Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms 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"): 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. ... /hebrew/3882.htm - 6k Library Antichrist in Isaiah In this Diagram were Described Ten Circles, Distinct from Each ... The Antichrist Will be the Son of Satan The Binding of Satan. Since it Has Been Proved that the Son is True God... How Sowers of Strifes and Peacemakers are to be Admonished. The Two Talents The Mission of the Son of Man Death. One of Paul's Prayers 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. ... /l/leviathan.htm - 10k Nightmonster Night-monster Levi'athan (2 Occurrences) Gliding (4 Occurrences) Monster (10 Occurrences) Coiling (1 Occurrence) Zoology Punish (84 Occurrences) Fleeing (38 Occurrences) Resources What was the leviathan? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a leviathan spirit? | GotQuestions.org Are any mythological creatures mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Leviathan: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Leviathan (5 Occurrences)Job 3:8 Job 41:1 Psalms 74:14 Psalms 104:26 Isaiah 27:1 Subtopics Leviathan: "The Crooked (Rv) Serpent" Leviathan: God's Power, Exhibited in Destroying Leviathan: Nature and Habits of Leviathan: Possibly a Crocodile Leviathan: Power and Severity of God Leviathan: Powerful and Cruel Kings Related Terms |