Home > Appendixes to VKICG > What is Leviathan?

The Controversy

What is leviathan? Is it an animal, a sea monster, or something more sinister?

The identification of what leviathan is has eluded many theologians for thousands of years.  Some believe it refers to an alligator, a crocodile, or another creature, such as an extinct dinosaur.  But if God mentioned this to Job, would not the creature be around for Job to relate?  What was the purpose of God telling Job to consider the Leviathan? How does this incident with Job relate to us?

Leviathan in the Bible

The Hebrew word translated as leviathan is:

H3882

Original: לויתן

Transliteration: livyâthân

Phonetic: liv-yaw-thawn'

BDB Definition:

  1. leviathan, sea monster, dragon

    a. large aquatic animal

    b. perhaps the extinct dinosaur, plesiosaurus, exact meaning unknown

Origin: from H3867

TWOT entry: 1089b

Part(s) of speech: Noun Masculine

Strong's Definition: From H3867; a wreathed animal, that is, a serpent (especially the crocodile or some other large sea monster); figuratively the constellation of the dragon; also as a symbol of Babylon: - leviathan, mourning.

-- A Faithful Version

Where The Faithful Version (AFV) translates the Scriptures as leviathan:

Job 3:8 - AFV

8.   Let those curse it who curse the day, who are ready to stir up Leviathan^H3882.

Job 41:1 - AFV

1.   "Can you draw out the leviathan^H3882 with a hook, or hold down his tongue with a cord?

Psalms 74:14 - AFV

14.   You crushed the heads of leviathan^H3882 in pieces, and gave him to be food to the people living in the wilderness.

Psalms 104:26 - AFV

26.   There the ships go and the leviathan^H3882, which You have made to play in it.

Where the King James Version (KJV) translates the Scriptures as leviathan:

Job 41:1 - KJV

1.   Canst thou draw out leviathan^H3882 with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?

Psalms 74:14 - KJV

14.   Thou brakest the heads of leviathan^H3882 in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.

Psalms 104:26 - KJV

26.   There go the ships: there is that leviathan^H3882, whom thou hast made to play therein.

Isaiah 27:1 - KJV

1.   In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan^H3882 the piercing serpent, even leviathan^H3882 that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.

Between the AFV and KJV translations, here are the differences between the two verses that do not overlap in the word translation of H3882:

Job 3:8 - AFV

8.   Let those curse it who curse the day, who are ready to stir up Leviathan^H3882.

Job 3:8 - KJV

8.   Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning^H3882.

Isaiah 27:1 - AFV

1.   In that day the LORD with His great and fierce and strong sword shall punish the sea monster^H3882, the darting serpent, the sea monster^H3882, that twisting serpent; and He shall kill the monster in the sea.

Isaiah 27:1 - KJV

1.   In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan^H3882 the piercing serpent, even leviathan^H3882 that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.

(Psalms 74:14 and 104:26 are talking of God's creatures in the sea, animals as it were. We will return to Psalms 74:14 further on in the study.)

Thoughts on What Leviathan is

The understanding of leviathan has perplexed theologians and laymen for centuries, wondering what this creature could be.

Some think of leviathan as:

1. A crocodile or alligator.

"Job’s Weakness when Compared with the Strength of the Crocodile
v.1. Canst thou draw out leviathan, the great and fierce crocodile of Egypt and other Mediterranean countries..."

-- Dr. Kretzmann's Popular Commentary [Paul Kretzmann]

"Job 41:1-34
THE PARABLE OF THE CROCODILE
The last paragraph described the hippopotamus; the whole of this chapter is devoted to the crocodile."

-- Through the Bible Day by Day [F.B. Meyer]

"leviathan: probably the crocodile."

-- The Companion Bible [E. W. Bullinger]

"Job 41:1
A species of whale has been supposed to be the creature in question; but the description suits no animal but the crocodile or alligator; and it is not necessary to seek elsewhere."

-- Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible [Adam Clarke]

"Job 41:1 Leviathan may be a crocodile, though some see it as a mythical creature representing forces overcome by God in creation (compare 3:8). Whatever powerful creature is in view, it is a part of God’s creation and is governed by his power (see note on Ps. 74:14)."
(https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv-study-bible/notes/job/chapter-41?a=477001)

-- ESV Global Study Bible: Footnotes for Job 41

2. A generalization of animals:

"Job 41:1
leviathan — literally, "the twisted animal," gathering itself in folds: a synonym to the Thannin (Job_3:8, Margin; see Psa_74:14; type of the Egyptian tyrant; Psa_104:26; Isa_27:1; the Babylon tyrant). A poetical generalization for all cetacean, serpentine, and saurian monsters (see on Job_40:15, hence all the description applies to no one animal); especially the crocodile; which is naturally described after the river horse, as both are found in the Nile."

-- Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary [Jamieson-Fausset-Brown]

3. Something debatable:

"Job 41:1-34
The description of the Leviathan, is yet further to convince Job of his own weakness, and of God's almighty power. Whether this Leviathan be a whale or a crocodile, is disputed."

-- Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

If Leviathan is referring to an animal created by God, it is definitely bigger and more potent than a crocodile or an alligator; even more powerful than any large sea creature we know of today. What God describes in Job 41 of Leviathan cannot be a crocodile or alligator.

The Book of Job

When we read the book of Job from the beginning, we learn of a particular man named Job. Job was "blameless and upright, and one who feared God and turned aside from evil" (v1). When the angels (here in the book of Job called the sons of God) presented themselves to God, Satan was among them, and a conversation ensued between the two. God stated the good of Job while Satan downplayed his faithfulness, believing that Job was obedient to God because of the blessings and protection God gave him. To permit Job to be tested by Satan, God took his protection and blessings away. The only stipulation offered to Satan was that Job was not to be touched physically.

Satan, in turn, left the presence of God and destroyed all that Job possessed, even to the point of taking the lives of his children. The life of Job's wife was spared, as evident from Job 2:9-10.

Afterwards, in a repeated fashion, Satan approached God again and downplayed Job’s faithfulness because of the lack of a direct attack on Job. God permitted Satan to test Job further (physically), but he was not allowed to take his life. Satan, again, left God and did all that was permissible for him to do. Job suffered greatly.

Much of the book continues with Job conversing with three of his friends who came to comfort him in his misery. Job’s friends accused him of a secret sin, but Job held on to his integrity, believing God had unjustly raised His hand against him. Job convinced himself that his righteousness was greater than God’s and wanted to confront God about it before a judge.

After all the debate concluded between Job and his three friends, Elihu rebukes Job. Having heard their conversation, Elihu offered his insight. When he brought the matter to an end, God, in turn, answered Job personally.

God questioned Job’s counsel, not having any knowledge.

• Where was Job when God created the earth?
• Does Job have wisdom on how the elements of nature work? Does Job command them?
• Can Job create the constellations of stars in the sky?
• Does Job know the details of animal behavior and their reasoning?
• Shall Job contend with God and instruct Him?

In response, Job holds his tongue towards God, realizing that he himself is vile.

Pursuing the issue further, God challenges Job on his ability, or lack thereof. Job is nothing when compared to God, so how could his righteousness be greater? Even compared to the behemoth (Job 40:15-24), which no man can capture or tame (v24), Job is no match.

In conclusion, God questions Job if he can take hold of leviathan. According to the words of God, leviathan is a fierce creature, untamable, and fearless towards men. If Job is no match against a beast such as this, how can he stand against the True God who made it?

Look at the details of leviathan; they do not match the descriptions of an alligator or a crocodile. Though some think the descriptors are "poetic" in their delivery (such as Dr. Kretzmann's Popular Commentary [Paul Kretzmann]), it simply does not add up. And although Satan seems to have "left the picture" (narrative) after chapter 2, in truth, he was still around the whole time. When we understand how Satan works, it should be no surprise that he was attacking Job in other ways not apparent at the onset.

Who is Satan?

Look at who Satan is.

G4567

Original: Σατανᾶς

Transliteration: Satanas

Phonetic: sat-an-as'

Thayer Definition:

  1. adversary (one who opposes another in purpose or act), the name given to

    a. the prince of evil spirits, the inveterate adversary of God and Christ

      1. he incites apostasy from God and to sin

      2. circumventing men by his wiles

      3. the worshippers of idols are said to be under his control

      4. by his demons he is able to take possession of men and inflict them with diseases

      5. by God's assistance he is overcome

      6. on Christ's return from heaven he will be bound with chains for a thousand years, but when the thousand years are finished he will walk the earth in yet greater power, but shortly after will be given over to eternal punishment

    b. a Satan-like man

Origin: fof Aramaic origin corresponding to G4566 (with the definite affix)

TWOT entry: 09:31,1

Part(s) of speech: Noun Masculine

Strong's Definition: Of Chaldee origin corresponding to G4566 (with the definite article affixed); the accuser, that is, the devil: - Satan.

-- A Faithful Version

Satan, amongst all his descriptors, is called a serpent:

Genesis 3:1-4 - AFV

1.   Now the serpent was more cunning than any creature of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Is it true that God has said, 'You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?' "
2.   And the woman said to the serpent, "We may freely eat the fruit of the trees of the garden,
3.   But of the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has indeed said, 'You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.' "
4.   And the serpent said to the woman, "In dying, you shall not surely die!

Genesis 3:14 - AFV

14.   And the LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this you are cursed above all livestock, and above every animal of the field. You shall go upon your belly, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.

2 Corinthians 11:3 - AFV

3.   But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

...a dragon:

Revelation 12:3-4 - AFV

3.   And another sign was seen in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns on his heads;
4.   And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to deliver, so that he might devour her child when she gave birth.

Revelation 12:9 - AFV

9.   And the great dragon was cast out, the ancient serpent who is called the Devil and Satan, who is deceiving the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.

Revelation 20:2 - AFV

2.   And he took hold of the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

...and the prince of the power of the air:

Ephesians 2:1-2 - AFV

1.   Now you were dead in trespasses and sins,
2.   In which you walked in times past according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working within the children of disobedience;

Leviathan, by definition, is also understood as a dragon (see definition H3882 above).

The instruction God gave to Job is a lesson for all of us -- that leviathan is a description of Satan. Why would God describe such an animal as leviathan to Job at the end of His correction? Did God need to detail another animal to Job? Was not behemoth enough of an example? (Job 40:15-24)

Here in Job 41, God is describing Satan using zoomorphism. More aptly, leviathan is a metaphor for Satan.

zoomorphism

zo·o·mor·phism

  (zō′ə-môr′fĭz′əm)

n.

1. Attribution of animal characteristics or qualities to a god.

2. Use of animal forms in symbolism, literature, or graphic representation.

zo′o·mor′phic adj.

-- American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
All rights reserved.

metaphor

met·a·phor

  (mĕt′ə-fôr′, -fər)

n.

1. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison, as in "a sea of troubles" or "All the world's a stage" (Shakespeare).

2. One thing conceived as representing another; a symbol: "Hollywood has always been an irresistible, prefabricated metaphor for the crass, the materialistic, the shallow, and the craven" (Neal Gabler).

[Middle English methaphor, from Old French metaphore, from Latin metaphora, from Greek, transference, metaphor, from metapherein, to transfer: meta-, meta- + pherein, to carry; see bher- in Indo-European roots.]

met′a·phor′ic (-fôr′ĭk), met′a·phor′i·cal adj.

met′a·phor′i·cal·ly adv.

-- American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
All rights reserved.

Examination of Job 41

Let’s look at what God said to Job and understand it in terms of describing Satan:

When God concluded His correction, He rebuked Job’s righteousness, not having any comparison to the righteousness of God.  Before God's discipline, Job was ignorant of the mighty foe he was facing, called Satan, the devil, an adversary whom one cannot control, attack, or conquer by human efforts or will.  Even Job, in all his righteous acts, was insufficient to take on such an enemy and win.

Conclusion

Whether perceived or not, Satan has attacked every human being since the fall of Adam.  His sphere of influence penetrates every crevice of our lives, wherever permission is allowed, and we must be ready to resist with the help of God’s Holy Spirit (James 4:7).

Remember, Satan was:

• In the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3).
• At the dispute between Cain and Abel (Genesis 4).
• Influential over the entire earth before the flood of Noah (Genesis 6:1-8).
• Inspirational at the birth of Jesus Christ to have Him killed (Matthew 2:13).
• At the 40 days/nights of fasting that Jesus did before His ministry (Matthew 4:1-11).
• At the last Passover (John 13:21-30).
• At the trial and execution of our Lord and Savior (Psalms 22:11-13).

Satan even enticed and influenced the twelve apostles to destroy the work of God:

• He tried to elevate and divide the apostles (Matthew 20:20-28).
• He subverted Peter's actions on several occasions so that Peter would appear more righteous than Christ (Mark 8:31-33, John 13:1-11).
• He led Judas to betray Jesus to His death (John 13:21-30).

From the Scriptures, we can draw more examples concerning Satan’s work and influence, but God will be the One to end all of his deeds.

Look at Psalms 74:14 in lieu of Satan and his work because it relates more to the end-time beast than a mere animal of the sea.  Notice this leviathan (a sea monster, singular) has multiple heads. When compared to the previous verse, both nouns are plural, referring more to animals of the ocean. To a substantial degree, verse 14 appears prophetic.

Psalms 74:13-14 - AFV

13.   You divide the sea by Your strength; You break the heads [pl.] of the sea monsters [pl.] in the waters.
14.   You crushed the heads [pl.] of leviathan [s.] in pieces, and gave him to be food to the people living in the wilderness.

God will crush the end-time beast that rises out of the sea (a leviathan), having seven heads and ten horns (Revelation 13:1-9).

Satan is truly a serpent (leviathan) that dwells in the sea (prophetic representation of "peoples and multitudes and nations and languages" (Revelation 17:15)) of mankind; he always has. It is THAT leviathan [Satan] that will be punished and defeated at Christ's return, as the prophecy in Isaiah 27:1 states.

Isaiah 27:1 - AFV

1.   In that day the LORD with His great and fierce and strong sword shall punish the sea monster ^{H3882 [leviathan]}, the darting serpent, the sea monster ^{H3882 [leviathan]}, that twisting serpent; and He shall kill the monster in the sea.

Satan, who is an angel and a spirit being, cannot die (Luke 20:34-36). Satan will be put in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10) and removed for all eternity; the result is as good as being killed, as God describes in Isaiah 27:1. Satan, from that time forward, will have no effect any longer.

God desires that we learn the lesson of who leviathan really is.  Though there are instances where leviathan refers to an enormous aquatic monster, we are not in battle with any gigantic, fleshy creature of the sea, but instead we are in battle against Satan, the devil (Ephesians 6:10-18). This spiritual battle requires God to fight for us, but only if we choose God, rely on His will, and accept His Word and strength in all that we do.

Consider what little strength we have, both before and after knowing the LORD. In the letter to the Philadelphian Church, Jesus stated they had little strength. Are we to be like the Philadelphians who had no condemnation given to them? If they were not to be condemned in their faith and beliefs, why would they have so little strength?

Revelation 3:8 - AFV

8.   I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, and no one has the power to shut it because you have a little strength, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

In contrast, angels are greater in strength and power than humans, for we are flesh and blood, and they are spirit.

2 Peter 2:11 - AFV

11.   Whereas angels, who are greater in strength and power, do not bring a railing condemnation against them before the Lord.

Because of our little fleshly strength and our inability to overcome sin on our own accord, God sent Jesus to die for our sins so that we may have salvation through Him.

Romans 5:6 - AFV

6.   For even when we were without strength, at the appointed time Christ died for the ungodly.

What little strength we do have in the flesh should be directed towards loving God fully.

Mark 12:28-34 - AFV

28.   And one of the scribes who had come up to Him, after hearing them reasoning together and perceiving that He answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?"
29.   Then Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is, 'Hear, O Israel. Our one God is the Lord, the Lord.
30.   And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment.
31.   And the second is like this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
32.   Then the scribe said to Him, "Right, Master. You have spoken according to truth that God is one, and there is not another besides Him;
33.   And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
34.   And Jesus, seeing that he answered with understanding, said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And no one dared to question Him any more.

Understand that to worship God in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:23), as well as to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, can only be done by receiving the Holy Spirit from God the Father and applying it. It is His strength in us that we can do anything. The use of God's strength and armor is what enables us to resist Satan.

Ephesians 6:10-12 - AFV

10.   Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the might of His strength.
11.   Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil
12.   Because we are not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against principalities and against powers, against the world rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual power of wickedness in high places.

Those called of God know that our strength and power lie in Christ and what He taught us.

1 Corinthians 1:22-31 - AFV

22.   For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom;
23.   But we proclaim Christ crucified. To the Jews it is a cause of offense, and to the Greeks it is foolishness;
24.   But to those who are called—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God's power and God's wisdom
25.   Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26.   For you see your calling, brethren, that there are not many who are wise according to the flesh, not many who are powerful, not many who are high-born among you.
27.   Rather, God has chosen the foolish things of the world, so that He might put to shame those who are wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world so that He might put to shame the strong things.
28.   And the low-born of the world, and the despised has God chosen—even the things that are counted as nothing—in order that He might bring to nothing the things that are;
29.   So that no flesh might glory in His presence.
30.   But you are of Him in Christ Jesus, Who was made to us wisdom from God—even righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption;
31.   So that, as it is written, "The one who glories, let him glory in the Lord."

As you can see, God's warning and rebuke to Job apply to us even today.

No man can take on Satan and win. Let God fight our battles, both physically and spiritually.