described by God as “king of Tyrus” in Ezekiel 28:12-19 that included his having the following attributes: “Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.”and “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God;” and “Thou [wast] perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” and “thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness:I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.”
God created the leviathan (the devil) with purpose; for his parts (his evil lies), strength (his will), and appearance (his attractive beguiling nature to the reprobate sons of Adam). The devil is full of lies, is deceitful, and is seductive with those lies.
For more on how God uses the devil as a tool for God’s purposes, please see this post: “The Songs of Moses“
The following verses provide a description of leviathan’s “physical” attributes.
Job 41:13, “Who can discover the face of his garment? [or] who can come [to him] with his double bridle?“
The first question can be understood to mean, “Who can cause to be uncovered how the leviathan (devil) appears, or what form he takes?”…the answer is NO one but God!
The second question can be understood to mean, “Who can come near to the leviathan (devil) with a doubly strong restraint of both his actions and his mouth?”…the answer is NO one but God!
Essentially, God is making the point that there is no one else but God who can be brave enough to come close enough and has authority enough to know his looks (devices) and not be threatened even if the leviathan (devil) is doubly restrained.
Job 41:14, “Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth [are] terrible round about.“
This question begs the question of who is it that can control of the mouth of the leviathan?, because the doors of the face are his jaws, and the leviathan’s teeth are dreadful round about. The leviathan is a devourer! …the answer is NO one but God!
Note:Both verses 13 and 14 make reference to the face and mouth…from which come “words”, which in the case of the devil will only be deceitful, murderous, lies.
Job 41:15, “[His] scales [are his] pride, shut up together as [with] a close seal.“
The leviathan’s “scales” is the original Hebrew word, אָפִיק (‘āp̄îq)H650, which has translated variously into English as river (10x), channel (3x), stream (2x), brooks (1x), mighty (1x), scales (1x), strong (1x), so it is difficult to be sure of the exact spiritual meaning, but clearly it is a feature that is integral to the leviathan’s (devil’s) “pride” (meaning “arrogant pride”). Moreover, those prideful features are tightly bound together.
But how they are bound is a bit of a mystery, because the word that is translated by the King James translators as “close” is the original Hebrew word, צַר (ṣar)H6862, which has been translated variously in following manner: enemy (37x), adversary (26x), trouble (17x), distress (5x), affliction (3x), foes (2x), narrow (2x), strait (2x), flint (1x), sorrow (1x), miscellaneous (9x). It would seem that it could be saying that they are bound together…as in a tight, adversarial, and distressing manner with a seal (like that used with a king’s signet ring). By implication again, ONLY God is able break asunder those features of Leviathan (devil).
Job 41:16, “One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.“
This verse reiterates and amplifies how tightly those “features of pride” of Leviathan are bound together. From a purely physical perspective it is easy to understand this to be stating only that no air can come between them (which at least does suggest that no physical life could exist there, because life needs air to continue). However, the original Hebrew word that is translated as “air” is רוּחַ (rûaḥ)H7307, which has been translated variously as Spirit or spirit (232x), wind (92x), breath (27x), side (6x), mind (5x), blast (4x), vain (2x), air (1x), anger (1x), cool (1x), courage (1x), miscellaneous (6x). So we could also say that it is not just physical life, but spiritual life, that cannot breach those features of pride of the Leviathan (hence the devil).
Job 41:17, “They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.”
Leviathan’s (devil’s) “features of pride” are so strongly bound that they “stick together”, such that they simply are impenetrable and cannot be separated apart. We should consider that this leviathan (representing the devil) thinks that his exterior, composed of his pride, is impenetrable. His body is tightly joined, which would could say in the case of the devil would be comprised of his followers who are unified (cannot be separated or divided) and a source of his pride in that they offer no hope of life (eternal life).
Job 41:18, “By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes [are] like the eyelids of the morning.“
The word “neesings” is translated from the original Hebrew word, עֲטִישָׁה (ʿăṭîšâ)H5846, which is found only once in the Bible, and is consistently considered to mean “sneezings”. The “light” is the same original Hebrew word, אוֹר (‘ôr)H216, which we read about in Genesis 1:3, “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” and then in Genesis 1:5, “And God called the lightDay,…” so we can deduce that the leviathan “appeared” to bring “daylight”. This is made more clear by saying that the leviathan’s eyes were “like” the “dawning” of the “morning”.
But let us not forget how God described the devil in Isa 14:12, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! [how] art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!” The point being that the devil comes looking like the Savior, Jesus Christ, who is spoken of in Malachi 4:2, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” The devil mimics/imitates Jesus, but he can only kill and never make alive. So we can see yet another analogy between the leviathan and the devil in this verse as well.
Job 41:19, “Out of his mouth go burning lamps, [and] sparks of fire leap out“.
The word “lamps” is, in the original Hebrew, לַפִּיד (lapîḏ)H3940, which has been translated variously as lamp (7x), firebrand (2x), torch (2x), brand (1x), lightning (1x), burning (1x). Here again an analogy is being made between the leviathan (the devil) exhibiting the appearance of Jesus.
Isaiah 62:1, “For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp(לַפִּיד (lapîḏ))H3940 [that] burneth.”
Daniel 10:6, “His body also [was] like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps (לַפִּיד (lapîḏ))H3940of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.”
Jeremiah 23:29, “[Is] not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer [that] breaketh the rock in pieces?“
Rev 1:14-16, “His head and [his] hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance [was] as the sun shineth in his strength.”
The association of these leviathan attributes with Jesus are striking, but we have to remember what we are told in 2 Corinthians 11:14, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”
Job 41:20, “Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as [out] of a seething pot or caldron.”
Look at how amazingly this verse and the following mimic/imitate the attributes declared to be associated with God!
Psalm 18:6-15, “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness [was] under his feet. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him [were] dark waters [and] thick clouds of the skies. At the brightness [that was] before him his thick clouds passed, hail [stones] and coals of fire. The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail [stones] and coals of fire. Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.” [NOTE: The word, “channels” is in the original Hebrew, אָפִיק (‘āp̄îq)H650, which is the same word found earlier in verse 15, but there was translated as “scales”!]
Job 41:21, “His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.“
The original Hebrew word translated as “coals” is, גַּחֶלֶת (gaḥeleṯ)H1513, which the King James translators interpreted variously as: coals (17x), coals of fire (1x).
The original Hebrew word translated as “flame” is לַהַב (lahaḇ)H3851, which the King James translators interpreted variously as: flame (8x), blade (2x), glittering (1x), bright (1x).
So then, we could say that this verse could also read: “The leviathan’s (devil’s) ‘soul’ kindeleth ‘coals of fire’ and a flame goeith out of his mouth“. Again we are reminded how this mimics what we read of God 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.”
This is completely consistent with what we find regarding the devil desiring to be just like God in Isaiah 14:14, “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” but we know the devil’s fate as it is stated clearly in the very next verse in Isaiah 14:15, “Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.“
Job 41:22, “In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.”
The original Hebrew word translated as “strength” is עֹז (ʿōz)H5797, which the King James translators interpreted variously as: strength (60x), strong (17x), power (11x), might (2x), boldness (1x), loud (1x), mighty (1x).
So we could say that this verse is also saying “In leviathan’s (devil’s) neck dwells strength”…therefore we could say that the leviathan, hence the devil, is “stiffnecked”.
The second part of the verse makes it clear that the leviathan, hence the devil, rejoices in bringing sorrow…he thrives on it!
Job 41:23, “The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.“
The original Hebrew word translated as “flakes is “מַפָּל (mapāl)“, which the King James translators interpreted variously as: flakes (1x), refuse (1x). but when looked at more closely, the idea is that which is “falling off” or “saggings” of the leviathan’s skin.
The original Hebrew word translated as “firm” is יָצַק (yāṣaq)H3332, which the King James translators interpreted variously as: pour (21x), cast (11x), …out (7x), molten (6x), firm (2x), set down (1x), fast (1x), groweth (1x), hard (1x), overflown (1x), stedfast (1x).
So we could say that this verse is also saying that “The saggings of the leviathan’s (the devil’s) flesh cleave to him and are firm (overflowing and stedfast)and unmovable in themselves.” The leviathan’s (the devil’s) being is firm, strong, and impenetrable, and fat with his prey.
Job 41:24, “His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether [millstone].”
The first part of this verse tells us that leviathan’s (the devil’s) heart is as “firm” (again יָצַק (yāṣaq)H3332) as a stone (אֶבֶן (‘eḇen))H68 which leads us to another mimicing by the leviathan (the devil) of God, as we read in Genesis 49:24, “But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty [God] of Jacob; (from thence [is] the shepherd, the stone (אֶבֶן (‘eḇen))H68of Israel:).
The second part of the verse reiterates the hardness of leviathan’s heart…it is as hard (firm, יָצַק (yāṣaq)H3332) as a piece of a nether (“lower” as in deep, underground, as in a hard rock mine). [NOTE: that “millstone” is implied, but evidently is a reasonable translation, as millstones are made of very hard rock].
We can all agree that the devil is extremely “hard hearted”!
Job 41:25, “When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.
This is an extremely difficult verse to exegete, because of the incredible variance in the meanings of each of the five original Hebrew words found within it. The single original Hebrew word that is translated as “When he raiseth up himself” is שְׂאֵת (śᵊ’ēṯ)H7613, which the King James translators have interpreted variously as: rising (7x), dignity (2x), excellency (2x), accepted (1x), highness (1x), raise up (1x). This is reminiscent of what we find in 2 Thessalonians 2:3&4, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
The original Hebrew word for “themighty” is אַיִל (‘ayil)H352, which the King James translators interpreted variously as: ram(s) (156x), post(s) (21x), mighty (men) (4x), trees (2x), lintel (1x), oaks (1x).
So it could just be that there is a much more complex “spiritual” meaning to be had from this verse than it would initially be understood in a cursory reading from only a purely “earthly” perspective…
It may just be that this verse could be telling us on a “spiritual” level that “Because of the uprising excellency of the Leviathan (the devil), the sons of men (גּוּר (gûr)H1481), scatter and dwell together for fear of him and by reason of breaking (שֶׁבַר (šeḇar)H7667), meaning ruin or destruction, as in Proverbs 16:18) they (the sons of men) (חָטָא (ḥāṭā’)H2398), and either cleanse, meaning attempt to cleanse; OR sin, meaning do the same, as in create ruin themselves. So when the devil rules, men are subject to and objects of his destruction, so much so, that they seek to get right with him (purify themselves via the devil’s false gospels).
Job 41:26, “The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.“
There is no earthly weapon of war that can rise up and reach (defeat) the leviathan, therefore no man can harm or kill leviathan (the devil) or be able to defend himself from him. But we know that God can destroy the devil bearing in mind these verses:
Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.“
Revelation 1:16, describing The Lord Jesus Christ having the “Sword” that can defeat the devil, “And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance [was] as the sun shineth in his strength.”
This once again brings to mind the words penned by Martin Luther in “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (ca 1528/1529 AD) describing the devil and his ultimate defeat by the Lord Jesus Christ :
For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, And, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth is His name, From age to age the same, And He must win the battle.
And tho’ this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us; We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim — We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him.
Job 41:27, “He esteemeth iron as straw, [and] brass as rotten wood.“
This verse is much more straight forward. The leviathan (the devil) regards iron as weak as straw, [and] brass as nothing but rotten wood.
However, we should be cognizant again of how these two metals are referenced elsewhere in the Bible. These two metals are spiritual references to God’s Judgments for sin and are intimately linked with Hell, the ultimate punishment.
God promised to national Israel if they were disobedient to His Commandments, which included what we are told in
Leviticus 26:18&19, “And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:“
In Psalm 107:16, we read prophetically about Jesus conquering Hell for the believers, “For he (Jesus) hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.” and
In Isaiah 45:2, “I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:“
The bottom line is that leviathan (the devil) has no regard for God’s wrath and judgment and dismisses that impending doom as though he will not be subject to them somehow despite what the devil was told explicitly in Isaiah 14:12-15.
Job 41:28, “The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble.“
This would seem to be a reiteration of the points made in the previous verses. No earthly weapon can defeat the leviathan (the devil).
Job 41:29, “Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.“
The darts (clubs) are likewise regarded as “stubble” (harmless chaff). The leviathan (the devil) laughs at the shaking (rattling) of another earthly weapon, a spear, at him.
Job 41:30, “Sharp stones [are] under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.“
1) The first part of this verse tells us that “Sharp stones” are underneath the leviathan. When we look at the original Hebrew word for “stones“, which is חֶרֶשׂ (ḥereś)H2789, it has actually been variously translated by the King James translators elsewhere in the Bible as: earthen (8x), potsherd (5x), sherd (2x), stone (1x), earth (1x). So we can see that the verse is actually telling us that broken pieces of pottery are underneath this monstrous beast. When we compare scripture with scripture we find that this is spiritually referring to the broken souls of mankind. God is the Potter and we are the vessels of earth made by His Hands. Please see the study: “The Potter and the Clay“
Remembering that those who are in league with the devil, the heathen, Jesus will break in pieces on Judgment Day just like He said in Psalm 2:7-9, “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou [art] my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth [for] thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.“
Compare with Revelation 2:27, “And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.“
2) The second part of the verse includes some key words that make the exegesis difficult. When we look at the original Hebrew word for “spreadeth“, which is רָפַד (rāp̄aḏ)H7502, it has actually been variously translated by the King James translators elsewhere in the Bible as: spread (1x), made (1x), comfort (1x). However, that word is (according to “Strong’s Definitions”) “by implication, to refresh:—comfort, make (a bed), spread.”
Interestingly, the original Hebrew word translated as “sharp pointed things” is חָרוּץ (ḥārûṣ)H2742, which has been translated by the King James translators elsewhere in the Bible variously as: gold (6x), diligent (5x), decision (2x), threshing instrument (2x), sharp (1x), sharp things (1x), wall (1x).
Finally, the original Hebrew word translated as “mire” is טִיט (ṭîṭ)H2916, which has been translated by the King James translators elsewhere in the Bible variously as: mire (8x), clay (3x), dirt (2x). However, when we look at the contexts in which this word “mire” is found, we find the that the word is intimately linked with Hell:
Psalm 40:2, “He (God) brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out ofH2916 the miry clay,H2916 and set my feet upon a rock, [and] established my goings.“
Psalm 69:14, “Deliver me out of the mire,H2916 and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.“
We might say therefore that God seems to be making a “spiritual” point that the leviathan (the devil) makes his bed in Hell upon these broken potsherds (the destroyed souls of men), that he “threshed”, as though they were “gold” to him. Isaiah 45:9, “Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! [Let] the potsherd (חֶרֶשׂ (ḥereś))H2789 [strive] with the potsherds (חֶרֶשׂ (ḥereś))H2789of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?” Clearly God is comparing sinful mankind as being like “potsherds”.
Note: Another original Hebrew word that has been translated into English as “mire” is חֹמֶר (ḥōmer)H2563, which has been translated variously as: clay (11x), homer (11x), morter (4x), mire (2x), heap (2x). When we look closely at the contexts, we see another similar theme: Isaiah 29:16, “Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed asH2563 the potter’s clay:H2563 for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?” We see that the mire is the material that the potter crafts into pots. And then in Job 10:9, “Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay;H2563 and wilt thou bring me into dust again?” and finally in Job 10:9, “Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay;H2563 and wilt thou bring me into dust again?” Which also brings us back to Genesis 3:19, where God cursed Adam for his disobedience, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return.” Again, please the study: “The Potter and the Clay”
Job 41:31, “He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.”
1) In the first part of the verse, the original Hebrew word for “deep” is מְצוֹלָה (mᵊṣôlâ)H4688, which has been translated by the King James translators elsewhere in the Bible variously as: deep (5x), deeps (3x), depths (2x), bottom (1x). But the meaning is to be found within the context of where the word is applied, which clearly once again points us to “Hell”.
Psalm 69:2, “I sink in deepH4688 mire, where [there is] no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
Psalm 69:15, “Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deepH4688 swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.“
Psalm 88:6, “Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.H4688“
Jonah 2:3, “For thou hadst cast me into the deep,H4688 in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.” (Please also see: “The Book of Jonah”)
2) In the second part of the verse, the original Hebrew word for “like a pot of ointment” is מֶרְקָחָה (merqāḥâ)H4841, is only found twice in the Bible as either pot of ointment (1x), well (1x), but is taken from a root word, רָקַח (rāqaḥ)H7543 that is typical of a sweet smelling ointment of the apothecary used for “anointing” a we see in Exodus 30:25, “And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary:H7543 it shall be an holy anointing oil.”
It would seem as though, from “spiritual” standpoint that the leviathan (the devil) is intimately associated with making Hell to boil like a cauldron and Hell to serve as his anointing oil that might seem sweet, but only destroys.
Job 41:32, “He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.“
The first part of this verse is straightforward, but the word “shine” is the word אוֹר (‘ôr)H215 again, so the leviathan (the devil) gives the appearance of having his pathway be a source of light and life, and in doing so it means that the light is influenced or perverted by him.
The second part of the verse is a bit more complex as the original Hebrew word for “[one] would think” is חָשַׁב (ḥāšaḇ)H2803, which the King James translators have interpreted variously as: count (23x), devise (22x), think (18x), imagine (9x), cunning (8x), reckon (7x), purpose (6x), esteem (6x), account (5x), impute (4x), forecast (2x), regard (2x), workman (2x), conceived (1x), miscellaneous (9x).
and the he original Hebrew word for “the deep” is תְּהוֹם (tᵊhôm)H8415, which the King James translators have interpreted variously as: deep (20x), depth (15x), deep places (1x). However, when we again look at the contexts where this word is found, we again see a direct correlation with “Hell” such as in Jonah 2:5, “The waters compassed me about, [even] to the soul: the depthH8415 closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.”
But then we see this reference to the word “hoary”, which in the original Hebrew is שֵׂיבָה (śêḇâ)H7872, translated variously as: old age (6x), gray hairs (6x), hoar head (3x), hoary head (2x), grayheaded (1x), hoary (1x). This word gives us an important clue. In Proverbs 16:31, “The hoary headH7872 [is] a crown of glory, [if] it be found in the way of righteousness.“
So then, could this verse be saying that the leviathan (the devil) gives the appearance of having his pathway be a source of light and life, leading “one” to think/imagine/reckon that this pathway is one of wisdom (being “hoary”)? But the believer knows that it is not, because it is not “in the way of righteousness“! The devil, “He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”(1 John 2:22). The devil comes looking like Jesus, but is a liar and a deceiver.
Is not this that we are told in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, “For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.“
The “false Christ” offers only false hope, and he comes with a false gospel and the reward is only Hell.
Job 41:33, “Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.”
The first part of this verse is indeed very straightforward. And we sing in “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”…”On earth is not his equal.” The devil reigns supreme over this world. We should also remember what Jesus said in John 18:36, “Jesus answered,Mykingdomisnotofthisworld: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.“
The original Hebrew word for “made” is חַת (ḥaṯ)H2844, which has been translated variously as: dread (1x), broken (1x), fear (1x), dismayed (1x).
So it would seem that we are reminded that the leviathan (the devil) has no equal on earth, and he does/executes/works without any dread. The devil is fearless in his destructive actions.
The Horror is…the devil does not fear anything, even the Wrath of God! This is the terrible nature of all of reprobate mankind (the children of pride). They neither love God, nor fear God’s Wrath! Therefore they will never sue God for mercy, and are just like the devil with whom they are allied, and are destined only for the same fate…destruction and an eternity in Hell.
Job 41:34, “He beholdeth all high [things]: he is a king over all the children of pride.“
The original Hebrew word for “high” is גָּבֹהַּ (gāḇōha)H1364, which the King James translators have interpreted variously as: high (24x), higher (5x), lofty (2x), exceeding (1x), haughty (1x), height (1x), highest (1x), proud (1x), proudly (1x).
So we can interpret this verse as saying that the leviathan (the devil) perceives all high, lofty, haughty and proud [things], and is the king over all of the children of pride. Remembering what God says about all such in Psalm 10:4, “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek [after] God: God [is] not in all his thoughts.” Proverbs 16:18, “Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.“
“His craft and power are great, And, armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.”
Conclusion
Job Chapter 42 makes clear that just as Job, the man, has no power to subdue the leviathan (a beastly creation of God), so too no man can subdue the devil (another beastly creation of God). The Good News is that God, through the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ, not only can subdue the devil and his evil devices, but will destroy the devil forever on Judgment Day.
The “leviathan” as presented in Job, Chapter 41, is an allegorical account detailing the strength, power, wisdom, and appeal of the devil, which no one can ever even hope to overcome and/or resist, in and of himself or herself. And most frightening of all, the devil has all knowledge that is far above any man of God’s ways and means. The devil understands the parables/proverbs of God and their “spiritual” meanings.
We should be reminded of Daniel 8:23-25, “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify [himself] in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.“
James 2:19, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.“
But the devil CANNOT obey!…he CANNOT love God…or anyone!!
Repentance, Redemption and Restoration
So the message to us is that Job saw that his piety, his faith, his respect of God could not save him.
Job was awakened to the reality that God Is The Creator, and that God created both the “behemoth” and the “leviathan” (stubborn prideful creatures picturing the devil) to serve God’s purposes…just as God actually created the devil, the adversary, for God’s purposes… and that only God will ultimately have the power to destroy the him on Judgment Day.
In Job 42:6, we read that Job repented when confronted with the reality of his inherent sin, along with recognizing the power of the adversary (the devil, the very one who brought upon Job all of his, and all of mankind’s, agonies).
Job learned that only God, as Lord and Savior (Jesus Christ, Job’s Redeemer), had the power to save him from his sins. The same is true for every human being! (Job 19:25, “For I know [that] my redeemer liveth, and [that] he shall stand at the latter [day] upon the earth:“)
Job Understood His Need for Redemption and Reconciliation.
Only the awakened sinner will realize his or her helpless estate, and that he or she is no match for the devil, let alone for the Almighty God, Who created all things, including all of mankind and the devil.
The final message is that everyone must repent of all sins and humbly seek God’s mercy, which is found only in the Person and Work of God’s Son, The Lord Jesus Christ. God decrees full restoration upon the repentant sinner so that those within the Elect Body of Christ can once again come into the presence of God…but to a MUCH better place than the Garden of Eden…they will be together with the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, in the New Heavens and New Earth.
Psalm 34:18, “The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” and Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.“
Dear reader, if there be ANY doubt in your mind as to the validity of this study concerning the “Leviathan” and its spiritual representation of the devil as being in all conformity with God’s Word, then please carefully ponder again God’s statement concerning Judgment Day and the devil’s destruction for eternity: Isaiah 27:1, “¶In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that [is] in the sea.“
Posted January 1, 2026 by bereansearching Categories:Bible Studies
The “Behemoth” described by God to Job in Job 40:15-24 is commonly imagined to be some kind of sauropod dinosaur, like the Apatosaurus louisae (illustrated here), because it exhibits many of the same “physical” features. The reality, however, is not whether or not there is a physical earthly counterpoint (current or extinct), but rather that there is a “spiritual” aspect to God’s description, which is not commonly known, understood, or taught…because it is a “parable” that must be “spiritually” discerned.
Introduction
In the Book of Job, chapter 40, God dedicates the last ten verses of the chapter to provide His description of a very large and fearsome land dwelling creature, which is called “behemoth”, leaving one to wonder what is the point of that? Was it simply to provide an example of God’s great might and superior creative power whereby Job would thus be diminished by comparison? Or is there something else…beyond the physical…which could easily be overlooked when understanding the Bible only from a literal, grammatical, and historical perspective?
This study will show that there is, indeed, far more than just meets the “physical” eye as viewed from only a human perspective, if God is so pleased to allow one to see from a “spiritual” perspective, having blessed him or her with “Spiritual Ears and Spiritual Eyes“. God also specifies in 1 Corinthians 2:13, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” The means of comparing spiritual things with spiritual is by carefully comparing of scripture with scripture, searching out the words for their original Hebrew meanings, because all Biblical scripture is spiritual, precisely as we are told in 2 Peter 1:21, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.“
Spiritual Perspective:This study will show that God provided to Job (and us) with a spiritual allegorical portrait of the great adversary of God and all mankind, the Devil/Satan.
Dear reader, please read on to see the explanation of this otherwise hidden spiritual truth.
Before reading further, this teacher would like the reader to understand what is a “parable” and how and why Jesus ALWAYS employed parables when speaking to the multitudes. Moreover, the purpose of “parables” (often referred to as “earthly stories with heavenly meanings”) has everything to do with God’s Magnificent Plan of Salvation. Therefore, the Bible should NEVER be assumed to be read and understood from a purely superficial, earthly, perspective.
Verse by Verse, Hebraic Word Study of Job 40:15-24
Beginning in Job 40:15, when God was speaking to Job out of a “whirlwind“, we are first introduced to an unusually large and strong creature whom God describes as the “behemoth“, saying:
1)Job 40:15, “Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass (חָצִיר (ḥāṣîr))H2682 as an ox.”
So then the behemoth, which in the original Hebrew is בַּהֲמוֹת (bahămôṯ)H930 (a masculine noun that is found only once in the whole Bible), is another “creature”, just like Job, a man, who only God, Alone, could make. The Behemoth was also evidently created at about the same time. Note that the behemoth is described as being a vegetarian because he eats “grass” like an ox (and hence not a carnivore, at least it appears to be the case until we look more closely at this verse).
But what does God have to say about “grass” in the Bible? One thing that we are told in both the Old and New Testaments is that, from a spiritual perspective, mankind can be likened to grass as we read in Psalm 103:15&16, “[As for] man, his days [are] as grass (חָצִיר (ḥāṣîr))H2682: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.” and 1 Peter 1:24, “For all flesh [is] as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:“
Spiritual Perspective: So, oddly enough, it would seem that the behemoth could be “spiritually” viewed as capable of eating people? It is therefore worth remembering what we are told in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; becauseyour adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:“
* Interestingly, the Hebrew word for “behemoth” is closely associated with another Hebrew word, בְּהֵמָה (bᵊhēmâ)H929, which is found nearly 200 times in the Bible, interpreted as either beast (136x), cattle (53x). And it should be particularly noted what we are told in Genesis 3:14&15, when God cursed the devil, “And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou [art] cursed above all cattle (בְּהֵמָה (bᵊhēmâ))H929and above every beast (חַי (ḥay))H2416of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” [NOTE: The word that is translated as “beast”, חַי (ḥay)H2416, is translated elsewhere in the Old Testament variously as live (197x), life (144x), beast (76x), alive (31x), creature (15x),running (7x), living thing (6x), raw (6x), miscellaneous (19x). Therefore, from a spiritual standpoint, it could be interpreted to mean “all living creatures”.]
2)Job 40:16, we read, “Lo now, his strength [is] in his loins, and his force [is] in the navel of his belly.”
Each word has various alternative ways of being translated into English.
The word for “strength” is in the original Hebrew כֹּחַ (kōaḥ)H3581, which has been translated by the King James translators variously as strength (58x), power (47x), might (7x), force (3x), ability (2x), able (2x), able (with H6113) (1x), chameleon(1x), fruits (1x), powerful (1x), substance (1x), wealth (1x). [Note that one time it is translated as a large unclean lizard, which is a bit surprising to say the least.]
The word for “force” is in the original Hebrew is אוֹן (‘ôn)H202, which has been translated by the King James translators variously as strength (7x), might (2x), force (1x), goods (1x), substance (1x). It can be said that it is referring to vigor, generative power, wealth, or physical strength. However, interestingly, it is derived from the root word, אָוֶן (‘āven)H205, which has been translated by the King James translators variously as iniquity (47x), wicked(ness) (8x), vanity (6x), affliction (3x),mischief (3x), unrighteous(2x), evil (1x), false (1x), idol (1x), mourners (1x), mourning (1x), nought(1x), sorrow(1x), unjust (1x), vain (1x).
Spiritual Perspective: Note that each of these attributes can be “spiritually” ascribed to the devil, one way or another.
The word for “navel” is שָׁרִיר (šārîr)H8306, which is only found once in the entire Bible (here in Job), but is similar to שֹׁר (H8270) and שֹׁרֶר (H8326), which have also been translated as “navel” and refer to a hard part of the belly or umbilical cord. However, interestingly enough, the word is said to derived from a root word, שָׁרַר (shârar)H8324, which is said to be hostile, an opponent, hence an “enemy”.
Spiritual Perspective: So then, we see repetitive indications that the behemoth is a creature that is NOT “good”, but has power and might that can be associated with a large lurking lizard, that is potentially “wicked” and having negative connotations such as that which can be associated with an “enemy” just like the devil. For additional insights on how these words can be metaphorically linked to the devil, please see “The Devil in Disguise: Haman the Agagite and Amalekite“
3)Job 40:17, “He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.“
The original Hebrew word that has been translated into English as “moveth” is חָפֵץ (ḥāp̄ēṣ)H2654, which has been interpreted variously as delight (39x), please (14x), desire (9x), will (3x), pleasure (3x), favour (2x), like (2x), moveth (1x), would (1x), at all (1x). So, therefore, we could say that this behemoth uses his tail for his pleasure and delight.
His “Tail”
Remember the red dragon, which served as a picture of the devil in Revelation 12:4, “And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth:and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.“
Spiritual Perspective:The devil “delighted”, and was “pleased”, to destroy one third of the angels with his “tail”. (Please see for example Jude 1:6)
The original Hebrew word that has been translated into English as “tail” is זָנָב (zānāḇ)H2180, and has consistently been interpreted solely as meaning “tail” (11x).
It is therefore worth a moment to consider the implications of this word, given that it consistently suggests a negative connotation. A few examples:
In Deuteronomy 28:13, while discussing the blessings that would come upon Israel if it continued in obedience to God, God said, “And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do [them]:” Note also that the reverse would be the case if Israel became disobedient according to Deuteronomy 28:44.
Isaiah 9:15, “The ancient and honourable, he [is] the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he [is] the tail. [Bearing in mind that God is the Ancient and Honorable and the Head, while the devil is the father of lies, and along with his prophets, is the tail. Jesus said, while describing the devil in John 8:44, “…When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.“]
Revelation 9:19, “For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails [were] like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.“
Note that the “tail” of the behemoth is compared with a “cedar” (a tree), which is quite large and strong, hence the thought of the tail being something equivalent to a large dinosaur’s tail (when viewed from a purely earthly perspective).
Finally, regarding “tail”, not how in Revelation, Chapter Nine, we read in verses 1&2 that, “¶And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.” A bit later in verse 10&11 we read how an army of locusts that had been loosed from the bottomless pit (a picture of Hell) and were described thusly, “And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. And they had a king over them, [which is] the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue [is] Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath [his] name Apollyon.” Abaddon and Apollyon means “Destroyer”, hence that king/angel is the devil, who we know will be loosed by God during the Final Tribulation.
Near the end of the chapter we read of an army of 200 million horsemen described in verses 17-19, “And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses [were] as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.“By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails [were] like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.”
So these “horses” embodied the three key elements of God’s Judgment as we read in Revelation 14:10&11, “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”
Note also that their “power” was in their “mouths” and their “tails” which were like that of “serpents”. This is clearly reminding us that the devil (represented by the serpent), “destroys” both with his tail like the serpent and with his mouth by telling lies. In similar fashion, the behemoth’s tail is clearly powerful, and so is his mouth, which we will read about further on in Job 40:23.
The Sinews and Stones Are Wrapped Together
In the last part of the verse we read “the sinews of his stones are wrapped together“, where the word that is translated as “stones” is פחד (p̄ḥḏ)H6344 is found only this once in the whole Bible. However, nearly the exact same word, פַּחַד (paḥaḏ)H6343, is translated variously as fear (40x), dread (3x), great (2x), terror (2x), dreadful (1x), greatly (1x).
Spiritual Perspective: We could therefore say that, somehow, within the behemoth’s sinews and loins is only fear, dread, and terror wrapped together, therefore the behemoth is, by his very essence, quite dreadful…just like the devil.
There is also another more subtle implication when we look at both verses 16 and 17 taken together in that the “loins” and “stones” can also point to the behemoth’s progeny. And the devil’s progeny, or offspring, are his followers. Remember what Jesus said to the self righteous Pharisees in John 8:44, “Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.“
4) Job 40:18, “His bones [are as] strong pieces of brass; his bones [are] like bars of iron.”
This is a very important verse because it is describing the behemoth’s skeletal structure as being equivalent to both “strong pieces of brass” and “bars of iron“. “Brass” and “Iron” are used by God in the Bible to relate to the dominion of Hell. Let’s look at some examples, while bearing in mind what Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16:18, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter (Πέτρος (petros))G4074, and upon this rock (πέτρα (petra))G4073I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.“
In Psalm 107:16, we read prophetically about Jesus conquering Hell for the believers, “For he (Jesus)hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.” and in:
Isaiah 45:2, “I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:“
In Deuteronomy 4:20, we read where God compares the salvation of His people, National Israel, as thought they had been taken out Hell (Egypt) where the evil pharaoh was a “type” of the devil, “But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, [even] out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as [ye are] this day.” The “Iron furnace” is a clear reference to Hell, in which Egypt is being used as an allegory of Hell, from which God (by a mighty stretched out arm) brought out and saved His people.
Remember also the penalties that God promised to national Israel if they were disobedient to His Commandments, which included what we are told in Leviticus 26:18&19, “And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:” In other words, the disobedient’s heaven will be like Hell.
Leviticus 26:19, “And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:”
Similarly, in Deuteronomy 28:23, “And thy heaven that [is] over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee [shall be] iron.” and
Deuteronomy 33:25, “Thy shoes [shall be] iron and brass; and as thy days, [so shall] thy strength [be].”
Isaiahj 48:4, “Because I knew that thou [art] obstinate, and thy neck [is] an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;“
Job 28:2, “Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten [out] of the stone.“
Remember also the description of the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ first in Daniel 10:6, “His body also [was] like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lampsof fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.” and then in Revelation 1:15, “And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.” Similarly we read in Revelation 10:1, “And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow [was] upon his head, and his face [was] as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars offire:” Indeed, in order to defeat death and Hell, Jesus had to endure death and Hell. And let’s not forget the Brass Serpent on the pole, which God used to represent the fact that Jesus had to become sin for His Elect and that Jesus had to endure the fires of Hell in order to save them.
For more on how God uses “Iron” as a metaphor for “Hell”, please see this post: “The Songs of Moses“
Spiritual Perspective:We could therefore say, from a “spiritual” perspective, that the behemoth can be integrally associated with Hell, given that Hell is consistently represented in the Bible by both “brass” and “bars of iron”.
5) Job 40:19, “He [is] the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach [unto him].“
The word for “chief” is in the original Hebrew רֵאשִׁית (rē’šîṯ)H7225, which has been translated by the King James translators variously as beginning (18x), firstfruits (11x), first (9x), chief (8x), miscellaneous (5x). The word for “ways” is in the original Hebrew דֶּרֶךְ (dereḵ)H1870, which has been translated by the King James translators variously as way (590x), toward (31x), journey (23x), manner (8x), miscellaneous (53x).
The first part of this verse could therefore also be interpreted as saying that the behemoth was from the “beginning”, or “first”, accustomed with the ways of God. Remembering that in Daniel 8:23, which describes the anti-Christ, the devil, “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.” Note that the word that is translated as “dark sayings” is from the original Hebrew חִידָה (ḥîḏâ)H2420, which has been translated variously as riddle (9x), dark sayings (3x), hard question (2x), dark sentence (1x), proverb (1x), dark speech (1x). Hence the devil understands spiritual implications of God’s Word, but the devil cannot obey it, and can only pervert God’s Word and the devil is forever in rebellion to the Word because the devil is the epitome of evil.
Genesis 3:1 describes the devil (“the serpent“) thusly, “¶Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made…” God created him that way, and the devil serves Go’s purposes as the adversary (which in the Hebrew is שָׂטָן (śāṭān)H7854). Remember what God said in Isaiah 45:7, “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].“
In the second part of the verse we see that it is God who not only made the behemoth, fashioned him, and purposed him, but it is only God who can approach near to that behemoth with a “sword”. What does that imply?
The word for “sword” is in the original Hebrew, חֶרֶב (ḥereḇ)H2719, which has been translated by the King James translators variously as sword (401x), knife (5x), dagger (3x), axes (1x), mattocks (1x), TOOL (1x), sword (with H3027) (1x), so it is safe to say that this is meant to be a weapon that is used to kill and destroy. For more on how this word is used by God in the Bible, particularly as it relates to God’s Judgment, please see this post: “Lightning, Swords, and Arrows: Weapons of Judgment Coming on Judgment Day“
The words taken together “make” “to approach” are from the original Hebrew word, נָגַשׁ (nāḡaš)H5066, which as been translated by the King James translators variously as (come, draw, etc)..near (55x), come (14x), (come, draw, etc)..nigh (12x), bring (13x), … hither (7x), offer (7x), approach (5x), forth (3x), miscellaneous (9x). Hence, the word is suggesting a very close approach.
The “Sword” is the “Word of God” Coming Out of the Mouth of Jesus!
The Word of God is equated to a “sword” here in Ephesians 6:17, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” and Revelation 19:21, “And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.“ Also, Revelation 2:16, “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
We were also told earlier in the Book of Revelation in Revelation 1:16, “He (Jesus) had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharptwo–edgedsword, and His countenance [was] like the sun shining in its strength.” and in Revelation 2:12, “¶And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he (Jesus) which hath the sharp sword with two edges;“
Hosea 6:5, “Therefore have I hewed [them] by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments [are as] the light [that] goeth forth.“
It is worth recalling the words in the Hymn by Martin Luther, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (ca 1528/1529 AD)
A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing; Our shelter He, amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, And, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth is His name, From age to age the same, And He must win the battle.
And tho’ this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us; We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim — We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers — No thanks to them — abideth: The Spirit and the gifts are ours Thro’ Him who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also; The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.
Spiritual Perspective: It will be the Word of God (Jesus Christ), coming as a Sword of Judgment that will come near to kill and destroy the devil forever on Judgment Day.
6) Job 40:20, “Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.”
The mountains in the Bible refer to kingdoms. And the kingdoms of this world provide this behemoth his food/prey and it is where the “beasts” of the fields “play”.
As was noted earlier, referring back to Genesis 3:14&15, the original Hebrew word that has been translated into English as “beasts” is חַי (ḥay)H2416, which has been interpreted variously as live (197x), life (144x), beast (76x), alive (31x), creature (15x), running (7x),living thing (6x), raw (6x), miscellaneous (19x). Therefore, from a spiritual standpoint, in this case, it could be interpreted to mean those who are “physically” “alive”.
The original Hebrew word that has been translated into English as “play” is שָׂחַק (śāḥaq)H7832, which has been interpreted variously as play (10x), laugh (10x), rejoice (3x), scorn (3x), sport (3x), merry (2x), mock (2x), deride (1x), derision (1x), mockers (1x), which for the most part can be viewed in the negative context consistent with mock, scorn, laugh, deride or showing contempt.
Note also that the Bible refers to the unsaved of mankind as “brute beasts” in both 2 Peter 2:12, “But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;” and in regard to what Jude 1:8 refers to as “filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.“, we read in Jude 1:10, “But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.”
And with regard to “mockers” and “scorners”, we read in Jude 1:17-19, “But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” and in Proverbs 3:34, “Surely he (the LORD) scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.” and Proverbs 19:29, “Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.“
Spiritual Perspective: So we can again see that the context can be viewed from a spiritual perspective as describing the devil finding his prey in the earthly kingdoms, where the unsaved live, typified by the beasts and mockers/scorners.
7)Job 40:21, “He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.“
The word in the original Hebrew that has been translated into English as “lieth” is שָׂחַק (śāḥaq)H7832, which has been interpreted by the King James translators variously as lie (106x), sleep (48x), lie down (43x), rest (3x), lien (2x), miscellaneous (10x). Interestingly, the Bible also uses this word to suggest a sexual context, as we see in Genesis 19:32-35 and elsewhere (e.g.,Genesis 26:10 and Genesis 30:15).
The word in the original Hebrew that has been translated into English as “shady trees” is צֶאֱלִים (ṣe’ĕlîm)H6628 is found only twice in the Bible, here and in the very next verse. It is said to also mean “Lotus tree” or “slender”, so it is difficult to ascribe a “spiritual meaning”, however the double use of the word and the context of the next verse makes clear that these shady trees provide a place of concealment and a hiding place. This context is made even more clear by the use of the next key word, “covert“.
Then the word in the original Hebrew that has been translated into English as “reed” is קָנֶה (qānê) H7070, which has been interpreted by the King James translators variously as reed (28x), branch (24x), calamus (3x), cane (2x), stalk (2x), balance (1x), bone (1x), spearmen (1x), so we can conclude that it is a reedy plant that is associated with a marshland based on it relationship with mire depicted by the next word “fens”
The word in the original Hebrew that has been translated into English as “fens” is בִּצָּה (biṣṣâ)H1207, which has been interpreted by the King James translators variously as mire (1x), fens (1x), miry place (1x) suggesting a damp, swampy place. In fact, it is also found earlier in the Book of Job, in Job 8:11, “Can the rush grow up without mireבִּצָּה (biṣṣâ)H1207?can the flag grow without water?”
When we look elsewhere in the Bible for references to “mire” we find that it is almost always provided in a negative context, most particularly with Hell.
Among the original Hebrew words that are also translated as “mire” is חֹמֶר (ḥōmer)H2563, which is also translated variously as clay (11x), homer (11x), morter (4x), mire (2x), heap (2x). It is also found in Job 30:19, “He hath cast me into the mire (חֹמֶר (ḥōmer))H2563, and I am become like dust and ashes.“
Another word in the original Hebrew that is translated as “mire” or “mirey” is יָוֵן (yāvēn)H3121 as we find in Psalm 69:2, “I sink inיָוֵן (yāvēn)H3121 deep mire יָוֵן (yāvēn)H3121, where [there is] no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.” and in Psalm 40:2, “He (The LORD, Who heard his cry) brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miryclay, and set my feet upon a rock, [and] established my goings.“, which in both these cases makes a clear association between Hell (an “horrible pit”) and both “mirey” and deep “mire”, from the which salvation is sought from God.
Spiritual Perspective:Once again there is a negative context, in the which the behemoth (devil) can been seen to be spiritually bankrupt in a concealment setting that can also be associated with Hell.
8) Job 40:22, “The shady trees cover him [with] their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.“
The word in the original Hebrew that has been translated into English as “brook” is נַחַל (naḥal)H5158, which has been interpreted by the King James translators variously as river (56x), brook (46x), valley (23x), stream (11x), flood (5x).
Spiritual Perspective: This verse is similar to the previous one, and reinforces that the behemoth, like the devil, is concealed among the shadows, and that he is concealing himself and his activity, which activity also implicitly suggests sexual fornication.The devil and his activities are withheld from the eyes of unsaved and unsuspecting mankind (but not God).
9) In Job 40:23, “Behold, he drinketh up a river, [and] hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.“
The original Hebrew word that has been translated into English as “drinketh” is עָשַׁק (ʿāšaq)H6231, which has been interpreted by the King James translators variously as: oppress (23x), oppressor (4x), defraud (3x), wrong (2x), deceived (1x), deceitfully gotten (1x), oppression (1x), drink up (1x), violence (1x). Note how in every single other context, besides “drink up”, the implication is once again entirely negative. And, as a result we could also interpret this verse as saying that the behemoth obtains by “deceit” and “oppresses”/”does violence” and hence has taken dominion over the “river”, נָהָר (nāhā)H5104 which is generally understood to be a source of life. Note that the first place that this word is found in the Bible is in Genesis 2:10, pertaining to the Garden of Eden where both “the tree of life” and “the tree of knowledge of good and evil” were located: “And a river(נָהָר (nāhā)H5104 went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.“
The original Hebrew word that has been translated into English as “hasteth” is חָפַז (ḥāp̄az)H2648, which has been interpreted by the King James translators variously as haste (3x), to haste (3x), make haste (2x), tremble (1x). Therefore, the behemoth is not alarmed or fearful.
The original Hebrew word that has been translated into English as “trusteth” is בָּטַח (bāṭaḥ)H982, which has been interpreted by the King James translators variously as trust (103x), confidence (4x), secure (4x), confident (2x), bold (1x), careless (1x), hope (1x), hoped (1x), ones (1x), sure (1x), women (1x). The behemoth seems to be confident that he can swallow up the river Jordan as though he believes that he has dominion over it.
But what does the river Jordan represent? The Jordan River is a 156-mile-long river that flows north to south from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. It is mentioned in the Bible over 185 times, and each time is significant in its own way. For example, Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan by John the Baptist (Mark 1:9-11). Naaman the Syrian was cleansed of Leprosy in it (2 Kings 5:10-14).
But we also know that the Jordan river played an important role in serving as an allegorical reference for Hell in Joshua 3:15-17, that apart from God’s intervention, the Jordan River, being at “flood” stage, would have prevented God’s people from entering into the Promised Land (picturing Heaven) after their wilderness sojourn. In the last verse we read, “And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.” Similarly, both Elijah and Elisha were able to cross over the river Jordan without getting wet, as we read in 2 Kings 2:8, “And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped [it] together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.” The waters of Jordan did not touch God’s people in those two cases, just as the fires of Hell cannot touch the elect children of God.
It is no coincidence that we read of the serpent/dragon in Revelation 12:15&16, “And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.”
Spiritual Perspective: So does not this appear to be saying…from a spiritual perspective…that the devil had taken over dominion of the source of life from Adam and Eve by his “deceit” (he lied to Eve) and that he only “oppresses”/”does violence” to all of mankind as a result.The devil, in his pride, is not afraid of Hell and is confident that he can have dominion over Helland hence over all of those who are destined for it.
10) In Job 40:24, “He taketh it with his eyes: [his] nose pierceth through snares.“
The original Hebrew word that has been translated into English as “taketh” is לָקַח (lāqaḥ)H3947, which has been interpreted by the King James translators variously as take (747x), receive (61x), take away (51x), fetch (31x), bring (25x), get (6x), take out (6x), carry away (5x), married (4x), buy (3x), miscellaneous (26x).
The original Hebrew word that has been translated into English as “nose” is אַף (‘ap̄)H639, which has been interpreted by the King James translators variously as anger (172x), wrath (42x), face (22x), nostrils (13x), nose (12x), angry (4x), longsuffering (with H750) (4x), before (2x), countenance (1x), forbearing (1x), forehead (1x), snout (1x), worthy (1x). So we could say that the behemoth might be viewed as acting in “anger/wrath”.
So we might therefore say that the behemoth could be viewed as acting in “anger/wrath” to “curse” or “blaspheme“.
NOTE: Regarding “Blasphemies”, it is worth noting what we find in Revelation 13:1-5, where the John the Revelator saw “a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.” That beast was given power by the red dragon and further described in verses 5&6 as “¶And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months.And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.”
The original Hebrew word that has been translated into English as “snares” is מוֹקֵשׁ (môqēš)H4170, which has been interpreted by the King James translators variously as snare (20x), gin (3x), trap (2x), ensnared (1x), snared (1x). Note in particular these verses, 2 Samuel 22:6 (and Psalm 18:4), “The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares(מוֹקֵשׁ (môqēš))H4170of death prevented (went before)me;” [Please see all of 2 Samuel 22:1–51 to see this wonderful Psalm of David that points us to the Jesus’ Atonement]
Two other verses link this word for “snare” with death:
Proverbs 13:14, “The law of the wise [is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares(מוֹקֵשׁ (môqēš))H4170of death.”
Proverbs 14:27, “The fear of the LORD [is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares (מוֹקֵשׁ (môqēš))H4170of death.”
Spiritual Perspective: The devil captures and takes away, hence controls, what he sees (mankind, starting with Adam and Eve), and in his “anger/wrath”, he “curses/blasphemes” God, as he captures the majority of mankind with the “snares” of death.
Conclusion
Whatever the specific “earthly” beast that is being described as the “behemoth” in the Book of Job, it is not the focus of this study, because it inconsequential to God’s “spiritual” purpose. In reality, the behemoth is just an allegory, given in a parable, to spiritually represent the devil and his character and powerful attributes, who God created and only God can overcome and vanquish.
It is a true mystery that God created the devil, indeed all evil…which is defined by any and all those of mankind who reject and rebel against Him…to ultimately serve God’s purposes.
Just as the devil was allowed by God to tempt Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden in the beginning of the Bible in Genesis that led the Fall of Adam (and hence all mankind) into sin, so we see at the beginning of the Book of Job the devil being allowed to put Job to the test through many harmful means. God is telling us that the behemoth was created by God to serve as a powerful adversary, just like the devil, and that only God can (and will) destroy the devil by the Sword, the Word (The Lord Jesus Christ), on Judgment Day.
In closing, please remember that the historical figure, Job, was a man described in Job 1:1 as being uniquely “perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” Yet, the man Job was still a sinner in need of a Savior who said in Job 19:25, “I know [that] my redeemer liveth“. But we also can see how Job could serve as an allegorical “Type” for the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave up everything to save His people for God’s Glory. And only Jesus (not Job, or any “man” from Adam) could affirmatively respond to every question posed by God to Job. Hence, from that spiritual standpoint, God was speaking to Jesus in a rhetorical fashion, hence the whole book of Job is a historical parable. For some additional spiritual insights regarding the Book of Job, please also see: “Job’s Friends“.
More verses to ponder:
Proverbs 16:4, “The LORD hath made all [things] for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” and the day of evil is “Judgment Day”!
Colossians 1:16&17, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.“
And when God told Moses to speak these words to Pharaoh, God was in fact explaining to us the role of the devil being used for God’s purposes as we read in Exodus 9:16, “And in very deed for this [cause] have I raised thee up, for to shew [in] thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.” This is reiterated also in Romans 9:17, in the context of election and God’s perfect plan of Salvation for His chosen people, “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.“
So it is neither in, nor of, man to be pure and sinless…It is not in man (including even Job) to warrant God’s favor by his own works and ways, as we read in Romans 9:16, “So then [it is] not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” God is entirely Sovereign over all of His creation. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
POSTSCRIPT: The Red Dragon Is Another Allegory describing the Devil, and Satan
In Revelation 12:3-9, we read about another fearsome beast, who God created, who is called the “reddragon” and identified as “the Devil, and Satan“, “¶ And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child (Jesus Christ), who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and [to] his throne.And the woman (the church) fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days. ¶And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.“
NOTE to the Reader: This teacher, just before posting this study on the website (New Year’s Day 2026,) had begun to read the Bible through again in a year and discovered the following: In Genesis 1:21, “And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.” Interestingly, the original Hebrew word that is translated by the King James translators as “whales” is תַּנִּין (tannîn)H8577, which has been translated variously in the Old Testament as dragon (21x), serpent (3x), but as whale only twice. In the “Song of Moses” (Deuteronomy Chapter 32), the same original Hebrew word in Deuteronomy 32:33, is translated as “dragons“. Moses was describing reprobates (the unsaved) and said, “Their wine [is] the poison of dragons (תַּנִּין (tannîn))H8577, and the cruel venom of asps.” and then in Isaiah 27:1, “In that day (Judgment Day) the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent(נָחָשׁ (nāḥāš))H5175, even leviathan that crooked serpent(נָחָשׁ (nāḥāš))H5175; and he shall slay the dragon(תַּנִּין (tannîn))H8577that [is] in the sea.”
Moreover the very same original Hebrew word, נָחָשׁ (nāḥāš)H5175, which is translated as “serpent” in the above verse, is the same word first found in the Bible in Genesis 3:1, “¶Now the serpent (נָחָשׁ (nāḥāš))H5175was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” So then, it would seem that God has not only equated that “serpent” with the devil, but also the “dragon“, the “leviathan” (and even the great “whales“ תַּנִּין (tannîn)H8577 going all the way back in Genesis 1:24)
Posted December 14, 2025 by bereansearching Categories:Bible Studies
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Introduction
The purpose of this post is to simply aggregate a number of verses in the Bible that make clear to us that God’s Wisdom is so far above mankind’s “wisdom” as to be compared to trying to fathom the extent of the universe. Simply stated there is an unfathomable gap between God’s Wisdom and mankind’s “wisdom”. Moreover, God’s Wisdom engulfs the spiritual domain that carnal mankind cannot begin to understand. God’s Wisdom is also counter-intuitive to mankind’s way of thinking as we will see below.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31, “¶For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. ¶Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. ¶For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.“
And then in the very next chapter, in 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, ¶And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. ¶Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ¶ But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. ¶Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.“
1 Corinthians 3:18-20,, “¶Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.“
Isaiah 55:8&9, “For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.“
Colossians 2:8, ҦBeware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom; and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength as we read in 1 Corinthians 1:26-28, “¶For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:”
Job Provides Some Additional Insights
The Book of Job has some interesting points that cannot be argued. God spoke directly to Job beginning in Job 38:1 –Job 41:34, where God makes clear that He is Supreme, Sovereign, Omnipotent, and Omniscient and created this universe for His Glory. Man is just a part of that creation. Yet we know that God Graciously condescended to reveal Himself to mankind, and even share His Kingdom with His chosen, by taking upon Himself a body of flesh and bones, in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, to become the Eternal Atoning Sacrifice for sin to bridge the unfathomable gap between God and Man. Amazing!
Posted December 11, 2025 by bereansearching Categories:Bible Studies
Introduction: What is the Meaning of “Quicken”?
To be “quickened” in the Biblical sense, is to be “born again“, by being made “spirituallyalive“, which is accomplished by God as a gift to a person of His Holy Spirit. All believers are, and must be, quickened (“made alive”) by God’s Holy Spirit. That “quickening” by the Holy Spirit is integral and synonymous with Salvation, which is the result of the Atoning Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ and the the resultant, implanted, faith in Jesus as that person’s Savior, which accompanies that quickening.
John 3:5-8, “¶Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.“
“Quicken” as Found in the Old Testament
All but one of the references in the Old Testament, which include the word that is translated into English as “quicken” by the King James translators, are found exclusively in the Book of Psalms, and nine of those are found in Psalm 119 (KJV). Notably, in Psalm 119, the quickening is closely linked to God’s Word, Judgments, and precept.
As noted above, that “quickening” by the Holy Spirit is the regeneration of the dead soul and is synonymous with Salvation. This is accomplished at the time appointed by God in the presence of God‘s Word and God‘s minister, which is why the gospel is to be preached and testified of throughout the world.
Notice how perfectly this fits with Romans 10:14-16, “¶How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
The word in the Old Testament, which has been translated as “quicken” by the King James translators, is from the original Hebrew word, חָיָה (ḥāyâ)H2421 which is actually found 262 times in the Bible and has been translated variously as live (153x), alive (34x), save (13x), quicken (14x), revive (12x), surely (10x), life (9x), recover (8x), miscellaneous (9x).
Psalm 71:20, “[Thou], which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.“
Psalm 80:18, “So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.”
Psalm 119:25, (DALETH). “My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.“
Psalm 119:37, “Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; [and] quicken thou me in thy way.“
Psalm 119:40, “Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.“
Psalm 119:88, “Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.“
Psalm 119:107, “I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.“
Psalm 119:149, “Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.“
Psalm 119:154, “Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.“
Psalm 119:156, “Great [are] thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.“
Psalm 119:159, “Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.“
Psalm 143:11, “Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.”
Psalm 119:50, “This [is] my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.“
Psalm 119:93, “I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.“
“Quicken” as Found in the New Testament
The key word that is found in the New Testament, which has been translated as “quicken” by the King James translators, is from the original Greek word, ζῳοποιέω (zōopoieō)G2227, which is actually found twelve times in the New Testament and is translated variously as quicken (9x), give life (2x), make alive (1x).
1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:“
Romans 8:11, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall G2227 also quicken (ζῳοποιέω (zōopoieō))G2227your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
[Note to the Reader: the second “all” cannot possibly mean “everyone”, which was indeed the case for the first “all”, as clearly only the believers are “quickened” (or “made alive” or “born again”).]
1 Corinthians 15:42-45, “¶So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] aquickeningG2227spirit.”
John 5:21, “For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickenethG2227 [them]; even so the Son quickenethG2227whom he will.“
John 6:63, “It is the spirit that quickeneth;G2227the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life.“
Romans 4:17, “(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who quickenethG2227the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”
2 Corinthians 3:6, “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.G2227“
Galatians 3:21, “[Is] the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life,G2227verily righteousness should have been by the law.“
1 Timothy 6:13, “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickenethG2227all things, and [before] Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;“
1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickenedG2227 by the Spirit:“
Another related word that is found in the New Testament, which has been translated as “quicken together”(implicitly in Christ) by the King James translators, is from the original Greek word,συζωοποιέω (syzōopoieō)G4806, which is found twice in the New Testament (and implied once) and is translated either as quicken together with (1x) or quicken together (1x).
Ephesians 2:1, “And you [hath he quickened] (IMPLIED based upon verse 5 below), who were dead in trespasses and sins;“
Ephesians 2:5, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us togetherG4806 with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)“
Colossians 2:13, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickenedtogetherG4806with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;“
Deliverance from Bondage and the Condemnation of Carnal, Sinful, Flesh
In closing, let us all remember what we read in Romans 8:1-11, “[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.“
Conclusion
In the end, it all comes down to this: only by the sheer Grace of God alone do believers receive the Holy Spirit indwelling their hearts. This happens because God Himself chooses and calls them, and raises them spiritually from their dead spiritual state, “quickens” them (makes them truly alive), and causes them to be born again by the Spirit. Only then are their spiritual ears and eyes opened to perceive and understand the hidden Truth of God—and at the same time, He grants them the necessary faith, hope, and love, along with a genuine desire to obey Jesus. Apart from this Sovereign work of God’s Grace, it would be impossible.
Because that Truth is of God, and about God…then “spiritual” discernment is required (NOT carnal/ earthly/ human discernment). Spiritual discernment can only come to someone who has been quickened by God’s Holy Spirit because the flesh is dead in sin. In Romans 7:14 we read, “For we know that the law(the whole Word of God, the Bible) is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.“ and later in Romans 7:18, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.” and finally at the end of the chapter in Romans 7:24&25, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.“
POSTSCRIPT:
Most people are familiar with Colossians 1:18, “And he (The Lord Jesus Christ) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence.” Jesus is declared to be the “Firstborn from the dead”. Therefore, please note what we find in 1 Pe 3:18, “¶For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” Jesus was also the first to be “quickened” by God’s Holy Spirit at the Resurrection!
Posted November 17, 2025 by bereansearching Categories:Bible Studies
In Luke 13:6-9, we read the following where Jesus made reference to the “Fig Tree”, “¶He spake also this parable; A certain [man] had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, [well:] and if not, [then] after that thou shalt cut it down.“
If we think about it, from an eternal Godly perspective, the “fig tree” is representative of the nation of Israel, which serves as a “Sign” in at least two ways.
The Fig Tree Represents National Israel
Perhaps the clearest reference to Israel being likened to the fruit of a fruitful “fig tree” is found in Hosea 9:10, “I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: [but] they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto [that] shame; and [their] abominations were according as they loved.”
God also refers to the nation of Israel as His “land” and then compares its coming under attack as a “fig tree” being “barked” (effectively being destroyed by being stripped of its bark), and we can see this when we read the following according to the prophet Joel in Joel 1:6&7, “For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth [are] the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion. He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast [it] away; the branches thereof are made white.” While it is unclear to which nation that the prophet Joel is referring as either having already come upon Israel, or will come upon Israel, to destroy it, we can say that God associates the fig tree with National Israel.
We can also look back over time and say that there are at least three times that Israel was attacked and essentially wiped out, first 1) by Egypt and Edom, then 2) by Assyria, then 3) by Babylon, but each time the nation of Israel survived to some degree with the last time (like the third year) being restored under the order of the Persian kings, which paved the way for Jesus to come nearly 400 years later. Then after a period of roughly 40 years following Jesus’s coming (when the Gospel was being preached in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria), Israel as a nation was completely destroyed by the Romans in ~70AD. Each time previously Israel continued to show signs of life, but there was still no “fruit” (souls were not being saved, because there was no effective repentant faith in Jesus). Finally, Jesus, Himself, came to Israel to personally proclaim the Gospel of Salvation, bringing the ultimate fertilizer of the fulfilled Word, but as a nation they still rejected that Word (Embodied by Jesus), and therefore Israel could never produce “fruit”. So God finally cut it down in 70 AD.
But what about now? Israel is once again a nation among nations in our world. Israel can be compared to a flourishing fig tree having leaves, but which cannot bear any fruit, because as a nation, Israel still rejects Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. Therefore, one must consider that God has re-established the nation of Israel as a “Sign” for our times. Remember what Jesus said to His disciples when they asked him for a sign of the end of time? Jesus replied with the parable that the fig tree would have leaves, but Jesus said nothing about “fruit”. Israel can never be able to bear any fruit because it will only continue to reject Jesus. There is no Biblical basis to expect that there will ever be a great revival in Israel as a nation. To the contrary, a careful reading of the Bible makes clear that National Israel’s special relationship with God ended at the cross, and was underscored with the destruction of the Holy Temple in ~70AD. That is the meaning of the Parable of the Fig Tree. Any and all claims to the contrary are simply false.
When Jesus’ disciples asked Him in Matthew 24:3, “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Jesus answered, among other evidences, in Matthew 24:32-35 (& Mark 13:28–31; Luke 21:29–33 )— “¶Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.“
The Barren Fig Tree Provides Insight
Matthew 21:18-22, “¶Now in the morning as he (Jesus) returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.¶ And when the disciples saw [it], they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! ¶Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.“
Consistent with this, is what we also see in Mark 11:12-14, “¶And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not [yet]. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard [it].” A bit later we read Mark 11:20, “¶And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.“
The fact of the matter is that God had effectively cursed National Israel because it rejected His Son, and as a result it can never bear fruit. How can it?… if, as a nation, Israel rejects the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus made clear in Luke 24:44 that all that the nation of Israel holds dear pointed to Him as The Promised Messiah, “And he said unto them (the disciples), These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me.“
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Conclusion
Joel 1:6&7 makes clear to us that God refers to Israel as His fig tree, which had been attacked and barked(stripped).
Modern National Israel hasleaves (life) but cannot produce fruit(because it rejects Jesus).
Israel, typified by the fig tree, as a nation again is a “sign” heralding the End Times, and is NOT a portent of revival.
National Israel’s special role ended at the cross and was sealed in 70 AD.
Physical descent from Abraham does not guarantee salvation, and neither does “physical” circumcision (by blood) or “physical” baptism (by water)…which only serve as “sign” of the two Covenants. Remember that “Not All Israel Is Israel” means that there is a larger “corporate” body (those who identified with either the Old Testament Nation of Israel, or who identify as “Christians” today) within which is found the smaller “eternal” body of God’s chosen people (the eternal Israel/eternal Church). Corporate fellowship with believers, just like Jewish lineage and practice, is no guarantee of Salvation. Salvation can only come by the “spiritual” circumcision of the heart and the “spiritual” baptism by washing and anointing of The Holy Spirit, as God applies to the elect believer, by His Grace alone, in Jesus Christ Alone (and only Jesus Is the true “Seed of Promise” through Abraham).
Posted November 14, 2025 by bereansearching Categories:Bible Studies
Romans 9:6-8, “… For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham…They which are the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.“
INTRODUCTION
There is significant controversy today regarding the theological interpretation of God’s Covenantal relationship with National Israel (the Old Testament nation) and whether that relationship continues today. Key questions include:
Does God’s original promise to Abraham still apply to the modern nation of Israel, which inhabits the Bible’s ancestral land?
What does this mean for the future?
Three prominent viewpoints address the relationship between the Christian Church and National Israel:
Dispensationalism: The Church is completely distinct from National Israel.
Replacement Theology: The Church has entirely replaced National Israel.
Covenant Theology: The Church is a separate expansion of National Israel.
[These viewpoints are explained in more detail, with rebuttals, in the Appendix.]
This study will show that all three views are flawed to some degree. The Bible provides the means to understand God’s true Covenantal relationship with the “eternal” Israel, which is:
Neither separate from,
Nor a replacement for,
Nor an expansion of the corporate body represented by National Israel. This hasalways been God’s plan, though largely veiled until now for reasons known only to God.
National Israel was the visible, temporal, corporate presence of the people of God in the world throughout the Old Testament until the Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. The same is now true for the New Testament Church. National Israel and the New Testament Church over the past 4000 years have had God’s promises of blessings for obedience and warnings of curses for disobedience. God cares for each of them, for in them both are found the Eternal Israel of God, all because of the Promised Seed fulfilled in the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Eternal Church of the Lord Jesus Christ consists of:
An elect remnant from National Israel (a subset of that larger corporate body),
Plus an elect portion from the entire Gentile world, all saved by grace alone, entirely within keeping with, and in complete fulfillment of, God’s promise to Abraham.
DISCLAIMER: This Bible teacher is neither antisemitic nor anti-National Israel, but is also not a “Christian Zionist”. The modern nation of Israel certainly has every right to exist, and has faced constant attacks from ungodly adversaries since 1948, but, without reconciliation to God in the Lord Jesus Christ, Israel no longer has any privileged standing as a nation (despite Israel’s military successes bordering the supernatural). It is this teacher’s prayer that individuals of the Jewish faith would turn to Jesus before time runs out. This position, as is reflected in all posts found on the Bereansearching Website, aligns with the Apostle Paul’s lament:
Romans 9:1-5 — “¶ I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the promises; Whose [are] the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ [came], who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.”
God’s Promise to Abraham To Be a Father of Many Nations (through Jesus: The Promised “Seed”)
In Genesis 17:4&5 where God said to Abram/Abraham, “As for me, behold, my covenant [is] with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.” Then later in Genesis 22:18, “And in thy seed (זַרְעָ (zeraʿ))H2233shall all the nations of theearth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.“
Jesus Christ is the promised “Seed” (singular) to Abraham. (Please see this related post: “The ‘Seed’ of Abraham Is Singular, or ‘One’, Who Is Jesus“.) In Christ, all believers (Jew and Gentile) are part of the eternal Israel and heirs according to the promise:
Galatians 3:29 — “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
And regarding that promise that God made with Abraham, we read in Romans 4:13-18, “¶For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, [was] not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law [be] heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, [there is] no transgression. ¶Therefore [it is] of faith, that [it might be] by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.“
Note the consistency with what we read in Hosea 1:10, “Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye [are] not my people, [there] it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.” This is describing the “Eternal Israel” made up of both Jews and Gentiles, not by the law but rather by faith in Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul went further in the next chapter of Galatians to equate “National Israel” with the children of the bondwoman (Ishmael by Hagar) being bound to the Law, as opposed to the “Eternal Israel of God” being children of the free woman (Isaac by Sarah) being set free by Jesus as we read in Galatians 4:21-31, “¶Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the oneby a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he [who was] of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but heof the freewoman [was] by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, [thou] barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.“
The “Jerusalem which is above“ and free, as opposed to being in bondage to the law, is the “New Jerusalem” spoken of in both Revelation 3:12 and Revelation 21:2 “coming down from God out of heaven” which has NOTHING AT ALL to do with the earthly, carnal, Jerusalem in National Israel that we know today!
“¶Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him [that was born] after the Spirit, even so [it is] now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.“
Romans 4:13 — “¶For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law [be] heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, [there is] no transgression.”
The Law given to Moses for National Israel were entirely fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ (the Jewish Messiah), but God’s eternal promises to Abraham apply only to the elect—the spiritual “eternal Israel” (The elect remnant chosen Jew and Gentile in Christ)—NOT to physical National Israel (past or present). Election is by grace, not genealogy, nor national heritage, nor by the works of the law.
Romans 9:6-8 — “¶Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, [are they] all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.”
It is particularly important to remember back when Moses was lecturing Israel for its unbelief…even though the Israelites had seen many, many, miracles in Egypt and in the wilderness with their “physical eyes” in Deuteronomy 29:4…”Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.” Those Israelites remained spiritually deaf and blind in unbelief.
This is reiterated in Romans 11:5-10, “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then [is it] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if [it be] of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.¶ What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (According as it is written [Deuteronomy 29:4, see also and Isaiah 6:10], God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear; ) unto this day.¶And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.” And Psalm 69:23 tells us that for those who opposed Jesus and His Gospel, “Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.”
And let us never forget what Jesus said in both Matthew 3:9, “And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” and Luke 3:8, “Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.“
Galatians 3:7-9, “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
The “Eternal Israel” are indeed the true children of God (NOT “National Israel”), and are those who are spoken of as being of Abraham as we read in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye [be] Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.“
Genesis 17:1-8 — God promises Abraham an everlasting covenant to him and his “seed” after him….”I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.“
The Holy Spirit provides us commentary in:
Acts 3:25&26, “Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed (σπέρματί, singular) shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” (Note that the Gospel go first to the Jews as we read in Acts 1:8 where Jesus told His disciples, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.“)
Galatians 3:16 — “Now to Abraham and his seed(σπέρματι, singular) were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds(σπέρμασιν, plural), as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed(σπέρματι, singular), which is Christ.” Please see this study on the basis for correct understanding on how the “‘Seed’ is Singular” and points us to the Lord Jesus Christ!
What “Israel” Is the Bible Really Referencing?
The Hebrew word יִשְׂרָאֵל (yiśrā’ēl) H3478 means “Prince of God” (2,489x in KJV). It has five distinct uses:
The ten northern tribes after the split from Judah/Benjamin.
The Lord Jesus Christ (Typologically).
The body of believers in Christ (Jew and Gentile)—the “eternal/spiritual” Israel.
Galatians 3:7, 26-29 declares, “…they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.… ¶For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.And if ye [be] Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
There is no salvific efficacy in being Jewish. Eternal Israel = those in Christ, saved by grace alone, not lineage.
Promises Made, Promises Kept
God fulfilled all “earthly” land promises to National Israel in the days of Solomon:
Joshua 21:43-45 — “There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.”
Nehemiah 9:7&8 — “Thou [art] the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram…to give [it, I say], to his seed, andhast performed thy words; for thou [art] righteous:”
1 Kings 8:56 — “There hath not failed one word of all his good promise.”
Hebrews 6:13-20 — God confirmed the promise with an oath, giving strong consolation to the heirs of promise, with Jesus as the forerunner and High Priest forever.
God always keeps His promises!
“Eternal” Israel Was Always in View, NOT “National” Israel
Paul uses the olive tree allegory (Romans 11:13–27):
Natural branches (National Israel) broken off due to unbelief.
Wild branches (Gentiles) grafted in by faith.
Admonition: Do not boast—God can cut off wild branches too.
Some natural branches can be re-grafted if they believe.
Romans 11:25-26— “Blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:”
“All Israel shall be saved” = All of the “eternal” Israel (all the elect remnant of Jews from “National Israel” + all elect from the Gentiles), NOT all of “National” Israel, because as a nation, Israel will remain in its blindness as we see today.
Olive oil, which comes from the olive tree, in the Bible symbolizes The Holy Spirit (for anointing and for providing the light). (See: “Jesus’ Parable of the Ten Virgins”)
Note to the Reader: Please note the similarity in the symbology regarding the root and branch of the olive tree above with the vine described by Jesus in John 15:1-8, “¶I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. ¶I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and Iin him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.“
2 Peter 1:5-8 also describes the fruitfulness that comes by faith in Jesus, “¶And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.“
Romans 10:21 → 11:1-5 — God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. A remnant is saved by grace, not by works (like Elijah’s 7,000; 1 Kings 19:18)
“Dispensationalists” expect a future, earthly, third temple, animal sacrifices, and aliteral millennial reign of Jesus in earthly Jerusalem. This is ENTIRELY unbiblical and denies Christ’s finished work!
The Holy of Holies was exposed Matthew 27:51, “¶And, behold, tthe veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;“.
The temple was destroyed in 70 AD.
The true Temple is spiritual: believers in the New Jerusalem(Heavenly, NOT earthly)!
Hebrews 11:9, “By faith he (Abraham) sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.“
Isaiah 62:11&12, “Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward [is] with him, and his work before him. And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.“
When Jesus’ disciples asked Him in Matthew 24:3, “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Jesus answered, among other evidences, in Matthew 24:32-35 (& Mark 13:28–31; Luke 21:29–33 ) — “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh“
Joel 1:6&7: Israel = God’s fig tree, attacked and barked (stripped).
Modern Israel = leaves but no fruit (because it rejects Jesus).
Israel, typified by the fig tree, as a nation again is a “sign” heralding the End Times, NOT a portent of revival.
National Israel’s special role ended at the cross and was sealed in 70 AD.
Other Points to Ponder: The Believers In Jesus Christ Are the Only “True Jews”!
Luke 20:13-16 (Parable of the Vineyard): National Israel killed the Son (Jesus); hence the kingdom was given to others.
Matthew 23:37-39 (And in Luke 13:34&35): Jesus lamented over Jerusalem: “Your house is left unto you desolate.”Note: Jesus’ reference to “as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings” is expound in this post: “Boaz’s Skirt“.
Romans 2:28&29, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [is that] circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.“
Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.“
Colossians 3:11, “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all.”
Galatians 6:15&16, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. ¶And as many as walk according to this rule, peace [be] on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.“
CONCLUSION: Saved Redeemed Sinners Are the True Eternal Israel of God
Physical descent from Abraham does not guarantee salvation, and neither does “physical” circumcision (by blood) or “physical” baptism (by water)…which only serve as “sign” of the two Covenants. Remember that “not all Israel is Israel” means that there is a larger “corporate” body (those who identified with either the Old Testament Nation of Israel or who identify as “Christians” today) within which is found the smaller “eternal” body of God’s chosen people (the eternal Israel/eternal Church). Corporate fellowship with believers, just like Jewish lineage and practice, is no guarantee of Salvation. Only the “spiritual” circumcision of the heart and the “spiritual” baptism by washing of The Holy Spirit as applied to the elect believer by God, by His Grace alone, in Jesus Christ Alone (and only Jesus Is the true “Seed of Promise”).
We read in Acts 10:34, “Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” and the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 2:11, “For there is no respect of persons with God.“
Ishmael vs. Isaac (Both were circumcised)
Esau vs. Jacob (Both were circumcised)…
— But only Isaac and Jacob were chosen—by election, not by either works or lineage.
Romans 9:6-8 — “…For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, [are they] all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.”
Romans 9:11-13, “(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)… As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.“
We see this very clearly also in Romans 2:28&29, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [is that] circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.“
Acts 10:34-35, “…God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
APPENDIX: Three Viewpoints of National Israel Vis-à-Vis the Christian Church
1. Dispensationalism
Two peoples: Israel and the Church.
Promises to Israel fulfilled in a literal 1,000-year kingdom after a pre-tribulation rapture and seven year tribulation period.
Influenced by Scofield Bible and John Darby.
Rejects allegorical interpretation; insists on literal-grammatical-historical hermeneutic.
Views Scripture through Covenant of Works of the Old Testament followed by establishment of the New Testament Covenant of Grace.
All biblical covenants are simply outworkings of these plans.
Rebuttal: Implies that God needed a Plan B for failure of Plan A. However, Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). Salvation was ALWAYS and ONLY by grace!
3. Replacement Theology (Supersessionism)
The Church replaces Israel entirely.
No spiritual future for National Israel.
Rebuttal: Partially correct, but misses that Eternal Israel was always God’s focus—NEVER a Plan B.
Key Takeaway:
Eternal Israel = elect remnant of Jews + elect Gentiles in Christ = Christ’s Church and His Eternal Bride. National Israel = the “Means“, the key element of God’s Magnificent Salvation Plan, but NOTthe fulfillment of those Means, and the National Israel of today serves as a prophetic sign (being “the fig tree in leaf, but without fruit“) that heralds the fact that Jesus is coming back again soon!
Posted November 12, 2025 by bereansearching Categories:Bible Studies
Portrait of John Newton by William Samuel Wright
Introduction
This post is simply for pointing out a noteworthy juxtaposition created by a remarkable Christian, John Newton (1725-1807), in which two of his hymns taken together have both an unmistakable salience for the believer and a point of instruction for all mankind.
It is sufficient to simply post the texts of both hymns and let the reader consider the applications:
“Day of Judgment! Day of Wonders!” by John Newton (1774)
Posted November 2, 2025 by bereansearching Categories:Bible Studies
Introduction
What does it mean to “speak with new tongues”? In Mark 16:17, we read where the Lord Jesus Christ said, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Does it mean that the believers are to babble in church like those in the charismatic churches of today who are said to speak “in tongues”? Or does it mean something else?
If we are to take these “signs” literally, then only those capable of picking up a cobra or rattlesnake and not dying from the venom, or who can drink poison and survive would qualify as believers. But that is not what Jesus meant, otherwise essentially no one could be counted as a believer if that were the case. The same is true with believers speaking “in new tongues”. There has to be a spiritual meaning involved.
Picking Up Serpents and Drinking PoisonWithout Harm?
Before moving on to addressing the meaning of speaking “with new tongues”, let us look at the taking up of serpents and drinking any deadly thing without being harmed. Jesus made clear that these would be the signs that follow believers.
The reality is that all of these openly visible “physical” manifestations in the early New Testament church era were a “sign” of what actually takes place “spiritually” in the life of every believer who has been quickened by God’s Holy Spirit, just as Jesus said would be the case. With regard to taking up serpents without harm, we should remember what we read in Act 28:3-6, where the Apostle Paul, after having just survived a shipwreck on The Island of Melita, was bitten by a poisonous serpent, but no harm came to him. That was an unmistakeable “physical” sign, or manifestation, of what takes place “spiritually” in the life of every believer. “And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid [them] on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.“
Although Paul’s picking up a venomous serpent, and even being bitten by it (but remaining unharmed), was clearly “literal”, it also served as an historical parable (and therefore a “sign”), which carried a “spiritual” implication. God used this exemplary “sign” to point to the fact that believers will be able to “spiritually” deal with the devil’s (the “serpent’s”) lies, and thus will not be enticed or fooled by purveyors of false gospels that would otherwise “spiritually” kill the hearers.
We can know this because God refers to the devil’s servants as we read in Deuteronomy 32:33, “Their wine [is] the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.“, which is expounded further in the New Testament by the Apostle Paul in Romans 3:13, “Their throat [is] an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps [is] under their lips:” This is reiterated in Psalm 140:1-3, “¶[[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.]] Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; Which imagine mischiefs in [their] heart; continually are they gathered together [for] war. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison [is] under their lips. Selah.” and in Psalm 58:4&5, regarding the wicked and violent men, “Their poison [is] like the poison of a serpent: [they are] like the deaf adder [that] stoppeth her ear; Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.“
Similarly, Jesus’ description of the “sign” of true believers as being unable to be harmed by drinking anything poisonous does not refer to “literal” earthly poisons, but rather to “spiritual” poison. Jesus was highlighting the fact that no believer can be harmed through the hearing of a false gospel (which is spiritual poison that comes from the devil). God’s elect, if they do come in contact with false gospels, will not be harmed nor destroyed by them. This correlates with teaching of Revelation 17:2, wherein God describes the “poison” of the wine of fornication of the great harlot being consumed by all the reprobate world, “With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” That wine is indeed poisonous, as it will most certainly destroy mens’ souls.
Speaking with New Tongues?
But what about speaking with new tongues? The first recorded occurrence of the believers speaking in “new tongues”, after being newly indwelt by God’s Holy Spirit, is found in Acts Chapter 2. On Pentecost Day in 33AD, the Holy Spirit gave the apostles had the ability to speak to the assembled crowds of Jews in Jerusalem in languages with which the apostles were otherwise unfamiliar.
Acts 2:4-12, “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. ¶And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another,Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, andAsia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya aboutCyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?“
It is clear, then, that the tongues in Acts 2 were “literal” and were spoken in understandable human languages, which served as a “literal” physically discerned “sign” that Jesus said would be a hallmark of all believers. The gift of speaking in new tongues, as exemplified in Acts 2, is generally accepted to mean that it is the miraculous ability to speak a language that believers, like the apostles, did not previously know in order to minister to a person who spoke that particular language. Some believe that the “speaking in tongues” later mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:1—11 are the same as the speaking in tongues that unfolded in Acts 2.
However, others (particularly those who identify as “charismatics”) believe that the “tongues” in 1 Corinthians 12:1—11 are related, but different, to the “new tongues” of Acts 2. They interpret the gift of tongues in 1 Corinthians 12:1—11 as being a private prayer language between a believer and God and/or the miraculous ability to speak an unknown language in order to minister to other believers (not unbelievers, and not people who can understand the language as was the case in Acts 2).
So then, what is the reality concerning speaking in new tongues?
“tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:“
We need to search further in the Bible for potential insights. In 1 Corinthians 14:21&22, we read, “¶In the law it is written, With [men of] other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.¶Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying [serveth] not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.” The Apostle Paul was referring back to the prophesy of Isaiah found in Isaiah 28:11-13, “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.To whom he said, This [is] the rest [wherewith] ye may cause the weary to rest; and this [is] the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.“
Moreover, the other “signs” that Jesus said would follow the believers…the casting out of devils and healing the sick…are also not to be taken “literally”, but more importantly “spiritually”, in that those who under the domination of the devil, and who are sin sick, can only be saved through the hearing of faithful and prayerful preaching of Jesus’ Gospel of Salvation. For more on healings serving as “signs”, please see: “The Great Physician: Another Name for the Lord Jesus Christ“.
Conclusion
Speaking in “New Tongues”, is indeed as a “sign” that follows all believers who, upon conversion and the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit, speak in a new tongue by faithfully proclaiming the New Testament Gospel that they did not speak before. It is noteworthy that, just as was prophesied by Isaiah, the majority of national Israel could neither hear, nor understand, nor believe.
And just as noteworthy is the fact that this has also been true for the majority of the Gentile world throughout the entire New Testament era. The Gospel is still like a foreign language, which most people can neither hear nor understand, apart from God’s Gracious and Divine intervention. Previous to conversion, the believers themselves knew nothing about, nor even cared to know, the Gospel of Salvation that was wrought through the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ unless God had intervened to save them.
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