What does Job 41:21 mean?
"His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth." - Job 41:21

Job 41:21 (KJV) states: “His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.”
This verse is from the book of Job in the Old Testament, and it is a part of the Lord’s response to Job’s questioning of God’s justice and wisdom in allowing him to suffer. The verse is part of a larger passage in which God describes the Leviathan, a sea monster of great power and ferocity. Throughout the passage, the Leviathan is depicted as a creature of immense strength, feared by all who encounter it. It is through this description that God demonstrates His supreme power and authority in all creation.
The imagery in this verse is vivid and striking. The image of the Leviathan breathing on coals and producing a flame from its mouth is powerful and awe-inspiring. It conveys the idea of the creature’s ability to bring destruction and devastation with a mere breath. The imagery is meant to emphasize the Leviathan’s fearsome nature and the impossibility of anyone coming against it.
In a broader sense, this verse highlights the theme of God’s sovereignty and control over the natural world. The image of the Leviathan breathing fire represents the Lord’s ability to bring judgment and destruction upon those who oppose Him. It serves as a reminder of God’s ultimate power and authority, and His ability to bring about His purposes through the forces of nature.
The context of this verse is important to consider in understanding its significance. Job has been questioning God’s justice and wisdom, asking why he has been allowed to suffer despite being a righteous man. In response, God challenges Job’s limited understanding by describing the Leviathan and other powerful creatures, emphasizing His authority over all creation. The message is clear: God is beyond human comprehension, and His ways are far above our own. This verse serves as a reminder of God’s ultimate power and authority, and His ability to bring about His purposes through the forces of nature.
Symbolically, the breath of the Leviathan can be seen as a representation of divine judgment. In various parts of the Bible, the breath of God is associated with His power to bring about both destruction and renewal. In this verse, the breath of the Leviathan kindling coals and producing a flame can be interpreted as a symbol of God’s ability to bring about judgment and punishment. It is a reminder of the consequences of opposing God and His will.
In conclusion, Job 41:21 (KJV) is a powerful and evocative verse that highlights the theme of God’s sovereignty and control over the natural world. The imagery of the Leviathan breathing fire serves as a symbol of God’s power to bring judgment and destruction, and it serves as a reminder of His ultimate authority. The context of this verse within the book of Job underscores the message of God’s unfathomable wisdom and the limitations of human understanding. Overall, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of the greatness and majesty of God, and His ability to bring about His purposes through the forces of nature.
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Job 41:21 Artwork
Job 41:21 - "His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth."
"His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth." - Job 41:21
Job 41:22 - "In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him."
Job 41:17 - "They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered."
Job 41:29 - "Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear."
Job 41:27 - "He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood."
Job 41:33 - "Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear."
Job 41:8 - "Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more."
Job 41:23 - "The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved."
Job 41:16 - "One is so near to another, that no air can come between them."
Job 41:24 - "His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone."
Job 41:15 - "His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal."
Job 41:28 - "The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble."
Job 41:26 - "The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon."
Job 41:4 - "Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?"
Job 21:1 - "But Job answered and said,"
Job 41:18 - "By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning."
Job 41:19 - "Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out."
Job 41:6 - "Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?"
Job 41:9 - "Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?"
Job 41:5 - "Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?"
Job 41:25 - "When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves."
Job 41:32 - "He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary."
Job 41:12 - "I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion."
Job 41:14 - "Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about."
Job 41:34 - "He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride."
Job 41:2 - "Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?"
Job 41:7 - "Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?"
Job 41:30 - "Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire."
Job 41:31 - "He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment."