Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 40:24

24. He taketh it with his Eyes: his nose pierceth through snares .

According to this Translation the sense is this, He taketh, or snatcheth, or draweth up (as was now said, v. 23.) it (to wit, the River Iordan) with his Eyes, i. e. when he sees it, he trusteth that he can drink it all up; as we use to say, The Eye is bigger than the Belly his Nose or Snout pierceth, &c. i. e. He securely thrusteth his Snout into the River even to the bottom of it, to stir up the mud, because he delights to drink muddy Water, and if there be any Snares laid for other Creatures he breaks them to pieces. But this Verse is otherwise translated by others, Will or Can any man take him in his Eyes? (i. e. openly and by manifest force? Surely no. His force and strength is too great for Man to resist or overcome: and therefore men are forced to use many wiles and engines to catch him; which is true both of the Elephant and of the Hippopotamus:) Or pierce his Nose with Snares or Gins? No. He may be taken by art and cunning, but not by violence.

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