Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "monster" is not explicitly used in most traditional translations, but the concept can be found in various forms throughout the Scriptures. The Bible often uses vivid imagery and symbolism to describe creatures that might be considered monstrous by human standards. These creatures are typically associated with chaos, evil, or divine judgment.
Leviathan and BehemothTwo of the most notable creatures that could be classified as "monsters" in the Bible are Leviathan and Behemoth. These creatures are mentioned in the Book of Job, where God describes them to Job as examples of His power and the mysteries of creation.
Leviathan is depicted as a formidable sea creature. In
Job 41:1-34, God challenges Job, asking, "Can you pull in Leviathan with a hook or tie down his tongue with a rope?" (
Job 41:1). The description of Leviathan includes its impenetrable scales, fearsome teeth, and the ability to breathe fire, suggesting a creature of immense strength and terror. Leviathan is often interpreted as a symbol of chaos and evil, representing forces that are beyond human control but under God's dominion.
Behemoth, on the other hand, is described in
Job 40:15-24 as a powerful land creature. God says to Job, "Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you. He feeds on grass like an ox" (
Job 40:15). Behemoth is characterized by its strength and size, with bones like "tubes of bronze" and limbs like "rods of iron" (
Job 40:18). This creature is often seen as a symbol of God's creative power and the majesty of His creation.
Dragons and SerpentsThe imagery of dragons and serpents is also prevalent in the Bible, often associated with Satan or evil forces. In the Book of Revelation, the dragon is a prominent figure representing Satan.
Revelation 12:9 states, "And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, who leads the whole world astray" . This dragon is depicted as a monstrous being with seven heads and ten horns, symbolizing its power and malevolence.
In the Old Testament, the serpent is introduced in
Genesis 3 as the creature that tempts Eve in the Garden of Eden. This serpent is later identified with Satan, further linking serpentine imagery with evil and deception.
Symbolism and InterpretationThe monstrous creatures in the Bible often serve as symbols of chaos, evil, or the unknown. They are used to illustrate the power and sovereignty of God over all creation, including the forces that seem uncontrollable or fearsome to humanity. These creatures remind believers of the spiritual battles that exist and the ultimate victory of God over evil.
While the Bible does not provide detailed descriptions of these creatures as modern "monsters," the symbolic use of such imagery serves to communicate deeper theological truths about God's power, the reality of evil, and the hope of redemption.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Something of unnatural size, shape, or quality; a prodigy; an enormity; a marvel.
2. (n.) Specifically , an animal or plant departing greatly from the usual type, as by having too many limbs.
3. (n.) Any thing or person of unnatural or excessive ugliness, deformity, wickedness, or cruelty.
4. (a.) Monstrous in size.
5. (v. t.) To make monstrous.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MONSTERmon'-ster.
SeeDRAGON;SEA-MONSTER.
Greek
1404. drakon -- a dragon (a mythicalmonster)... a dragon (a mythical
monster). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
drakon Phonetic Spelling: (drak'-own) Short Definition: a dragon or huge serpent
...2785. ketos -- a huge fish
... a huge fish. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: ketos Phonetic Spelling:
(kay'-tos) Short Definition: a seamonster, huge fish Definition: a sea...
Strong's Hebrew
8577. tannin -- serpent, dragon, seamonster... 8576, 8577. tannin. 8578 . serpent, dragon, sea
monster. Transliteration:
tannin Phonetic Spelling: (tan-neen') Short Definition:
monster.
...3882. Livyathan -- "serpent," a seamonster or dragon
... 3881, 3882. Livyathan. 3883 . "serpent," a seamonster or dragon. Transliteration:
Livyathan Phonetic Spelling: (liv-yaw-thawn') Short Definition: Leviathan...
7293. Rahab -- "storm," a seamonster
... 7292, 7293. Rahab. 7294 . "storm," a seamonster. Transliteration: Rahab
Phonetic Spelling: (rah'-hab) Short Definition: Rahab....
3917a. lilith -- a female night-demon
... 3917, 3917a. lilith. 3917b . a female night-demon. Transliteration:
lilith Short Definition:monster. Word Origin from the same...
8565. tan -- a jackal
... From an unused root probably meaning to elongate; amonster (as preternaturally
formed), ie A sea-serpent (or other huge marine animal); also a jackal (or...
Library
AMonster Elm
... Chapter 16. Windsor Park; Wesley as Art Critic; Glasgow and Perth; At 70,
Wesley Preaches to 30,000 People AMonster Elm. Monday, 11...
AMonster Called a Declaration
... Chapter 12. Wesley's Letter to an Editor; Impositions and Declarations; the Speaking
Statue; Wesley's Pentecost AMonster Called a Declaration....
Talmage -- a BloodyMonster
... TALMAGE " A BLOODYMONSTER. A BLOODYMONSTER BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE. Thomas De Witt Talmage
was born at Bound Brook, NJ, in 1832.... 1832"1901. A BLOODYMONSTER[1]....
The Adventure of the Three Sons of Saint George.
... As they gazed around, to discover whence the noise could have proceeded, they saw
coming towards them a most hideousmonster, of excessive size and terrible...
The Adventures of Saint James of Spain.
... No sooner did themonster see him than, darting down, it attacked him with its
red-hot beak, for having dared thus to enter its dominions....
The Resurrection of Our Lord.
... illuminated and lightsome. At the same moment I saw a frightfulmonster
burst from the earth underneath the sepulchre. It had the...
Answer to Objections: Signal Instances of Prayer
... Even Jonah, because he did not despair of being heard from the belly of themonster
that had swallowed him, was able to quit themonster's belly and complete...
The Adventures of Saint Anthony of Italy.
... Now his ship was tossed by storms, now pursued by a huge seamonster, with jaws
so wide that the affrighted mariners believed that it was about to swallow up...
Saint George Kills the Enchanter Osmond.
... country remains desolate. He has left the guarding of the castle to a terrible
giant, the ugliestmonster eyes ever beheld. He is...
The Death of Saint George.
... Themonster, by a strange instinct knowing that his death drew nigh, made such a
hideous yelling, that it seemed as if the sky was bursting with thunder, and...
Thesaurus
Night-monsterNight-
monster. Nightmonster, Night-
monster. Nights . Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia NIGHT-
MONSTER. nit'-mon-ster (lilith
...Monster (10 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To make monstrous. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.MONSTER. mon'-ster.
See DRAGON; SEA-MONSTER. Multi-Version ConcordanceMonster (10 Occurrences)....
Sea-monster (1 Occurrence)
Sea-monster. Seamonster, Sea-monster. Sea-'monster . Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia SEA-MONSTER. se'-mon-ster: Genesis...
Sea-'monster (2 Occurrences)
Sea-'monster. Sea-monster, Sea-'monster. Sea-monsters .
Multi-Version Concordance Sea-'monster (2 Occurrences). Job...
Sea-monster's (1 Occurrence)
Sea-monster's. Sea-monsters, Sea-monster's. Seams . Multi-Version
Concordance Sea-monster's (1 Occurrence). Matthew...
Whale (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The Hebrew word tan (plural, tannin) is so rendered
in Job 7:12 (AV; but RV, "sea-monster"). It is rendered...
Seamonster
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SEA-MONSTER. se'-mon-ster: Genesis 1:21
(tanninim), "sea monsters," the King James Version "whales...
Nightmonster
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia NIGHT-MONSTER.... The term "night-monster" is a hypothetical
translation of the Hebrew term lilith, used once only, in Isaiah 34:14....
Jackal (3 Occurrences)
... jak'-ol: (1) tannim, "jackals," the King James Version "dragons"; compare Arabic
tinan, "wolf"; and compare tannin, Arab tinnin, "seamonster" or "monster" the...
Satyr
... wild beasts of the desert (tsiyim) shall meet with the wolves ('iyim), and the wild
goat (sa`ir) shall cry to his fellow; yea, the nightmonster (lilith) shall...
Resources
Are there descendants of the Nephilim in the world today? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the leviathan? | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about Apologetics (All) | GotQuestions.orgMonster: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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