This verse and verse 20 seem to interrupt the description of Behemoth’s body and his surroundings in verses 15-24. They do not connect with the preceding verses or with those that follow, so the context is not a clear guide to their meaning. The first line uses the same sort of language about Behemoth as is used of wisdom in Proverbs 8.22.

He is the first of the works of God: He is the first may mean first in time or first in importance or greatness. Good News Translation understands the word in the second of these senses, as does New English Bible, “He is the chief of God’s works.” Since the LORD is speaking, Good News Translation adjusts the expression meaning “God’s creatures” (literally “God’s ways”) to “my creatures,” as in verse 9. It is also possible that the writer may be speaking about the order in time at which God created various creatures. In Genesis 1.24 the Hebrew word behemah, the singular of behemoth, occurs as the first in the list of creatures made by God just before he made human beings. It is most likely that the reference here is to the animal being “the greatest.”

Let him who made him bring near his sword! renders the Hebrew literally but with little clarity of meaning. This line has been interpreted in numerous ways, and many changes have been proposed to clarify the sense. Sword has often been interpreted to refer to the teeth or tusks of the hippopotamus, but a sword does not serve for cutting grass. Dhorme and others adjust the words translated as bring near his sword to get “a tyrant to his companions.” The “companions” are then the other animals mentioned in verse 20. New English Bible follows Dhorme and translates “Made to be a tyrant over his peers,” that is, “over his equals.” Good News Translation understands sword as a means of “defeat” and says “Only his creator can defeat him,” a translation which the confusing Hebrew text supports in part. However, one of Hebrew Old Testament Text Project‘s recommendations agrees essentially with Good News Translation: “Only the one who made him (his creator) is able to kill him.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project‘s other suggestion may be rendered “His creator holds him back with his sword,” that is, so that the animal will not attack. Although Dhorme’s proposal seems to fit the line to the following verse, the change in text is extensive, and so Good News Translation or Hebrew Old Testament Text Project is recommended.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, Wiliam. A Handbook on Job. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .