The Leviathan
“Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?” Job41.1, 2
What in the world is a Leviathan?
In the Bible, the Hebrew word “livyâthân” is used six times. The first place it is used is in one of the complaints by Job when Job laments the day of his birth. (Job 3.8) There it is translated as “mourning.” In his lamentation, Job expresses an attitude of hopelessness and frustration with his helpless situation;however, that doesn’t give us much to go on in understanding what this creature is.
The other places where the word“leviathan” is used, the Hebrew word is transliterated rather than translated.By transliterating the letters from Hebrew to English, the translators concede that they didn’t know fully how to translate it. So, to them, the leviathan was something of an enigma. Some commentators suggest that the Bible speaks of the crocodile or some large sea serpent while other suggest that it is a mythological nightmarish animal. It seems that most of those suggestions come from speculation rather than reality.
From a root of the Arabic language, it derives a partial description meaning “a writhing or twisting”creature; and, it is usually associated with other reptilian type animals. God overawed Job by confronting him with this invincible creature. (Job 41) It’s scaly hide, terrible teeth, and swift swimming is described poetically and his sneezing flashes fire from its nostrils followed by smoke. However, the Bible never speaks of it as a mythological creature – it, in all of its dreadfulness, is a real creature.
It is quite clear from the readings (Job 3.8; 41.1; Psalm 74.14; 104.26; Isaiah 27.1) that this creature can neither be captured, tamed, nor controlled through human intervention – Job (and the others who encountered this beast) had no ability to handle this on his own. He needed help.
Whatever this creature was, it represented the beast within us that we cannot, in our fallen state, control.Our spears and barbs are useless against its thickly scaled skin; and, our attempts at snaring it only increases its ferocity. So then, what is our help?To whom do we turn?
Our only hope is in complete surrender to our Savior God – allowing Him to control our leviathans for us. My hope is in the Lord – the mighty Warrior and my Defender.
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121.1, 2
Copyright © 2025 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
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