The Book of Job: Pl. 15, Behold now Behemoth which I made with thee

The Book of Job: Pl. 15, Behold now Behemoth which I made with thee is a significant engraving created by William Blake in 1825. This print belongs to Blake’s renowned suite of twenty-one illustrations commissioned by John Linnell, representing the culmination of the artist's lifelong engagement with biblical symbolism and visionary art.

As a masterwork of English printmaking, this specific plate depicts a crucial moment when the voice of God challenges Job’s suffering by describing the insurmountable power of creation, embodied here by the mythological monster, Behemoth. The powerful creature dominates the lower half of the composition, while Job and his companions observe in awe from above, emphasizing humanity's smallness before divine, untamed nature. Blake uses the meticulous process of engraving to achieve stark contrasts between light and shadow, defining the musculature of Behemoth and the expressive reactions of the figures.

Created late in his career, this influential series cemented Blake’s legacy as a leading figure of visionary art in the United Kingdom during the early 19th century. The technique employed in these illustrative prints utilized intaglio methods, allowing Blake to capture profound spiritual drama with fine precision. The power of Behold now Behemoth which I made with thee ensures its continued study both in religious iconography and the history of printmaking. This exceptional example of Blake’s work is held in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, and due to its historical significance, the work is frequently made available within the public domain for research and study.