In biblical literature, the term "dragon" is often used symbolically to represent chaos, evil, and opposition to God. The imagery of the dragon is deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern mythology, where it frequently symbolizes a formidable adversary or a chaotic force. In the Bible, dragons are typically depicted as serpentine creatures, sometimes associated with the wilderness or desolate places.

Old Testament References

The Hebrew word "tannin" is often translated as "dragon" or "serpent" in the Old Testament. In Exodus 7:9-12, the term is used to describe the transformation of Aaron's staff into a serpent before Pharaoh, demonstrating God's power over the Egyptian magicians. The Berean Standard Bible translates this passage as follows: "When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Perform a miracle,’ then you are to say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a serpent."

In the poetic and prophetic books, dragons are frequently associated with desolation and judgment. Isaiah 34:13 speaks of the desolation of Edom, stating, "Thorns will overgrow her citadels, nettles and brambles her fortresses. She will become a haunt for jackals, a dwelling for ostriches." The imagery of desolation is often linked with dragons, as seen in Isaiah 35:7 : "The parched ground will become a pool, the thirsty land springs of water. In the haunt of jackals, their resting place, grass will become reeds and rushes."

Leviathan and Rahab

The dragon imagery is closely related to the figures of Leviathan and Rahab, mythical sea monsters representing chaos and opposition to God. In Job 41, Leviathan is described in detail as a powerful and untamable creature, symbolizing the might and mystery of God's creation. Psalm 74:13-14 recounts God's victory over the sea monsters: "You divided the sea by Your strength; You smashed the heads of the dragons of the sea; You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert."

Rahab, another symbol of chaos, is mentioned in Isaiah 51:9 : "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Awake, as in days gone by, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced the dragon through?" Here, the dragon represents the forces of chaos that God has subdued.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the dragon is most prominently featured in the Book of Revelation, where it symbolizes Satan and his opposition to God's kingdom. Revelation 12:3-4 describes a great red dragon: "Then another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads. His tail swept a third of the stars from the sky, tossing them to the earth."

The dragon's role as an adversary is further emphasized in Revelation 12:9 : "And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him." This passage explicitly identifies the dragon with Satan, highlighting its role as the ultimate enemy of God and His people.

Symbolism and Interpretation

Throughout the Bible, the dragon serves as a powerful symbol of evil, chaos, and opposition to divine order. Its association with the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) and its identification with Satan in Revelation underscore its role as a representation of sin and rebellion against God. The dragon's presence in desolate places and its connection to mythical sea monsters like Leviathan and Rahab further emphasize its symbolic function as a force of disorder and destruction.

In summary, the biblical depiction of dragons as serpents or creatures of the desert serves to illustrate the ongoing struggle between good and evil, order and chaos, and ultimately, God's sovereignty over all creation.Psalm 91:13
You shall tread on the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shall you trample under feet.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 34:13
And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls.
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Jeremiah 9:11
And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.
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Jeremiah 51:37
And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwelling place for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant.
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Malachi 1:3
And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
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The Woman and Dragon.
... And the woman fled into the desert, where she hath a place there prepared of God,
that they should feed her there one ... The dragon is a monster serpent. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the woman and dragon.htm

Psalm LXXIV.
... [3347] A serpent was lifted up in the desert, in order that it might cure ... For those
dragons have their chief, and he is himself the first great dragon. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxiv.htm

The Flight of the Woman.
... the woman, that she might fly into the desert, into her ... And the serpent cast out
of his mouth water like ... and swallowed up the river, which the dragon cast out ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the flight of the woman.htm

About the Dragon and the Young Man.
... And the dragon: There is a certain woman in this ... I am the offspring of the race of
the serpent, and hurtful ... caused the multitude to err in the desert when they ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thomas/about the dragon and the.htm

On the Mission of the Seventy Disciples, and Christ's Charge to ...
... as He had accumulated [4425] them when exposed to the scantiness of the desert. ... whose
very prince is described [4457] by the name of serpent, dragon, and every ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xxiv on the mission of.htm

Aron, Brother of Moses, 486, 487.
... Consolation, in the desert of this world, [225]260; in hope, [226]604 ... tempter,
[279]299; false accuser, [280]328; lion and dragon, [281]457; serpent, [282]517 ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/aron brother of moses 486.htm

The Mystery
... the Roman empire, possessed by the ancient serpent, that is ... the apocalyptical
sense,""I renounce the dragon, and all ... adhere to him, and do not desert him on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery 2.htm

The Acts of Philip.
... The dragon breathing has breathed upon you, and blinded you in ... because they have
told you that the serpent is your ... upon the wild beasts of the desert, and they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the acts of philip/the acts of philip.htm

Exhortation to Abandon the Impious Mysteries of Idolatry for the ...
... they were singing not to that dead dragon, but to ... This wicked tyrant and serpent,
accordingly, binding fast with ... and wonders in Egypt and the desert, both by ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter i exhortation to abandon the.htm

Jesus in the Garden of Olives.
... They were wandering homeless in the desert in the midst of the sand blown about
by ... sometimes under those of a tiger, a fox, a wolf, a dragon, or a serpent. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter i jesus in the.htm

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