What Does Job 41:26 Mean in the King James?

The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.

Job 41:26 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The hidden verb is “stand”: the weapons cannot establish themselves against Leviathan.

THE MEANING

The sword, spear, dart, and coat of mail do not prevail against the creature before you. The verse names a limit to force: more weapons do not make mastery certain.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The belief that greater force guarantees control breaks here; the weapons cannot make themselves stand.

THE ROOT

תָּקוּם

tāqûm

GROWS FROM

קום

q-w-m

To rise, stand, or be established.

The word rendered “hold” carries the sense of standing. The verse says more than that a weapon fails to pierce: it cannot establish itself against Leviathan.

ALSO GROWS

qûm: Rise; stand.

קוּם

This is the root in the verse: the weapon cannot rise into a position of power against the creature.

heqîm: Raise; establish.

הֵקִים

The same root can describe something being established, sharpening the contrast between force that fails to hold ground and power that stands.

THE PATTERN

Force does not become sovereign just because it is armed; power has a limit set by what it cannot master.

There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

Psalm 33:16 · KJVEven kings and champions cannot turn numbers or strength into guaranteed deliverance.

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 4:6 · KJVThe verse names a realm where outcomes do not arise from human force, like the weapons that cannot prevail here.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 · KJVPower is revealed where human strength reaches its limit, unsettling the belief that force is the only form of power.

THE THREAD

The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:

Isaiah 14:24 · KJV

Job says the weapon cannot stand; Isaiah says the LORD’s purpose shall stand. Both use ⁨קום⁩ (qûm, rise or stand), turning the question toward what can truly hold its ground.

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