Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Leviathan is a formidable creature mentioned in the Bible, often symbolizing chaos and power. Its depiction varies across different scriptural passages, but it consistently represents a force of great strength and mystery. The term "Leviathan" is derived from the Hebrew word "לִוְיָתָן" (Livyatan), which is thought to mean "twisted" or "coiled."
Biblical References:1.
Job 41:The most detailed description of Leviathan is found in the Book of Job, where God challenges Job by describing the creature's might and invincibility. In
Job 41:1-34, Leviathan is portrayed as a sea monster that cannot be tamed by humans. The passage emphasizes its fearsome nature, with God asking, "Can you pull in Leviathan with a hook or tie down his tongue with a rope?" (
Job 41:1). The description continues to highlight its impenetrable scales, fiery breath, and immense strength, underscoring the futility of human efforts to subdue it.
2.
Psalm 74:14:In this psalm, Leviathan is depicted as a multi-headed sea creature defeated by God. The verse states, "You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert" (
Psalm 74:14). This imagery is often interpreted as a metaphor for God's victory over chaos and evil, demonstrating His supreme power and authority.
3.
Psalm 104:26:Here, Leviathan is mentioned in the context of God's creation, highlighting its role within the natural order. The verse reads, "There the ships pass, and Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there" (
Psalm 104:26). This portrayal suggests that Leviathan, despite its might, is part of God's sovereign design and serves His purposes.
4.
Isaiah 27:1:In a prophetic context, Leviathan is described as a serpent and a symbol of evil that God will ultimately defeat. The verse proclaims, "In that day the LORD will take His sharp, great, and mighty sword, and bring judgment on Leviathan, the fleeing serpent—Leviathan, the coiling serpent—and He will slay the dragon of the sea" (
Isaiah 27:1). This passage is often interpreted as a promise of God's ultimate triumph over evil and chaos.
Theological Significance:Leviathan serves as a powerful symbol within the biblical narrative, representing chaos, evil, and the untamable forces of nature. Its depiction in Scripture underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and power over all creation. In the context of Job, Leviathan illustrates the limits of human understanding and control, pointing to the need for humility before God's wisdom and might. In prophetic literature, Leviathan's defeat signifies the ultimate victory of God over evil, offering hope and assurance of divine justice.
Cultural and Historical Context:In the ancient Near Eastern context, sea monsters like Leviathan were common symbols of chaos and disorder. Similar creatures appear in the mythologies of surrounding cultures, such as the Babylonian Tiamat and the Canaanite Lotan. The biblical portrayal of Leviathan, however, distinguishes itself by emphasizing God's control and authority over such forces, reinforcing the monotheistic belief in a sovereign Creator.
Conclusion:While Leviathan is a mysterious and awe-inspiring figure in the Bible, its primary role is to highlight God's unmatched power and the order He brings to creation. Through the imagery of Leviathan, Scripture communicates profound truths about the nature of God, the reality of evil, and the hope of divine redemption.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A transliterated Hebrew word (livyathan), meaning "twisted," "coiled." In
Job 3:8, Revised Version, and marg. of Authorized Version, it denotes the dragon which, according to Eastern tradition, is an enemy of light; in 41:1 the crocodile is meant; in
Psalm 104:26 it "denotes any large animal that moves by writhing or wriggling the body, the whale, the monsters of the deep." This word is also used figuratively for a cruel enemy, as some think "the Egyptian host, crushed by the divine power, and cast on the shores of the Red Sea" (
Psalm 74:14). As used in Isaiah 27:1, "leviathan the piercing [R.V. `swift'] serpent, even leviathan that crooked [R.V. marg. `winding'] serpent," the word may probably denote the two empires, the Assyrian and the Babylonian.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A large aquatic animal or vessel; a whale; a sea monster; an aquatic animal, described in the book of Job, ch. xli., and mentioned in other passages of Scripture.
2. (n.) The whale, or a great whale.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LEVIATHANle-vi'-a-than (liwyathan (Job 41:1-34), from lawah, "to fold"; compare Arabic name of the wry neck, Iynx torquilla, abu-luwa, from kindred lawa, "to bend"):
(1) The word "leviathan" also occurs inIsaiah 27:1, where it is characterized as "the swift serpent.... the crooked serpent"; inPsalm 104:26, where a marine monster is indicated; also inPsalm 74:14 andJob 3:8. The description inJob 41 has been thought by some to refer to the whale, but while the whale suits better the expressions denoting great strength, the words apply best on the whole to the crocodile. Moreover, the whale is very seldom found in the Mediterranean, while the crocodile is abundant in the Nile, and has been known to occur in at least one river of Palestine, the Zarqa, North of Jaffa. For a discussion of the behemoth and leviathan as mythical creatures, see EB, under the word "Behemoth" and "Leviathan." The points in the description which may well apply to the crocodile are the great invulnerability, the strong and close scales, the limbs and the teeth. It must be admitted that there are many expressions which a modern scientist would not use with reference to the crocodile, but the Book of Job is neither modern nor scientific, but poetical and ancient.
(2) SeeASTRONOMY, sec. II, 2, 5.
Alfred Ely Day
Strong's Hebrew
3882. Livyathan -- "serpent," a sea monster or dragon... "serpent," a sea monster or dragon. Transliteration: Livyathan Phonetic Spelling:
(liv-yaw-thawn') Short Definition:
Leviathan.
...leviathan, mourning.
...Library
Antichrist in Isaiah
... "In that day the Lord with His sore and great and strong sword shall punish,Leviathan
the piercing Serpent, evenLeviathan that crooked Serpent; and He shall...
In this Diagram were Described Ten Circles, Distinct from Each...
... described ten circles, distinct from each other, but united by one circle, which
was said to be the soul of all things, and was called "Leviathan." [4413] This...
The Antichrist Will be the Son of Satan
... 2. "In that day the Lord with His sore and great and strong sword shall punish
Leviathan the piercing Serpent, evenLeviathan that crooked Serpent; and he...
The Binding of Satan.
... For "in that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish
leviathan [the dragon], the piercing serpent, evenleviathan that crooked...
Since it Has Been Proved that the Son is True God...
... For holy Job prophesied of the coming of the Lord; of Whom he said in truth that
He would vanquish the greatLeviathan, [2552] and it was done....
How Sowers of Strifes and Peacemakers are to be Admonished.
... Footnotes: [1280] So Vulgate. Gregory always takesLeviathan to signify the devil.
[1281] So Vulgate. Gregory always takesLeviathan to signify the devil....
The Two Talents
... There is a great ocean, and it needs inhabitants. O Lord, thou hast made
Leviathan to swim therein. There is a secret grotto, a...
The Mission of the Son of Man
... A great monarch has acted likeleviathan in the sea; he hath moved himself wherever
he pleased; he hath seemed mighty among the sons of men; all the rest of...
Death.
... And he has heard from them of mightier monsters than his own Mediterranean breeds;
of theLeviathan, the whale, larger than the largest ship which he has ever...
One of Paul's Prayers
... You cannot draw outleviathan with a hook.... For it is this sameleviathan among men
who has written with his own hand this combined challenge and encouragement....
Thesaurus
Leviathan (5 Occurrences)... As used in Isaiah 27:1, "
leviathan the piercing [RV `swift'] serpent, even
leviathan that crooked [RV marg.
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
LEVIATHAN.
...Nightmonster
... such traces have been discovered: "Rahab" (rachabh), mentioned in Job 9:13; Job
26:12 Isaiah 51:9; "Tanin" (tannin), Isaiah 27:1; "Leviathan" (liwyathan), Job 3...
Night-monster
... such traces have been discovered: "Rahab" (rachabh), mentioned in Job 9:13; Job
26:12 Isaiah 51:9; "Tanin" (tannin), Isaiah 27:1; "Leviathan" (liwyathan), Job 3...
Levi'athan (2 Occurrences)
Levi'athan.Leviathan, Levi'athan. Levied .... Levi'athan (2 Occurrences). Job
3:8 Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to rouse upleviathan....
Gliding (4 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 27:1 In that day the Lord, with his great and strong and cruel sword, will
send punishment onLeviathan, the quick-moving snake, and onLeviathan, the...
Monster (10 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 27:1 In that day Jehovah with his hard and great and strong sword will punish
leviathan the swift serpent, andleviathan the crooked serpent; and he...
Coiling (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 27:1 In that day the Lord, with his great and strong and cruel sword, will
send punishment onLeviathan, the quick-moving snake, and onLeviathan, the...
Zoology
... Quail, Peacock GRALLATORES: Crane, Heron, Stork STEGANOPODES: Pelican, Cormorant
RATTAE: Ostrich Reptiles: CROCODILIA: Crocodile (Leviathan) CHELONIA: Tortoise...
Punish (84 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 27:1 In that day, Yahweh with his hard and great and strong sword will punish
leviathan, the fleeing serpent, andleviathan the twisted serpent; and he...
Fleeing (38 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 27:1 In that day, Yahweh with his hard and great and strong sword will punish
leviathan, the fleeing serpent, andleviathan the twisted serpent; and he...
Resources
What was the leviathan? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a leviathan spirit? | GotQuestions.orgAre any mythological creatures mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgLeviathan: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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