Why do biblical texts include myths like the Leviathan and Behemoth?

1. Overview of Leviathan and Behemoth

Scripture presents two remarkable creatures, Leviathan and Behemoth, especially within the poetic and wisdom literature. While these references are sometimes dismissed as myth, the biblical text treats them with seriousness, describing powerful beings under the sovereignty of the Creator. The question arises: “Why would the Bible include such creatures if they sound mythical?” A closer examination reveals their roles in highlighting God’s authority over all creation, ancient or modern, and conveying deeper theological truths.

2. Scriptural Descriptions and Key Passages

In the Book of Job, God Himself speaks of Behemoth and Leviathan when addressing Job’s questions about suffering and the nature of divine justice.

Behemoth

“Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you. He feeds on grass like an ox. See the strength of his loins and the power in the muscles of his belly. He swings his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit. His bones are tubes of bronze; his limbs are rods of iron. He is the foremost of the works of God; only his Maker can draw the sword against him.” (Job 40:15–19)

Leviathan

“Can you pull in Leviathan with a hook or tie down his tongue with a rope? … Can you fill his hide with harpoons or his head with fishing spears? … Nothing on earth is his equal—a creature devoid of fear.” (Job 41:1, 7, 33)

These passages underscore that both creatures were real enough for the author of Job’s day—whether still living and known to them or preserved in their collective memory—and vividly demonstrate the surpassing power of God.

3. Ancient Context and Surrounding Cultures

Numerous ancient cultures recorded encounters or legends about formidable land and sea creatures. Archeologists studying the Ugaritic texts (c. 14th century BC) have discovered accounts mentioning a “chaos monster” called “Lotan,” which closely resembles the Hebrew word for Leviathan. Unlike pagan myths, however, the biblical text places Leviathan firmly under God’s authority. Scripture turns these cultural references into a reminder of the true Creator’s supremacy and sovereignty over creation, in contrast to the chaotic deities of other traditions.

4. Literary Genre and Poetic Device

Biblical verses in books like Job and the Psalms employ poetic imagery, intensifying the grandeur of these creatures. Poetic passages often use hyperbole, majestic descriptions, and parallelism to exalt the Creator’s power. This literary method does not negate the creatures’ actual existence; rather, it underscores moral and theological lessons in highly vivid language. Psalm 104:26 states, “There the ships pass by, and Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there,” clearly describing a formidable sea creature without suggesting a fictional origin.

5. Possible Biological Correlates

From a young-earth perspective, some researchers propose that Behemoth could have been a type of large dinosaur or a massive land mammal like the hippopotamus or an animal with a similar build—though the “tail like a cedar” (Job 40:17) suggests something far larger and more powerful than a mere hippo. Archaeological and paleontological findings confirm that giant reptiles, often referred to as dinosaurs, roamed the Earth. Advocates of a young-earth creation standpoint point to footprints and human-like carvings alongside dinosaur depictions (such as reports near Glen Rose, Texas) as suggestive, though debated, evidence of humans and such creatures potentially coexisting.

Leviathan, based on various biblical descriptions (Job 41 and Psalm 74:14), may correlate to a giant marine reptile or a mighty sea creature with fearsome qualities. The elaborate depiction of scales, immense strength, and even the suggestion of fiery breath (Job 41:18–21) captivates readers, whether interpreted literally or poetically. Many see in these descriptions echoes of real animals—possibly extinct today—or extremely large marine reptiles who once lived in Earth’s oceans.

6. Theological and Philosophical Significance

Leviathan and Behemoth highlight God’s omnipotence. When the Creator challenges Job to compare his capabilities to these mighty creatures, the point is clear: humanity cannot tame the fiercest aspects of creation, but the Creator reigns over them effortlessly. This contrast underscores:

• Divine Authority: The narrative emphasizes that even the most seemingly invincible beasts remain beneath God’s command.

• Human Limitations: Job’s shortcomings, and by extension ours, are set against these creatures’ magnitude to humble our pride.

• Purpose in Suffering: In Job’s context, God uses nature’s greatest animals to remind Job that His purposes, though mysterious, are grounded in a far higher wisdom and power.

7. Addressing “Mythical” Concerns

While the Bible uses dramatic language reminiscent of other ancient stories, it never relegates these creatures to mere fantasy. Instead, Scripture assigns them a place as part of God’s real creation. Days of creation, genealogies, and other biblical timelines simplify no portion of God’s creative diversity; they highlight that all creatures, past and present—whether dinosaurs, large mammals, or fearsome sea reptiles—fit within God’s overarching plan.

Comparisons to ancient myths often focus on superficial similarities, yet the biblical narratives consistently differ in theology and purpose. The biblical accounts direct worship to the one true God who made all things. By contrast, pagan myths sometimes revered fearsome beasts as deities or wove them into pantheons. The biblical text prohibits such idolatry and insists that every being, no matter how colossal, is subject to God, who alone is worthy of earnest devotion.

8. Unity of Scriptural Witness

The broader context of Scripture’s reliability enhances the authenticity of these references. Ancient manuscripts (including the Dead Sea Scrolls), the Septuagint, and the Masoretic Text show remarkable consistency in transmitting passages about Leviathan and Behemoth. Textual critics (with extensive studies by Dan Wallace and others) demonstrate that minute variations do not affect the integrity of substantive teachings. This reliable manuscript tradition testifies that references to these creatures have been part of the biblical text continuously, rather than being mythic side additions.

9. Conclusion: Affirming Reality and Meaning

The inclusion of Leviathan and Behemoth in Scripture should not be dismissed as myth. The biblical worldview affirms:

• Actual Creatures in God’s Creation: Whether extinct or still known in some form, they demonstrate the majestic scope of life God fashioned.

• The Sovereignty and Majesty of the Creator: Their formidable presence conveys that nothing is beyond the Almighty’s reign.

• Human Perspective Refined: Readers, like Job, gain renewed reverence for God, whose wisdom supersedes human comprehension.

• Scriptural Consistency: The Word of God stands united in revealing humanity’s humble place before the Creator, reinforcing the fullness of biblical doctrine from Genesis to Revelation.

Far from being purposeless “myths,” Leviathan and Behemoth stir the imagination and direct attention to the greatness of the One who rules over all, illustrating that every corner of creation—whether easily explainable by modern science or not—bears witness to an everlasting, omnipotent God.