LEVIATHAN: Real or Myth?

LEVIATHAN: The creature of the sea that is referred to several times in the bible for its strength, magnitude and as a formidable enemy.

We know for certain that it’s a beast of the sea, some believe it to be a sea serpent, sea monster, a great whale, multi headed sea beast and so on.

While some argue that it has gone extinct some believe it’s merely an illusion or a metaphor for strength and chaos and it is used to show or give us an idea of Gods strength and dominion over everything he created.

LEVIATHAN: Real or Myth?

The Hebrew word for leviathan has the root meaning of coiled or twisted.

Job had been questioning God and God turned the table and used leviathans might to emphasize jobs weakness and frailty. That if he created leviathan that job cannot stand before, then how great is the creator himself?

Leviathan was a dangerous creature that caused seasoned warriors to turn and run.

The few biblical reference to leviathan in the Old Testament described it as a real creature familiar to people by reputation.

In Psalm 104: 25-26 God is praised as the one who created the habitat for the leviathan:

“There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number – living things both large and small. there the ships go to and from, and leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.”

Job 41 gave the most details about Leviathan as an actual sea creature. In that chapter God describes Leviathan, emphasizing its size, strength, and viciousness.

The Leviathan cannot be tied down or tamed (Job 4: 1,5} It is frightening to even look at (verse 9], it is best left alone (verses 8,10}.

The leviathan has a grateful form (verse 12} but it is incredibly well protected with scales (verses 13,15-17). its chest is also as impenetrable as its back (verses 15,24}.

LEVIATHAN: Real or Myth?

It has fearsome teeth (verse 14} and death awaits anyone who approaches its mouth {verses 18,21].

Even mighty men are terrified of the leviathan (verse 25). No sword, spear, dart, javelin, arrow, stone, club, or lance can defeat it {verses 26,28,29].

It cannot be caged because it breaks iron like straw (verse 27. On land, the leviathan leaves a train of ruts and in the water, it produces a deep churning wake.

Gods’ description of the leviathan concludes with a statement that it is the true king of the beasts: “Nothing on earth is its equal – a creature without fear” (verse 33}

Leviathan was used as a symbol for the wicked kings of the earth who withstand Gods people.

The great power that wicked nations weld might be terrifying but God assures his children that evil, no matter how monstrous will be defeated.

Isiah 27:1 “In that day the LORD will punish with his swords and- his fierce and great powerful sword Leviathan the gliding serpent, leviathan the coiling serpent, and he will slay the monster of the sea.”

Psalm 74:14 contains a similar reference to Gods victory over leviathan, although in that psalm the pharaoh of Egypt was most likely meant.

However, based on recent research majority believe that Leviathan is a sea monster that is now extinct while very few are of the believe that it lives very deep in the marina trench and can only be roused by Gods command.

As a believer what’s your opinion of this animal?

Do you believe it’s already extinct like most people do? Or do you believe it’s just a myth that didn’t take place physically?

You think it’s probably hidden under the seas for reasons best known to God?

LEVIATHAN: Real or Myth?

Kindly drop your opinion in the comment session.