His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.
Rather х 'ªpiyqeey (H650) maaginiym (H4043)], his furrows of shields (as 'tubes' 'channels,' note, Job 40:18) are his pride - i:e., the rows of scales, like shields, covering him: he has seventeen such rows in his furrowed coat of scales.
Shut up - firmly closed together. A musket ball cannot penetrate him except in the eye, throat, and belly.