Neesing
What is Neesing?
"Neesing" is an archaic English term found in the 1611 King James Version of the Bible, representing what modern translations render as "sneezing" or "snorting." The word derives from Middle English "nesen," meaning to sneeze. In Elizabethan English, the term could describe either a human sneeze or an animal's forceful nasal exhalation. This linguistic ambiguity creates some interpretive challenge in the single biblical passage where it appears, requiring readers to consider context to understand the intended meaning.
The Biblical Occurrence: Job 41:18
The sole appearance of "neesing" in Scripture occurs in Job 41:18 (KJV): "By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning." This verse forms part of God's extended description of Leviathan—a mighty creature beyond human control. The context is God's rhetorical questioning of Job, designed to highlight divine sovereignty and human limitation. God describes Leviathan's fearsome attributes to remind Job that if he cannot comprehend or control such a creature, how much less can he comprehend the ways of God.
Modern translations clarify the term's meaning: the ESV renders it "His sneezings flash forth light," while the NIV says "Snorting flashes forth light." This vivid imagery contributes to the portrait of Leviathan as a creature of immense power and awe-inspiring presence.
Interpretive Challenges and Context
The Hebrew word behind "neesing" is `aṭishah`, occurring only in Job 41:18. Scholars connect it to a Semitic root meaning "to sneeze" or possibly "to snort." The interpretive challenge lies in determining whether the original described an actual sneeze (a sudden, involuntary expulsion of air) or a snort (a deliberate, forceful exhalation).
The immediate context favors "snort" rather than "sneeze." Leviathan (often identified as a crocodile or similar large aquatic creature) doesn't sneeze in the human sense but does forcefully expel air and water vapor through its nostrils. When this moist breath catches sunlight, it can create a sparkling, luminous effect—"a light doth shine." This natural phenomenon becomes poetic imagery emphasizing the creature's vitality and fearsome presence.
Later editions of the KJV and most modern translations clarify another occurrence: 2 Kings 4:35 describes Elisha reviving the Shunammite's son, with early KJV editions stating "the child neesed seven times" (later changed to "sneezed"). This confirms the term's primary meaning as sneezing in other contexts.
Theological Significance in Job's Narrative
The description of Leviathan's "neesing" serves a crucial theological purpose in Job. After Job's suffering and questioning, God responds not with explanations but with displays of divine power and wisdom in creation. The Leviathan passage (Job 41:1-34) forms the climax of this response, describing a creature so powerful that humans stand helpless before it.
Leviathan's "neesings that flash light" symbolize the untamed, awe-inspiring aspects of creation that reflect God's power and transcendence. The imagery teaches that God's creative work includes elements beyond human comprehension or control. This reinforces the book's central theme: God's wisdom and sovereignty far exceed human understanding, especially regarding suffering and justice.
The passage also counters ancient Near Eastern mythology where gods battled sea monsters. In Job, Leviathan isn't a rival god but God's creation—impressive yet firmly under divine authority. The sparkling breath emphasizes the creature's vitality as a testament to God's creative genius.
Historical and Cultural Background
In the ancient Near East, large aquatic creatures like crocodiles or hippopotamuses were both feared and mythologized. Egyptian and Canaanite literature contained tales of battles against sea monsters representing chaos. Job's description borrows this imagery but transforms it: Leviathan isn't chaos to be defeated but a magnificent creature displaying God's power.
The natural phenomenon behind the imagery—moist breath sparkling in sunlight—would have been observable to people familiar with large animals. Crocodiles do forcefully expel air and vapor, which can create visible effects in certain light conditions. The biblical author uses this observable detail to create powerful poetic imagery.
Linguistically, the KJV's use of "neesing" reflects early modern English vocabulary that has since become archaic. The term's preservation in the influential King James Version has made it a subject of study for those interested in biblical translation history and the evolution of English religious language.
Biblical Context
The term "neesing" appears only in Job 41:18 in the King James Version, within God's description of Leviathan. This passage forms part of God's response to Job's questioning (Job 38-41), where God displays His sovereignty through descriptions of creation. The context is poetic rather than narrative, using vivid imagery to convey theological truths about God's power and wisdom. While the KJV used "neesed" in 2 Kings 4:35 in early editions (describing the revived child's sneezing), later editions and other translations use "sneezed."
Theological Significance
The description of Leviathan's "neesing" teaches important truths about God's relationship to creation. First, it displays God's absolute sovereignty—even the most fearsome creatures are under His control and serve His purposes. Second, it highlights God's wisdom in creating a diverse world that includes elements beyond human comprehension. Third, it reinforces the book of Job's central message: God's ways are higher than human ways, and His power is displayed throughout creation. The sparkling breath imagery transforms a natural phenomenon into a testament to God's creative glory.
Historical Background
The Hebrew word `aṭishah` appears only in Job 41:18, connected to Semitic roots for sneezing or snorting. Ancient Near Eastern cultures often mythologized large aquatic creatures as chaos monsters. Job demythologizes these concepts, presenting Leviathan as God's creation rather than a divine rival. The KJV's "neesing" reflects early modern English vocabulary that has since become archaic. Natural historians note that crocodiles do forcefully expel air and vapor that can sparkle in sunlight, suggesting the imagery derives from observable phenomena rather than mythological fire-breathing.