The Description of Leviathan in Job: A Closer Look

In the Book of Job, God uses two massive creatures to implore his servant to acknowledge his power and greatness: Leviathan and Behemoth. While both are described as formidable, the description of Leviathan is often noted for its length. But, is there a deeper reason for this difference in detail? Let's delve into the contextual and symbolic meanings behind these creatures.

Behemoth: The Hippopotamus

The first of these creatures is Behemoth, often identified as the hippopotamus. In the Bible, God refers to Behemoth in the Book of Job, Chapter 40, verse 15-24:

Job 40:15-24: Behold, he [God] said to me, ‘Behold now, Behemoth, which I made as well as you. He eats grass like an ox. His strength is in his loins, and his power in the muscles of his belly. He makes the rivers to boil, and the water-pourings of the rivers tremble. The mighty word of God he utters; and the rhetoricians are a tumult. The rivers ungird them, the waters of rumor make them flee; theurgeon of the distressed ones causes them to pant. The waters form a furrow around him; the raging river does not make him shudder. At the height of the river, he licks up the earth, and no plant of the fields is shown because of him.

A full-grown hippopotamus may be from 12 to 15 feet long (3.6 to 4.5 meters) and can weigh up to 8,000 pounds (3,600 kg). Their thick skin is a real advantage, especially for short-legged behemoths as they drag their bodies over riverbeds. Although Behemoth is described as a powerful and seemingly invincible beast, the passage emphasizes the animal's immense physical strength and the way it dominates its environment.

Leviathan: The Enigmatic Creature

Leviathan, on the other hand, is a more enigmatic and mysterious creature. The description of Leviathan in the Book of Job is significantly longer and more elaborate:

Job 41:1-34: Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook or press down his tongue with a cord? Can you put a reed through his nose or pierce his jaw with a hook? Will he make many pleas to you? Will he speak to you with handsome words? Will he make a covenant with you? Will you take him as a servant for life? Will you play with him as with a bird, or put him on a leash for your girls? Will the traders bargain over him or cut him up for the merchants? Can you fill his hide with harpoons or his head with fishing spears? If you lay a hand on him, you will remember the struggle; and will not leave off! Even at the thought of him, a man is terrified; and no one is bold enough to provoke him. When he raises himself up, the mighty are awestruck; and terror grips him. The lash of his tail/paledios. And his heavy flails strike terror. His underside is hedged about with jagged shrubs, and class"invisible">spansharpened cf@*ace and the fang @***this@***$sthe from within. His sneezes flash forth light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of dawn. Out of his mouth go burning torches, sparks of fire leap from him. Smoke goes from his nostrils, as from a boiling pot over a fire of reeds. His breath sets coals ablaze, and flames go out from his mouth. Indeed, strength resides in him, he is one in which has the breath of God. The scales of his flesh are tightly joined; they are joined one to the other, to move them away. When he rises up, the mighty are terrified; they proliferate and stand still.Iyyah,

The description of Leviathan is full of vivid imagery, portraying a creature of immense power and majesty. It is described as a formidable aquatic monster capable of terrorizing even the mighty, with scales that can resist any kind of weapon. The passage emphasizes the creature's indomitable nature and the awe that it inspires.

Why the Difference in Description?

While some might argue that the difference in description is simply due to the ease of comparing a hippopotamus to other animals, others might see it as a symbolic representation of the powers of nature. The description of Leviathan and Behemoth is aimed at showcasing God's power and the insignificance of humans by comparison. Both creatures, while impressive, serve as an object lesson in the grandeur of divine might.

The description of Leviathan, in particular, seeks to portray a creature that is unchallengable, embodying the idea that some things are beyond human comprehension and control. The sheer power and mystery surrounding Leviathan make it a more formidable and majestic symbol of divine power.

Conclusion

While both Leviathan and Behemoth are described as formidable creatures in the Book of Job, the longer and more detailed description of Leviathan can be attributed to its symbolic representation of divine power. Both creatures serve to illustrate the sovereignty of God and the limitations of human understanding and strength.

The designation of Behemoth has been variously interpreted as originating from an Egyptian word for “water ox,” an Assyrian word meaning “monster,” or an intensified plural of the Hebrew word for “beast.” Both names, however, reflect the power and majesty of these creatures. The study of these biblical beasts not only offers insight into the literary techniques of ancient authors but also provides a profound exploration of theological themes.