What are the Behemoth and Leviathan?
Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you
and which feeds on grass like an ox.
Job 40:15
Can you pull in Leviathan with a fishhook
or tie down its tongue with a rope?
Job 41:1
Half of Job Chapter 40 and all of Job Chapter 41 were dedicated to describing the Behemoth and Leviathan. Just what manner of creatures were they? Let’s look at clues from these and other passages.
This passage in Job is the only mention of Behemoth in the Bible. We read that it was an herbivore, really strong, had a big tail, and could be found on both land and in water. In verse 19, Job stated that this animal was “first among the works of God”. So it is easy to conclude that the Behemoth was striking to look at.
Now let’s look at Leviathan, which was exclusively a sea creature. Its description is much more terrifying than the Behemoth. With fierce teeth and an armored back, it was not to be trifled with. The Leviathan is also mentioned in Psalm 74:14 and 104:26, and Isaiah 27:1. This last verse describes it as a “gliding serpent”. In both this verse and the latter half of Job 41, it would seem the description is figurative and not really about the creature itself.
You might be surprised to know that the word “unicorn” is also found several times in the King James Version. Why not research this yourself sometime and find out why. Now, let’s get back to the creatures of this study.
Most modern-day research suggests that Behemoth was an elephant or hippopotamus. The Leviathan is speculated to be a crocodile. I doubt either is correct, but this is just an attempt to pick a similar and familiar creature from our day. Who is to say these weren’t creatures that became extinct long before our time? Perhaps they were land and water dwelling descendants of dinosaurs.
Regardless of what these two creatures were – literal, exaggerated, or mythological – it seems that the references to and descriptions of both animals were to demonstrate that God created them, and He alone could subdue them. After all, Genesis 1 told us that He made the water creatures on the fifth day, and land creatures on the sixth day. They belong to Him.
This is the reason that God our Creator is worthy of worship:
You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host,
the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them.
You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.
Nehemiah 9:6
