The Lord challenges Job-3
Job 40:17 He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
However, though these are apparently actual animals, they may also represent proud, wicked elements in the world. In the ancient Near East these beasts, in their brute force (Job 40:16-18; 41:12, 41:22, 41:26-29) and agitation of the waters (Job 41:31-32), symbolized the chaotic effect of evil. (This helps explain how the crocodile then became the basis for the idea of a mythological dragon, a creature that causes extreme chaos in the waters.)
he moveth...
חָפֵץ
châphêts
khaw-fates'
A primitive root; properly to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively to be pleased with, desire: - X any at all, (have, take) delight, desire, favour, like, move, be (well) pleased, have pleasure, will, would.
his tail...
זָנָב
zânâb
zaw-nawb'
From to wag; to curtail (in the original sense of flapping); the tail (literally or figuratively): - tail.
like...
כָּמוֹ כְּמוֹ
kemô kâmô
kem-o', kaw-mo'
A form of the prefix K, but used separately (compare properly set upright; hence just); as, thus, so: - according to, (such) as (it were, well as), in comparison of, like (as, to, unto), thus, when, worth.
a cedar:...
אֶרֶז
'erez
eh'-rez
From to be firm; - made of cedar; a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots): - cedar (tree).
the sinews...
גִּיד
gı̂yd
gheed
Probably from to crowd upon, that is, attack: - invade, overcome; a thong (as compressing); by analogy a tendon: - sinew.
of his stones...
פַּחַד
pachad
pakh'-ad
The same as a sudden alarm the subject feared, the feeling of dread; a testicle (as a cause of shame akin to fear): - stone.
are wrapped together...
שָׂרַג
śârag
saw-rag'
A primitive root; to in-twine: - wrap together, wreath.
The slightness of human power is certainly contrasted with the omnipotence of God, and the ignorance of man with the omniscience of God; but always the Divine faithfulness, glowing behind, shines through the veil of nature, and it is this Job is called to recognize. Has he almost doubted everything, because from his own life outward to the verge of human existence wrong and falsehood seemed to reign? But how, then, could the countless creatures depend upon God for the satisfaction of their desires and the fulfillment of their varied life? Order in nature means order in the scheme of the world as it affects humanity. And order in the providence which controls human affairs must have for its first principle fairness, justice, so that every deed shall have due reward.