מְטִיל (me.til)
me.til
rod
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mᵉṭîl refers to a solid bar or rod made of wrought metal, specifically hammered iron. In its only biblical appearance, Job 40:18, it describes the strength of Behemoth’s tail, comparing it to a sturdy cedar trunk supported by such bars. The term emphasizes durability and industrial craftsmanship, suggesting an object forged through labor rather than naturally occurring.
Its root likely connects to the idea of casting or throwing, reflecting the process of shaping molten metal into a fixed form. Translators often render it as "rod" or "bar," though these English words can feel generic. The Hebrew carries a heavier, more industrial weight, evoking images of blacksmithing and structural support. This usage highlights the creature’s immense power, rooted in human-like manufacturing techniques. The word stands apart from terms for simple sticks or natural branches, focusing instead on refined, artificial strength.
By using mᵉṭîl, the text draws a vivid contrast between wild nature and crafted order. The animal’s tail is not merely long but reinforced with metal, blending beastly force with human ingenuity. This imagery underscores the limits of human understanding when faced with such creation. The word invites reflection on how ancient audiences perceived strength, seeing it in both natural forms and skilled workmanship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word מְטִיל (mᵉṭîl) appears only once in Scripture, in Job 40:18. It describes the tail of Behemoth as being supported by rods or bars of iron. This is not a simple stick or branch. It is a heavy, hammered metal bar, forged with human skill and strength.
When Job looks at this creature, he sees power that feels almost manufactured. The image reminds us that God’s creation includes things beyond our full understanding. We often try to measure everything by what we can control or explain. Yet here is a beast whose very structure defies easy categorization.
This single word invites us to rest in the mystery of God’s work. Not everything needs to be fully grasped to be real. Sometimes, simply acknowledging the vastness of what God has made brings peace. We do not need to master every detail to trust the Maker.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [are] like/ a rod of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כִּ/מְטִ֥יל1×
Key Verses
-
Job 40:18
His bones are like tubes of bronze. His limbs are like bars of iron.
The word מְטִיל specifies that Behemoth's tail is reinforced with hammered iron bars, emphasizing artificial strength rather than natural flexibility.