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Where is Leviathan in the Bible?

Leviathan is a large sea creature mentioned in various contexts throughout the Old Testament. Leviathan appears in 5 verses across 3 books of the Bible.

The destruction of Leviathan, the sea monster
The destruction of Leviathan, the sea monster · Gustave Doré, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

What happened at Leviathan?

Leviathan is a large sea creature mentioned in various contexts throughout the Old Testament. The Hebrew word "leviathan" is derived from a root meaning "to twist" or "to coil," suggesting a serpentine or dragon-like creature. In Job.3.8, Leviathan is mentioned in the context of Job's lament, where he curses the day of his birth and invokes those who are skilled in rousing Leviathan to curse it as well. This passage suggests that Leviathan was associated with chaos or evil. Job.41.1-34 provides the most detailed description of Leviathan, portraying it as a powerful and fearsome creature with impenetrable scales, terrible teeth, and the ability to breathe fire. In this context, Leviathan is used as an illustration of God's power over creation and His ability to subdue even the mightiest of creatures. In Psalm 74:14, Leviathan is depicted as having multiple heads, which God crushed and gave as food to the creatures of the wilderness. This imagery is likely symbolic, representing God's victory over the forces of chaos and evil. Psalm 104:26 mentions Leviathan as one of the sea creatures that God formed to play in the vast waters, showcasing God's creative power and the diversity of His creation. Isaiah 27:1 prophesies that on the day of the Lord's judgment, He will punish Leviathan, described as the fleeing and twisting serpent, with His fierce and mighty sword. This passage portrays Leviathan as a symbol of evil or chaos that will ultimately be defeated by God. The exact identity of Leviathan is uncertain, with some scholars suggesting it may refer to a crocodile, a whale, or a mythological sea monster. However, the biblical references to Leviathan are primarily symbolic, representing chaos, evil, or the forces opposed to God. The passages emphasize God's sovereignty over creation and His ultimate victory over all that challenges His rule.

Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.

Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.

Where does Leviathan appear in the Bible?

Leviathan is referenced in 5 verses across 3 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.

Job 2Psalms 2Isaiah 1

What else appears in these passages?

These turn up in the same passages as Leviathan.

SwordSeaShips

Common questions

How many times does the Bible mention Leviathan?

Leviathan appears in 5 verses across 3 books, most often in Job, which accounts for 2 of them.

Which books of the Bible mention Leviathan?

Job, Psalms, Isaiah.

Where can I read every verse about Leviathan?

This page lists 5 of them. Protos carries all 5, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.

Read it in context

Read Job with Leviathan explained on the verse.

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