Cover image: Job, by Gary L. Kapp via the Come, Follow Me manual.
As Elder McConkie once said in General Conference, “God stands revealed or he remains forever unknown, and the things of God are and can be known only by and through the Spirit of God.” And one of the greatest tools I have discovered for my life to unlock delicate and powerful revelation is that of the Holy Scriptures.
To give you some context, the insights I will share came to me as I undertook a deeper study into the Old Testament Book of Job. Job is one of three books – along with Psalms and Proverbs – that the Jews consider the “Wisdom” portion of the Old Testament: books that provide special, higher knowledge. Some actually consider it the oldest book in the Old Testament, predating even Genesis. I consider Job to be what is called a “temple text”, meaning a block of scripture or other ancient text which is either given in a temple context or which is meant to expound on, or increase, understanding of temple related themes and doctrines.
You see, if you look at the Book of Job on a macro level, the general plot and structure is fascinating: It begins with Job in a somewhat idyllic situation, where everything is somewhat perfect. And while Job seems to be perfectly obedient, he is far from perfect. He is not described in any way as having wisdom, knowledge, or an understanding of his Maker. He is described as almost being in a paradisiacal situation, with the adversary even complaining that he’s encircled by a garden-like “hedge” that seems to protect him from the real world. His location is even described as “Eastward”, just as Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden.
But then, there is a fall. Job loses everything, becomes naked, and is cast out of his former place. The book then focuses on his desire to meet with the Lord face-to-face to gain greater light and knowledge. There are three friends. There are four cycles where Job’s worthiness in challenged, which he defends, and which are followed by token revelations about God and His Son’s atonement.
Some of the doctrinal challenges put to Job are intermingled with other scriptures, like Proverbs, but taken out of context, in my opinion. Unrighteous influences tell Job his mouth should be filled with laughter, he likely hasn’t made the appropriate sacrifices, that he was probably disobedient to God, that he was unchaste, and that he must not have used his possessions and talents for God’s purposes. Job successfully defends himself from these concerns, and affirms his righteousness. A devious persona named Elihu enters the narrative, but he eventually seems to be dismissed. God finally arrives and gives Job a glorious understanding of the creation, and appears to be introducing him to the ways of God, even asking him at one point, “Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven?”
Then, finally, Job gets his face-to-face. The conversation progresses for a bit. Job actually repeats to the Lord words He spoke to him earlier. But then there is a problem. The conversation can’t be completed. Job admits he can “proceed no further”. There is something he still needs to know to move forward, and he recognizes he doesn’t know it, nor was it revealed to him in his previous revelations.
The Lord asks Job if he does not have an arm like God, if he does not have a voice like God, suggesting perhaps that he will need to use his arm and voice to proceed. And then, after telling him to be sure he is properly and beautifully clothed, God tells Job “Then shall I confess unto thee that thine own right hand shall save thee.”
And now we come to the section I would like to look at with you. It is the detailed description in chapter 40 that God gives of two incredible beings, known as Behemoth and Leviathan. Let’s look at each verse carefully.
“Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.” (vs 15)
The word “Behemoth” is a transliteration: a direct one-to-one phonetic reading. It is untranslated Hebrew. The suffix “-ot” or “-oth” can make a word plural, but when used like it is in verse 15, almost always is meant to magnify the noun. “Beh-hem” is a word that means “beast”, but in the sense of a domesticated service animal, or beast of burden, not a ferocious wild animal. Therefore, one translation for the word “behemoth” from Hebrew is “a great beast of burden” or, “a great beast of service”. Behemoth can carry a greater load than any other.
“I made with thee” seems to suggest a common creation story between us and Behemoth. Both are sons of God. Like an ox who is sustained off the grass of the earth, Behemoth appears to have a mortal side to him, dependent on the earth’s yield.
“Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.” (vs 16)
Here are two ideas. The first is that Behemoth’s strength comes from his ability to sire, have children, bear fruit, or in other words, to become a father. This brings two Book of Mormon scriptures to my mind. The first is Mormon 9:12 “Behold, he created Adam, and by Adam came the fall of man. And because of the fall of man came Jesus Christ, even the Father and the Son; and because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man”.[i] The Second comes from Mosiah: “And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ.”[ii] Biblical scripture as well teach that as we are born again in Christ, he becomes the father of our new spiritual selves.
The second half of verse 16 has always been of interest to me. “Force” can also be translated as “vitality” or “health”, and so to me it seems to be an abbreviated version of the idea expressed in the Word of Wisdom, where it says near the end of the revelation that “all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings . . . shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones. . .”[iii] Now, when do we receive health or vitality in our navel? When we are in the womb, of course! In the womb, we are utterly helpless to provide anything for ourselves, and must rely completely on our loving nurturer. It is a simple but powerful metaphor. But the additional phrase of “marrow to their bones” that we get from D&C is insightful too. Marrow is where our blood is made, which allows us to exercise a measure of ownership regarding our own nourishment and development. What I think I see here are implications that Behemoth offers us grace in times of weakness, but He also strengthens, builds up, and fortifies us. He is the catalyst for spiritual increase.
“He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.” (vs 17)
A much better Hebrew translation for “moveth”, is “inclineth” or “raising up”. The word “tail” can also mean “on the back”. In other words, Behemoth would be raised up with his back on a cedar. Sometimes it’s difficult to understand scripture when the translation isn’t quite right.
“Sinew” is a translation of a Hebrew word representing the tendons, joints, and other ligament-type tissues found in the body. Regarding the word “stones”, most scholars agree that “loins” is far better, but I think King James’s translators used “stones” out of a desire to be modest. “Wrapped together” is taken from the Hebrew “ishgru” which implies intertwined in order to provide strength, like a rope that is actually just many small fibers made stronger by working as one. Behemoth has power to unify and bind us to our posterity: to make us strong as one, with particular emphasis on doing this in a familial setting.
“His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.” (vs 18)
Now, without some better Hebrew, this verse is nearly impossible to decipher. The first usage here of “bones” is correct. The Hebrew is “otzm”. But there is also a secondary meaning of “hollow tubes”. Why are bones sometimes hollow? Because of the marrow, of course. In fact I wonder if this verse is somehow finishing the thought that we got from Section 89. The second usage of the word “bones” is a different word entirely that actually means “ribs” (the Hebrew is “grm”).
The second usage suggests that Behemoth’s bones are unbreakable and perhaps would never be broken. Pierced maybe, but not broken. John 19:36 says: “For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.” This foreshadowing was taught to ancient Israel in the required sacrifices at the temple where only sheep who had never had a bone broken were considered worthy.[iv] Thus Christ did not have his legs broken in the end as He hung on the cross because the centurions became aware that he was already dead.
“He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.” (vs 19)
Though he is the chief of all of God’s creations, God the Father can still approach him with a sword – a sign of authority, obedience, and order. Additionally, various translators disagree with the KJV in rendering the Hebrew “rashith” as “chief”. It should really be “first”. Christ, though the first of God’s creations, is still subservient to him. He is also the Firstborn. There is a voluntary chain of command.
“Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.” (vs 20)
Mountains are often used to represent temples. Temples in the time of Job were the place where sacrifices to Jehovah (food offerings) and covenants were made. The “mountains” of Behemoth seem to contain “all the beasts”. In other words, all of creation seems to be available in these mountains. This could only be symbolic, as actual mountains only contain a fraction of the species found on the earth. The beasts in this verse also seem to have no animosity towards one another. They “play” together. “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain”[v] is a verse that comes to mind. Rolly-Pollies sometimes find their way into the temple foyer. Some put them in the trash, but I like to just toss them out the door into the nearby flowerbeds.
“He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.” (vs 21)
Almost every other translation since the KJV has rendered “shade tree” as “lotus tree”. The lotus tree has symbolism in Egyptian, Hindu, Buddhist, Chinese, and Japanese culture. It has a symbolism in Hebrew as well. The seeds of the lotus, even before they germinate, contain perfectly formed leaves, stems, branches, etc. in microscopic form — the miniature shape of the plants they will become. The lotus tree simply becomes a much larger, fully-formed version of its younger self.
Verse 22 is impossible to understand as it now reads. “Willow” should be “oleander”, a very poisonous plant that has caused many a tragedy throughout time due to it’s pleasing fragrance and outward beauty. Apparently Behemoth would be surrounded by such hypocritical vipers.
“Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.” (vs 23)
My apologies to the KJV translators, but again, the translation here is just terrible. After hundreds of years of further scholarly review, most agree to something along these lines: “Though the waters rage, he is not afraid. He is fearless and trusting, even being submerged in the Jordan past his mouth.” I take from this two simple ideas: Behemoth will have power over the waters, and he will be submerged in the Jordan. This Book of Mormon scripture comes to mind: “But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.”[vi] This verse comes as an explanation as to why Christ was baptized (in the Jordan, of course) even though he needed no repentance. Christ shows us the way to make and keep covenants, beginning with the gateway known as baptism, becoming our exemplar in all things.
“He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.” (vs 24)
A better reading is, “Can he be taken while he keeps watch? Can he be caught by the nose in a snare?” In scripture, mankind is often symbolically portrayed as being caught in the snares of the devil. But Christ resisted all these temptations. He was never caught in the adversary’s snares.
The Evidence for Leviathan
As you look at Chapter 41, I think then it becomes obvious who the next creature is. Regarding Leviathan, we learn that:
He must be drawn out (vs 1)
He will make supplications and speak soft words to us (vs 3)
We can actually make a covenant with him to have him serve us forever (vs 4)
In time, he shall be repaid for his work. (vs 11)
He cannot be bridled or controlled (at least by us). (vs 13)
He is made of a matter so fine or pure (spirit?) that even air cannot pass between him. (vs 15-17)
Various degrees and types of light emanate from him. (vs 18-21)
His neck is strong (to bear the head?) and sorrows will be turned to joy. (vs 22)
He inspires repentance. (vs 25)
Weapons are useless against him. (vs-25-30)
He boils (purifies) the deep and provides a veritable sea of ointment. In other words, he both cleanses and heals. (vs 31)
He makes a shining path. Even the deepest way appears to be “hoary” (white). (vs 32)
He is a singular creation, and there is no power, force, or being whom he fears (vs 33)
He beholds (bears witness of?) both the good and evil among men (vs 34)
Conclusion
So, what have we seen? It is my conclusion that in response to Job’s admission that he does not know the right words to say (vs 4-5) and in fulfillment of his desire to know God and converse with Him about the powers of creation and redemption, that Job was taught symbolically about the simple but profound doctrines of God’s greatest gifts to mankind: a Savior, and a Comforter.
The Lord Jesus Christ is Behemoth. The Holy Ghost is Leviathan.
Christ is the one who carries our burdens, even allowing us to become yoked together with Him, even as an ox.[vii] In fact, every ox or beast sacrificed on ancient temple alters was meant to prefigure Him. No one has carried a load so great on behalf of so many.
Through gospel covenants, we can take on strength and figuratively become his offspring. Christ is the first creation, and has power through the atonement to become the Father of all the rest of us as we are “born again” to him.
The Atonement offered by Christ nourishes, saves, and uplifts us, when like an unborn baby we can of ourselves do nothing.[viii]
He was never broken, and never taken by any of the snares of sin. Nevertheless, He was laid on a cross and lifted up. They pierced his feet, his hands, and his wrists. They thrust a spear between his ribs.
A righteous branch was indeed raised up out of the tree of David, but during His mortal life, few recognized Him as the Almighty Son of God. He was compassed about by wicked men. The foxes had dens, and the birds had nests, but the Son of Man did not have a place to lay his head. Today, however, He has a house. It is called the House of the Lord. We can learn about all of creation there.
He shows the way through troubled waters, was baptized, and set the example for all to follow.
Likewise, the Holy Ghost is a singular creation, different from any other that God has made. In time he will receive his reward, but until then, and because of his incorporeal nature, he is well suited to reveal light and truth to the rest of us, creating a shining path. Nothing can be hid from him, and he witnesses the actions of all, good or bad. Through the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, we can make a covenant to have him guide us, although always subject to the timing and wisdom of God. As we were reminded recently in conference, we don’t earn blessings, we qualify for them. Like a great fish in the ocean, he will almost always be unseen, but his presence can be drawn out to render guidance for our lives.
The Church created a video in conjunction with the opening of the Rome Temple with Elders Rasband and Bednar giving a detailed tour of the temple and explaining the various rooms. It’s incredible. It ends with Elder Rasband saying that he and Elder Bednar are true servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, and Elder Bednar states: “All that we have discussed today, all that we have attempted to show you . . . is focused on Christ. And because of Him and His atoning sacrifice, the work that is performed in the Holy Temples endures now and throughout all of eternity.”
Come to the Temple.
[i] Mormon 9:12 (italics added)
[ii] Mosiah 5:7 (italics added)
[iii] D&C 89:18
[iv] Exodus 12:46
[v] Isaiah 11:9
[vi] 2 Nephi 31:7
[vii] Matthew 11:28-30
[viii] See Alma 26:12, Moses 1:10, and Philippians 4:13
