Job 40:22

Modern

The lotus plants conceal him in their shade; the willows of the brook surround him.

Traditional

The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.

Literal

The lotus trees cover him with their shade; the willows of the brook surround him.

Latin

Protegunt umbræ umbram ejus: circumdabunt eum salices torrentis.

Hebrew

English

The lotus plants conceal him in their shade; the willows of the brook surround him.

After listing natural animals, God described Behemoth and "Leviathan" as creatures humans cannot control (39:1–30; 40:15–24; 41:1–34). Job could not control the wild donkey or ox (39:5–12; 40:15–24). However, God created and could control them, and Job had to accept this fact (41:2).
Here, Behemoth appears to be a natural creature:

It is an animal God made, just as he made Job (40:15).
It is not a fierce predator but eats grass like an ox (40:15).
It is in a poem about God’s creation of the natural world, not in a myth about the world's formation. Most commentators think Behemoth is the hippopotamus, a large, grass-eating animal (40:15–19). It rests in the river among lotus plants and reeds (40:21). Like the wild ox, Behemoth is strong (40:16–18, 24; 39:11). Yet it is mostly peaceful (40:20–23).

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah 15:7
So they carry their wealth and belongings over the Brook of the Willows.
Leviticus 23:40
On the first day you are to gather the fruit of majestic trees, the branches of palm trees, and the boughs of leafy trees and of willows of the brook. And you are to rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.
Ezekiel 17:5
He took some of the seed of the land and planted it in fertile soil; he placed it by abundant waters and set it out like a willow.