Biblical leviathan what. Serpent Leviathan, what is it?
Who is Leviathan?
Leviathan is a large aquatic creature. The Bible describes him as a fearsome beast, possessing monstrous ferocity and great strength. The root of the Hebrew word “leviathan” means “coiled” or “crowded.” The text in Isaiah 27:1 refers to leviathan as “the slithering serpent, Leviathan, the writhing serpent... the sea monster” (hereinafter translated by the Russian Bible Society). Whatever this sea monster was, its strength and wild nature were well known.
The Old Testament contains several references to leviathan. Most texts describe him as a real being, known to people(who, of course, kept their distance) by reputation, if not by actual confrontations. Psalm 104:25-26 glorifies God as the One who created a habitat for leviathan: “Behold, a vast, vast sea, and without number the creatures of the sea. There are animals big and small. There are ships floating there. Leviathan, Your creation, frolics there.” Only a great God could create a leviathan and then provide enough space to allow it to “frolic” safely.
Isaiah 27:1 uses leviathan as a symbol of the wicked kings of the earth who oppose God's people. The great power possessed by wicked nations may have been terrifying, but God assures His children that evil, no matter how monstrous it may seem, will be defeated: “In that day the Lord will punish Leviathan, the slithering serpent, with His terrible sword, great and strong, Leviathan, the writhing serpent, He will kill the sea monster!” Psalm 73:14 contains a similar reference to God's victory over leviathan. This passage most likely refers to the Egyptian pharaoh.
Chapters 40 and 41 of the book of Job provide the most detailed information about leviathan as an actual sea creature. Here God describes the leviathan, emphasizing the size, strength and viciousness of the animal. Leviathan cannot be tied or tamed (Job 40:20-24); he is terrible to look at (41:1); it is better to leave him alone (41:2-3). Leviathan has a graceful appearance (41:4), but is incredibly well protected by scales (41:5). His back cannot be pierced (41:7). It has a fearsome mouth (41:6). Even the brave fear leviathan (41:17). No sword, spear, javelin or arrow can defeat him (41:18). It cannot be bound because it breaks iron like straw (41:19). He harrows the earth with his belly, he makes the water boil and leaves a luminous trail (41:23-24). God's Description Leviathan is the assertion that he is the true king of beasts: “There is no creature like him on earth - a creature that knows no fear” (41:25).
So, what animal is described in the book of Job? Some researchers believe that leviathan is a crocodile. Others believe it is a whale or shark. Based on the biblical description, it seems most likely that the leviathan was a large marine reptile, possibly a type of dinosaur such as a plesiosaur. Job's introduction to dinosaurs is not far-fetched, considering that this book was written very early in history.
The meaning of the text from the book of Job is that leviathan is under God's control. Job doubted the Lord (Job 26-31), but He turns the question to him, using the power of leviathan to highlight Job's weakness and fragility. If God created Leviathan (an animal that Job could not resist), then how great is God? Why does Job even try to argue with the Almighty?
Leviathan was a dangerous creature that put experienced warriors to flight. He is not a myth, but a real sea creature that obeyed only his Creator. As God says in His description of Leviathan: “Whoever comes to meet me will pay. Everything under heaven is Mine!” (Job 41:3).
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A series
"Difficult Scriptures"
WHO AND WHAT IS LEVIATHAN?
In light of 2 Timothy 2:15
Perry Dimopoulos
Introduction
There are quite a large number of Christians asking questions regarding the essence of Leviathan, who he really is. In this article we will discuss those scriptures that mention leviathan.
Unfortunately, all fundamental believers have blindly disregarded this doctrinal teaching, including men such as Kent Howind (Scientific Creation Evangelism), who went to extremes to prove the existence of dinosaurs, but invalidated about 90 Bible verses that mention leviathan. All fundamentalists disagree among themselves, believing that the leviathan is either a crocodile, or a whale, or a hippopotamus, or a dinosaur.
Many believe that he is simply a sea monster that lives in the water columns of some part of the earth.
Let us take a closer look at Scripture, comparing Scripture with Scripture (1 Cor. 2:13), rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15), how it is rightly commanded to search the Scriptures, and how it is required of us to do so. God's commandment(John 5:39).
Leviathan is mentioned only 5 times in the pages of the Old Testament.
I. WHO IS LEVIATHAN AND WHERE IS HIS HABITAT?
The first mention of leviathan occurs in the book of Job 41:1 (BKI) / 40:20 (Syn.) “Can you pull out leviathan with a hook? Or his tongue with a rope that you throw?”
When interpreting Scripture, believers must make comparisons (1 Cor. 2:14) and note differences (2 Tim. 2:15). We will analyze the DIFFERENCE between a number of things in this study -
1. At first glance, you might think that this is just a large animal on earth. Notice that this chapter begins with the mention of Leviathan and ends with the following verse: “...He looks upon all things that are high: he is a king over all the sons of pride” (Job 41:34 BKI). It is impossible to imagine that any animal on this earth has ever been considered a “king” over humans. God said that man would have dominion over ALL living creatures.
PROOF -
Life 1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that moves on the earth.”
Life 1:28 “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
2. And since Leviathan is the "king" over all the sons of pride, this "king" is not some stupid little animal on earth, like a dinosaur, crocodile or whale, but is a person.
PROOF -
He is mentioned in Revelation 9:11 "And she had over her a king, who is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek his name is Apollyon."
Please note that he has Jewish and Greek name, as in Judas Iscariot (Judas - Greek transliteration) Iscariot ( Jewish name) (Acts 1:25). We are dealing with a supernatural being.
3. Not only that, Leviathan is a supernatural being as he has the GIFT OF SPEECH! "...Will he beg you a lot? Will he speak soft words to you?"? (verse 3 BKI).
PROOF -
He spoke his insinuating words spoken to Eve: “has God really said ...” to every liberal preacher and fundamentalist in order to convince them that leviathan is some stupid small animal. The reason for all this comes down to the fact that the leviathan seeks to “cover” its tracks. He doesn't want people to know who he is; so he lies to them and says insinuating words.
4. Leviathan is a supernatural creature.
It is clear that leviathan is a supernatural being, as is clear from Job 41:26-29 (JCV). Therefore, it is impossible to fight leviathan with carnal weapons (2 Cor. 10:4), since he is a spiritual creation. There is no other way to deal with this “BEAST” except with a two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12).
5. At the sight of the leviathan, any person would LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS if he saw him right now “would not a person be defeated at the sight of him?” (Article 9 BKI). There is no historical record of anyone fainting at the sight of a whale or dinosaur.
6. This dragon is located in the "depths", in the depths of the "sea" (v. 31), which in no way can speculatively be the Jordan or the Mediterranean Sea, nor the Pacific or Atlantic Ocean or any other body of water on this small planet.
PROOF -
The first mention of the word "depth" is in Gen. 1:2. In matters of biblical interpretation, there is what is called the principle of “First Mention.” According to this, when a word is mentioned for the first time in Scripture, its meaning continues throughout Scripture, in most cases with subsequent revelations added. Thus, in Genesis 1:2 there are several words mentioned for the first time: “without form,” “void,” and “darkness,” which are three NEGATIVE words throughout the subsequent Scripture. Also, for the first time in Scripture, the word (Gen1:2) “...over the SURFACE OF THE DEPTH” (BKI) appears in this place: “And the earth was formless and void, and DARKNESS WAS OVER THE SURFACE OF THE DEPTH, and the Spirit of God hovered over the SURFACE of the waters.”
There are only two places in the Bible that say "SURFACE OF THE DEPTH" in Genesis and Job 38:29-31. Job writes in such a way that there is absolutely no doubt about the location of the WATERS and the location of the DEPTH.
"From whose belly did the ice come? And the frost of heaven - who produces it?
THE WATERS are hidden like a stone, and the SURFACE OF THE DEPTH IS FROZEN.
Can you bind the sweet influences of the Pleiades, or loose the bonds of Orion?" (Job 38:29-31).
This “depth” is located above our heads, as opposed to the deepest depressions of the earth. Again, it is necessary to see how IMPORTANT it is to RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORD OF TRUTH (2 Tim. 2:15) in order to correctly interpret the Scriptures. It takes a lot of time and effort to study all the passages of Scripture regarding "depth" that most Christians are not capable of, although the Lord's COMMANDMENT is: "STUDY" (2 Tim. 2:15) and "STUDY THE Scriptures" (John 5:39).
Notice that we are talking about the "waters" (plural) that are above our heads, as Job says in chapter 26:5-13. The whole point is that verses 5-13 of the book describe the structure of the entire Universe. This is called biblical cosmology, which is the scientific (scientific in the biblical sense of the word) study of the structure of the Universe; its shape and the location of everything inside and outside it. Job 26:5 "Dead things are formed from under the waters, and their inhabitants." Job 26:8 “He binds the waters in thick clouds, and the cloud is not broken under them.”
Note that these waters are held in one place by "binding the waters" (BKI) into the clouds so that they do not rush down.
Job 26:10 "He has surrounded the waters with boundaries until day and night are ended."
Please note that all of these waters have their "limits". Notice also that one of the boundaries of these waters extends to the place where eternity begins: "until day and night are ended." This is the place from which ETERNITY begins. There is no distinction between night and day, as in our solar system. Upon reaching the border of these waters, ETERNITY begins.
Now notice something very important in the next three verses;
Job 26:11 “The pillars of heaven tremble and are amazed at his reproof.
With his strength he divides the sea and with his mind he destroys the proud.
With his spirit he adorned the heavens, his hand formed a crooked serpent" (BKI).
Notice that Job speaks of "HEAVEN" (BKI) being above you and not on the earth as stated in verse 11. Notice also that the "SEA" (BKI) is also mentioned in the context of HEAVEN. Then please notice in verse 13 that “HEAVEN” (BKI) is mentioned along with the “crooked serpent.”
Can anyone now believe that the “crooked serpent” is some kind of stupid reptile living in some body of water on earth? If that's not enough, look at what verse 7 says: "He stretches out the north over a void and hangs the earth on nothing."
"North" in this context is associated with the place where God is, "NORTH" is in the third heaven. It was there that Satan wanted to ascend -
Isa. 14:13, 14 “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: and I will sit on the mount of the congregation, in the ends of the NORTH:
I will rise above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High."
Heb. 12:22 "And ye have come to MOUNT ZION, and to the city of the living God,
heavenly Jerusalem, and to the countless assembly of angels."
Please note that the city of the living God is located on Mount Zion, i.e. it is located on "MOUNTAIN".
It is also clear that this Jerusalem is the “HEAVENLY” Jerusalem, where angels live, AND IS NOT AN EARTHLY JERUSALEM!!! Once again, you HAVE TO DIVIDE THE WORD OF TRUTH RIGHTLY. Consider this difference!!!
Notice in the following verses how God replaces the word "NORTH" with Himself, showing you from whom the exaltation comes, and also where He is.
Psalm 74:7b 8 “…For promotion comes not from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
But God is a judge: he lowers one and raises another.
Notice from which direction the Lord is coming at His Second Coming -
Ezek. 1:4 “And I saw, and behold, a stormy wind came FROM THE NORTH, a great cloud and swirling fire, and a brightness around it.”
Any sane Christian knows that we return with the Lord from heaven at the Second Coming. Heaven according to Scripture is located in the North.
Now we need to locate the "waters" which are called the "SEA" (Job 26:12). This sea is mentioned in Revelation 4:6 "...and before the throne was a SEA of glass, like crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four living creatures, full of eyes before and behind."
Rev. 15:2 "And before the throne there was a SEA of glass, like
crystal; and in the midst of the throne and around the throne were four
animals full of eyes in front and behind."
The sea of glass represents the floors of the third heaven (Rev. 15:2), as well as the upper surface of the “DEPTH”. The throne of God is located behind the “north” star (Isa. 14:13; Ezek. 1:4). And God’s throne is located on the surface of the great “DEPTH” or the Universe (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:7-13; 37:9, 10; Isa. 57:15).
Job 38:29, 30 ""From whose belly did ice come? And the frost of heaven - who produces it?
THE WATERS are hidden like a stone, and the SURFACE OF THE DEPTH IS FROZEN.”
Job 41:31, 32 “He boils the deep like a cauldron, and likens the sea to a pot of ointment.
Makes the path glow behind itself, a person would consider the depth gray."
In fact, the “crystal sea” is the water located above our heads, which has frozen above. Directly below this icy surface lives a leviathan. The Bible calls this body of water "THE DEPTH."
II. WHAT DOES HE LOOK LIKE
Ps. 74:13, 14 “You divided the sea with your power, you crushed the heads of the dragons in the waters.
You smashed the heads of the leviathan into pieces and gave him as food to the people inhabiting the desert" (BKI).
1. Notice that leviathan has more than one head, it is written: “heads”.
2. To determine how many heads leviathan has, let's
Let's look at Revelation 12:3 "And another miracle appeared in heaven, and behold,
a great red dragon with SEVEN HEADS and ten horns, and on
on his heads are seven crowns."
This big red dragon is a leviathan. He is a seven-headed supernatural monster, the sight of which would immediately make you fall unconscious. It wouldn't take any effort for Leviathan to make the strongest man on earth faint from fear.
3. He has a tail like the tail of a hippopotamus, as it is written:
Job 40:15 “Look at the hippopotamus that I made with you: he eats grass like an ox.” (BKI)
Chapter 41 of the book of Job is simply a continuation of the previous chapter. The Behemoth and the Leviathan are the same supernatural creature.
"Behemoth" is God's own scientific description of the beast of Revelation 13 and Daniel 7 - i.e. Antichrist; and no additional knowledge of the "original languages" will enable any other scholar (liberal, orthodox, or fundamental) to find any reference in nineteen centuries of research from any manuscript, if that scholar has established his own authority as competent ("qualified") judge of God's word. And if all the members of the faculty of every Christian college and university in America and Europe had the "original inspired manuscripts" before them, they could not discover the "behemoth" in them, any more than they could discover the source of their blindness and confusion.
The Hebrew word used here is a feminine plural, derived from the word bahima, which means "beasts" or "cattle." "Hippopotamus" represents a PLURAL animal: "animals". Like those three ANIMALS that make up this “animal” (in singular), given in the book of the prophet Daniel, chapter 7 and in Revelation, chapter 13. Although there is no need for us to go back to any Hebrew text to prove our point, since Scripture itself explains itself by revealing the many-parted beast. But where any Hebrew or Greek interpretation CONSENTS with the Authorized King James Version of the Bible, then this argument can be used simply to provide stronger evidence to support the truth already given in the Scriptures of the Holy Bible. Where any Hebrew or Greek text DOES NOT agree with the Authorized King James Version of the Bible, we simply ignore the discrepancy.
God compared His Son to a LAMB; He compares the counterfeit imitating God's Son to a LEOPARD, but it is a three-part leopard, which consists of a LION-BEAR-LEOPARD (a multi-part beast) with seven heads (Rev. 13:2); which is called "BEHEMOTH" in the English King James Version. God likened His Son to a Worm (Ps. 23:6), a Serpent (John 3:14), a Lion (Rev. 5:5), and a Lamb (1 Pet. 1:19). Why then cannot the Son of Perdition be compared with the Lion, the Bear and the Leopard?
Regarding the hippopotamus -
Job 40:17 / v. 12 (Syn.) "He moves his tail like a cedar,
the tendons of his testicles are wrapped together.”
Now notice the connection between the hippopotamus and the great red dragon -
Rev. 12:4 "And his tail drew a third part of the stars of heaven and threw them
to the ground. And this dragon stood in front of the woman who was ready
give birth in order to devour the baby as soon as it is born."
The word "dragon" appears thirteen times in the book of Revelation. The red dragon is not only a subject of Greek and Chinese mythology. The Red Dragon is in the abyss. It represents a seven-headed monster and is a valid description of Satan.
III. LEVIATHAN IS ALSO A COMMON SEA ANIMALS.
Ps. 104:26 /103 (Sin.) “...There are ships sailing there, there is this leviathan, whom you created to play in it.”
1. In heaven there is always a representation of everything earthly. But this is not to be confused with the seven-headed supernatural serpent of Revelation 12:3.
2. Let's be clear now:
1.) There are many gods, but there is only one true God, the God of the Bible, who created the heavens and the earth.
2.) There are many devils, however there is one devil.
3.) There are many angels, but there is only one Angel of the Lord.
4.) There are many sons of "God", but there is only One God's Son, Lord Jesus Christ.
5.) There are many bibles, but there is only one true Bible.
6.) There are many baptisms, but there is only one baptism that truly saves a person.
7.) There are many dragons, but there is one red dragon who is in the depths of the abyss, his name is Satan.
8.) There are many serpents (Num. 21:6) on this earth, which, of course, should not be confused with the one ancient serpent of Genesis 3 that deceived Eve.
9.) Leviathan eats in the waters on this earth, which has only one head, but there is also a supernatural LEVIATHAN, which has seven heads. He is a red dragon. This is Satan!
IV. WHAT NAMES WERE GIVEN TO HIM?
Isa. 27:1 "In that day the Lord will smite with his heavy sword, and great and strong, Leviathan, the piercing serpent, even Leviathan, that crooked serpent; and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea."
1. This is the last place where leviathan is mentioned in the Bible.
Why would God suddenly become concerned about any animal, be it a whale, a dinosaur, an alligator or a hippopotamus? Why would the Lord suddenly use His heavy, big and strong sword as punishment for leviathan, if he is any animal on this earth???
Ignorant fundamentalists such as Henry Morris and Kent Hovind have gone to extremes to prove the existence of dinosaurs on earth by denying some 90 Scripture references that purport to descriptively expose the essence of Satan. Their eyes are closed simply because they rejected the global flood in Genesis 1:2. Again, in the second verse of the entire Bible we are presented with the "SURFACE OF THE DEPTH" (Gen. 1:2), which is also called the "SEA" (Isa. 27:1). They have lost that connection.
Please note different names leviathan:
1.) "...a piercing snake..."
2.) "...a crooked snake..."
3.) "...the dragon that is in the SEA."
A. The piercing serpent is the “serpent” from the book of Genesis 3, which deceived Eve and appeared in the form of an angel of light;
B. Another place in the entire Bible where you will read about the “crooked serpent” is located in Job 26:13. Therefore, Isaiah 27:1 represents the “key of knowledge” (Luke 11:52) that unlocks revelation of extraordinary depth without the aid of any Greek or Hebrew text. This is why so many bibles (in any language) have twisted the word of God (2 Cor. 2:17) in Isaiah 27:1 to prevent you from receiving this revelation from God and from reaching the understanding of Leviathan;
S. Rev. 12:3 “And another miracle appeared in heaven, and behold, a great RED DRAGON, WITH SEVEN HEADS and ten horns, and on his heads were seven crowns.”
Leviathan (from Hebrew - “an animal covered with wrinkles”) is an Old Testament sea monster. In the Book of Job (Job 40:20-41:26) there is a detailed description of it:
“There is no one so brave who would dare to disturb him... the circle of his teeth is horror... At dawn, when Leviathan’s head appears above the surface of the water, his eyes sparkle like the rays of dawn. The scutes on his back fit tightly to each other. These bone plates embedded in the skin are difficult to penetrate even with a bullet, let alone a sword or spear. His breath heats the coals, flames come out of his mouth; the sharp scutes on its belly leave a mark in the mud, like a threshing tool. In his rage, he foams the water like boiling ointment. Leviathan knows no fear - he is created huge, protected by strong armor, armed with a terrifying mouth and a powerful tail...” (41, 2-26)
Under what circumstances does Leviathan appear in the Book of Job?
Righteous Job“he was blameless, just and God-fearing and shunned evil,” and in his wealth “he was more famous than all the sons of the East.” He had a happy family: seven sons and three daughters. Satan began to assert that Job was righteous only thanks to his earthly prosperity, with the loss of which all his piety would disappear. He deprived Job of all his wealth, all his children died, and when this did not shake the righteous man, then Lucifer struck the body of a Christian with terrible leprosy.
Killing Leviathan. Engraving. Gustave Doré, 1865. Photo: Public Domain
Job's wife and those around him began to say that his troubles were evidence of God's wrath. Like, this is the only way to explain the nature of all these misfortunes. Job was also tormented by the question of what sins were sent to him for all these trials, but he did not renounce his faith. Then God conveyed to Job that “the ways of the Lord are mysterious,” and as one of the proofs of man’s incomprehensibility of the divine essence, he showed him the Leviathan he created - a seven-headed dragon with horns, huge eyes and a tail like a hippopotamus. For his humility and repentance, God subsequently rewarded the righteous man: he was healed of his illness, became even richer, and again became the father of seven sons and three daughters.
What is Zvyagintsev’s film “Leviathan” about and why is it called that way?
Film "Leviathan" Andrey Zvyagintsev so named for two reasons:
The director transfers biblical story V modern Russia. The main character of the film Nikolai ( Alexey Serebryakov) is the righteous Job of our time, he leads a quiet life in a small town near the Barents Sea. When the mayor is corrupt ( Roman Madyanov) is trying to confiscate almost all of Nikolai's property, the main character asks for help from an old friend in the army, now a respected lawyer Dmitry ( Vladimir Vdovichenkov).
The film uses the biblical image of Leviathan as a metaphor, suggested by Thomas Hobbes, who compared the state machine to a monster, since both, in his opinion, degrade human nature and destroy freedom.
Andrey Zvyagintsev. Photo: www.globallookpress.com
Zvyagintsev himself, in an interview with RFI, explains the choice of title for the film as follows:
"For me and for my co-author Oleg Negin— when the scenario was formed, when it turned into the material that you just saw on the screen - Leviathan has two references. The first is the Book of Job and the final scene of this plot, the conversation of the Lord God with Job, when he invites him to look at Leviathan and describes to him what it is. And the second reference is to Thomas Hobbes, to his philosophical treatise, which is called "Leviathan". This is a treatise on the state, that is, the state for Hobbes is Leviathan, the state, its power, secular power and ecclesiastical power. These allusions, references - whatever you call it - were the main thing for us in this project. And then, of course, each viewer will see his own thing and be completely free in his own interpretation,” summed up Zvyagintsev.
* Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) - English materialist philosopher, one of the founders of the theory of the social contract and the theory of state sovereignty.
Leviathan is a character in the mythology of the ancient eastern people who lived in the city of Ugarit in the territory of modern Syria. The ancients classified the creature as a sea monster. According to myths, Leviathan has many heads and is the companion of the sea god Yama. Legend has it that Baal defeated the many-headed Leviathan along with the sea god.
In addition to the ancient Syrian people, the Egyptian Jews also considered Leviathan a monster and feared him. According to stories, Leviathan lived in the Nile and protected Egypt from evil creatures from the eastern border. Many compare him to a crocodile.
In other mythologies, Leviathan was also considered a sea monster that destroys and sinks ships.
The use of images of frightening monsters in art as a metaphor is commonplace, and the image of Leviathan was no exception. Leviathan as a character ancient mythology found reflection in modern art and even in scientific works. In 2014, a Russian-made film was released, which describes the biblical character Job. The film was called "Leviathan". There is a metaphor in the film - Leviathan meant state power, whose power and strength are comparable to destructive force sea monster. The picture serves as a lesson for people. The director did not try to scare the audience, but only wanted to make them think.
In 1865, the artist Gustave Doré depicted Leviathan in an engraving. It's called "Killing Leviathan." The engraving depicts a huge sea serpent that was defeated by God.
The most famous reference to the monster in art is by Thomas Hobbes. It was he who wrote the famous work “Leviathan”. In this work, the author tried to understand the structure of law and the state. Hobbes's work is philosophical in nature and is relevant to this day.
Leviathan as a mythical creature was mentioned more than once in the books of the Old Testament:
There is a passage in the book of Job that describes the fight against Leviathan. Compared to other books in which this character is mentioned, the book of Job provides the most detailed description.
In the book of Psalms, Leviathan is described as a creature that lives in the sea. It was created by God to “play in the sea water.”
In the book of the prophet Isaiah you can find a story about how God himself struck down a monster with a heavy sword.
In the interpretive literature of the Old Testament tradition, Leviathan is mentioned in a separate verse of the midrash “Bereshit Rabba”. Rabbi Eady describes the monster as a being without a mate. Based on his description, we can conclude that in all mentions of Leviathan he is classified as a one-of-a-kind mythical creature. The reason for the absence of a couple is that the monster has destructive power towards other creatures and the continuation of its lineage can lead to the death of all living things. At the same time, God initially created Leviathan, female and male. But the female individual was subsequently destroyed in order to prevent reproduction. There are also interpretations in which there is no mention of the destruction of the female. But for certain reasons, reproduction was still impossible.
Midrash "Vayikra Rabba" in one of the interpretations mentions that Leviathan fought with a bull, and this battle ended in the death of both opponents.
Bava Batra's treatise stated that it was not God who defeated Leviathan, but the Archangel Gabriel. After the archangel killed the monster, a feast was held in a tent made from the creature's skin. The meat of Leviathan was served at the feast.
What exactly the word “leviathan” means can be found in Ozhegov’s explanatory dictionary. In it, Leviathan is described as a biblical sea monster, and the word itself is applicable as a metaphor for something or someone of enormous size, striking in its power, strength and instilling fear.
According to this interpretation, one of the species of ancient sperm whales was also given the name Leviathan. The skeleton of such a creature was found in one of the Peruvian deserts. It had an impressive size, long powerful teeth, which is why it got its name.
Those who are interested in learning more about what Leviathan is and what this word actually means should read the Old Testament and become familiar with Egyptian and Assyro-Babylonian mythology. Almost everywhere, Leviathan is described as a formidable sea monster that brings destruction and terror to people. But still, studying mythology different nations, you can find some differences in its description, which helps to better understand why the imagination of ancient people created this monster, and, consequently, the peculiarities of their thinking.
Leviathan is a huge water monster that is mentioned in the biblical books: Job, Isaiah, the Psalter and some traditional Jewish prayers.
From a Christian point of view, this creature is closely associated with something diabolical or demonic. In biblical interpretations, leviathan is the embodiment of chaos and destruction, and is often contrasted with the act of creation.
What does leviathan look like?
There is no exact and unambiguous description of this creature. In some paintings he is depicted as a huge water dragon, sometimes with several heads. Many adhere to the version that its prototype was the crocodiles that lived on the banks of the Nile. Job described the beast as a fire-breathing dragon. Most likely, all these dragon-like images are inspired by more ancient legends and myths.
In modern Hebrew, the word "leviathan" is literally translated as "whale." This suggests that the true reason for the appearance of this mythical creature, was the meeting of a person with this huge marine mammal. Then this situation became overgrown with exaggerated details and inventions, and this is how the image of a terrible monster emerged.
In modern popular culture, leviathans have entered under in different forms. They are found in the form of flying cetacean creatures, like a type of dragon, or in a completely free form.
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