איוב, פרק מ״א, פסוק כ״א

The ultimate sea creature, the Leviathan, possesses such immense strength that human attempts to subdue it are entirely futile. Man's most powerful and destructive weapons leave absolutely no impression on the beast, which treats them with complete disdain. When various armaments are launched at the creature, they cause no damage and are regarded as nothing more than pieces of straw [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

While these attacks generally involve heavy weaponry [אבן עזרא, רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ], the primary approach among commentators is that the threat refers to massive siege equipment, such as a giant catapult designed to hurl heavy stones and shatter fortress walls. To the Leviathan, the impact of these devastating boulders feels as soft and harmless as falling straw [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד, רלב״ג, מלבי״ם]. Other perspectives suggest the weapon might be a heavy axe [רמב״ן] or a specialized fishing tool equipped with sharp pegs [רלב״ג].

Even when faced with the direct threat of a spear or lance [מצודת ציון], the creature simply laughs in mockery. It shows no fear whatsoever and continues to move about completely undisturbed [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The commotion surrounding these spears is understood in several ways. It may be the rattling sound the weapons make when warriors shake them in their hands before striking, a common battle tactic [אבן עזרא, רלב״ג], or the noise produced when the lance is hurled through the air with tremendous force [רמב״ן]. Alternatively, the noise might not come from the weapons at all, but rather from the chaotic shouting of the warriors wielding them [רש״י]. Finally, another view interprets the noise as the sounds of destruction that will ultimately result from the death of those very warriors who dared to attack the creature [מצודת דוד].