Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
Out of his mouth go burning lamps - The word "lamps" here is probably used to denote torches, or fire-brands. The animal is here described as in pursuit of his prey on land; and the description is exceedingly graphic and powerful. His mouth is then open; his jaws are distended; his breath is thrown out with great violence; his blood is inflamed, and the animal seems to vomit forth flames. The description is of course to be regarded as figurative. It is such as one would be likely to give who should see a fierce animal pressing on in pursuit of its prey.
And sparks of fire leap out - There is an appearance like sparks of fire. The animal, with an open throat highly inflamed, seems to breathe forth flames. The figure is a common one applied to a war-horse. Thus, Ovid:
"From their full racks the generous steeds retire,
Dropping ambrosial foam and snorting fire."
Dr. Good
The same thing is remarked by Achilles Tatius, of the hippopotamus, "With open nostrils, and breathing smoke like fire ( ́ ́ purōdē kapnon ) as from a fountain of fire." And in Eustathius it is said, "They have an open nostril, breathing forth smoke like fire from a furnace " - ́ ́, ̓ ̓ ́ ́ purōdē kapnon , hōs ek kaminou pneonta . See Bochart.
Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Job 41:19:
Job 41:20
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