Topical Bible: Beasts: Unclean: Behemoth

◄ Beasts: Unclean: Behemoth ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The term "Behemoth" appears in the Bible primarily in the Book of Job, where it is described as a powerful and awe-inspiring creature. The Behemoth is often associated with the concept of unclean beasts, as it is a part of the broader category of animals that are not considered clean according to the dietary laws given to the Israelites.

Biblical Description:

The most detailed description of Behemoth is found in Job 40:15-24. In this passage, God speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, highlighting the majesty and strength of His creation. The Behemoth is depicted as a creature of immense power and size, living in the river and feeding on grass like an ox. The passage reads:

"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. His tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit. His bones are tubes of bronze; his limbs are rods of iron. He ranks first among the works of God, yet his Maker can approach him with His sword." (Job 40:15-19)

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In the context of the Book of Job, Behemoth serves as a symbol of God's creative power and the limitations of human understanding. The creature's formidable nature and the fact that only its Maker can approach it with a sword underscore the theme of divine sovereignty and the futility of questioning God's wisdom.

The Behemoth is often interpreted as a real animal known to the ancient world, possibly a hippopotamus or an elephant, due to its description as a large, grass-eating creature with strong limbs and a powerful tail. However, some scholars and theologians suggest that Behemoth may be a mythical creature, representing chaos and untamed nature, which God alone can control.

Unclean Status:

In the context of biblical dietary laws, the Behemoth would be considered unclean. Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 outline the animals that are permissible for consumption by the Israelites, and large, land-dwelling creatures like the Behemoth do not fit the criteria for clean animals. The emphasis on Behemoth's strength and untamed nature further aligns it with the category of unclean beasts, which are often associated with wildness and unpredictability.

Theological Significance:

The mention of Behemoth in the Bible serves to remind believers of the grandeur and mystery of God's creation. It challenges human pride and encourages humility before the Creator, who governs all things with wisdom and power. The Behemoth, as an unclean beast, also highlights the distinction between the holy and the profane, a recurring theme in the biblical narrative that underscores the call to holiness and obedience to God's commandments.

In summary, Behemoth is a testament to the might and majesty of God's handiwork, illustrating the vastness of His creation and the limitations of human comprehension. Its portrayal as an unclean beast serves as a reminder of the divine order and the call to recognize God's authority over all creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 40:15
Behold now behemoth, which I made with you; he eats grass as an ox.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Apocalypse of Baruch.
... Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? ... Then the wild beasts shall come forth
from the forests ... xxix.: "Behemoth shall be brought to light from his place ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the apocalypse of baruch.htm

The Voice of Job.
... and instincts; the strange and awful beasts excelling the ... has called to witness for
him behemoth and leviathan ... could make us feel small and ugly and unclean! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the voice of job.htm

Letter cxxx. To Demetrias.
... In Job it is written of behemoth that "his ... of Christian parents, others among wild
beasts and savage ... fellows, they may become exposed to unclean and godless ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxx to demetrias.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... this prison, where I had no companions but scorpions and wild beasts, I often ... me."
[472] It agrees, also, with this interpretation that the unclean animals are ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... by sacrifices,"whether the fruits of the earth, or slaughtered beasts, or the ... Look,
vain man, at my works; consider the war-horse, the behemoth, the leviathan ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm