Upon the earth there is not his like
As to form and figure; in most creatures there is some likeness between those in the sea and on the land, as sea horses, calves but there is no likeness between a whale and any creature on earth; there is between the crocodile and the lizard; nor is any like the whale for the largeness of its bulk; the Targum is,
``his dominion is not on the earth,''but on the sea, as Aben Ezra notes; but rather the sense is, there is no power on earth that he obeys and submits to, as the Tigurine version; though the meaning seems to be, that there is none like him, for what follows:
who is made without fear;
yet this agrees not neither with the crocodile, which Aelianus F23 says is fearful; nor with the whale, which will make off and depart at the shoutings of men, blowing of trumpets, and making use of any tinkling instruments, at which it is frightened, as Strabo F24, Philostratus F25, and Olaus Magnus F26, relate. It is observed F1; of their valour, that if they see a man or a long boat, they go under water and run away; and are never known to endeavour to hurt any man, but when in danger; though a voyager F2 of our own says,
``we saw whales in Whale-sound, and lying aloft on the water, not fearing our ships, or aught else.''The Targum is,
``he is made that he might not be broken;''or bruised, as Bochart; as reptiles usually may, among whom the crocodile may be reckoned, because of its short legs; and yet is made with such a hard scaly skin, that it cannot be crushed, bruised, and broken. Aben Ezra observes that some say, the word "hu", that is, "he", is wanting, and should be supplied, "he", that is, "[God], made him without fear"; or that he might not be bruised; wherefore Cocceius interprets the following words entirely of God.
F23 De Animal. l. 10. c. 24.
F24 Geograph. l. 15. p. 499.
F25 Vit. Apollon. l. 3. c. 16.
F26 De Ritu Gent. Septent. l. 21. c. 3, 6.
F1 Voyage to Spitzbergen, p. 153.
F2 Baffin in the North-West Fox, p. 150.