Commentary on Job 40:16

I had taken a brief break from translating the fragmentary commentary on Job of Step‘anos Siwnets‛i, but have now returned. The next fragment is on the serpent of chapter 40. The Armenian word that I translate as 'whale' is a transliteration of the Greek κῆτος, 'sea monster, large fish'.

Behold his power is in his loins and his strength in the navel of his belly. (40:16)

Although it is true that the whale (կետոս [= κῆτος]) is the strongest of the terrestrial and aquatic animals, scripture calls this animal a serpent because it is speaking allegorically about the rebellious serpent. 

William Blake, Book of Job