LEVIATHAN: Between Legend and Literal

There are many things in the Bible that remain mysterious to believers — the forbidden fruit, the Nephilim, fallen angels, Balaam’s talking donkey, Goliath, and many more! One of the things that caught my curiosity when I first started reading the Bible was Leviathan, the sea monster (Job 3:8; 41:1–34; Ps. 74:14; 104:26; etc.). What exactly is it? Is it just a legend, or was it once a literal creature? How was this monster understood in ancient times, and how should we understand it today? Let’s dive in and catch a sea monster!

𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐀 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑

Leviathan (Hebrew: Liwyatan) is the name used in the Bible to refer to a mythical creature often associated with the sea and chaos. The origin of its name may come from a root meaning “the twisting one” (Arabic lawiya) or possibly “coiled” (Hebrew liwya). Leviathan was closely identified with Tannin, a term usually translated as “sea dragon” or “serpent.” Isaiah 27:1 reads, “Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent… the dragon (Heb. tannin) that is in the sea.” The exact appearance of this creature cannot be determined, as the ancient texts — including the biblical ones — describe it inconsistently.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐘𝐓𝐇𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐄𝐀 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑

When we study ancient myths, it becomes clear that cultures often borrowed and adapted ideas from their neighbors. This is also true in the ancient Near East, the world in which the Bible was written. Beliefs about sea monsters, such as Leviathan, were shared and passed around across civilizations.

A common theme in these myths is the “god versus sea” motif — where a deity battles the sea (which symbolizes evil and chaos) to bring about order. Scholars call this the chaoskampf, or “combat myth.” In these stories, a god (usually a sky god or storm god) fights against a sea serpent-like beast. This storyline was so popular that nearly every ancient culture had its own version of it!

In Canaanite mythology, Baal was considered the supreme deity because he defeated Litan, a seven-headed sea monster that served Yammu/Yam (the god of the sea). In the Syrian version, the storm god Haddu defeated Temtum (the Sea). The Egyptian myths also contain two similar stories: the sky god Horus fought against Sobek, the crocodile-headed god associated with the Nile River, and the sun god Ra battled the serpent god Apophis, who represented darkness and chaos.

In Jewish tradition, the legends surrounding Leviathan continued to develop. It was later described as a dragon — in the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Old Testament), the term drakon (“dragon”) was used. One legend describes Leviathan as a female dragon living beneath the sea (1 Enoch 60:7–9), while Behemoth, its male counterpart, dwelled in the desert. Another Jewish belief holds that in the last days, the righteous will feast on the flesh of Leviathan and Behemoth (2 Baruch 29:4). This monstrous creature also became associated with the world’s final destruction (Apocalypse of Abraham 21:4, 31).

𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍: 𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐖𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐀 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑?

What does the Bible really say about this creature? Why is it mentioned so many times? Does it mean the beast should be taken literally? Let’s explore how the Bible—and the people of ancient times—understood the Leviathan.

1. 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐑 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒

Even though Yahweh revealed Himself as the one true God, distinct from all others, He did not hesitate to use imagery and metaphors drawn from pagan myths to communicate His truth. The ancient Israelites were well aware of the combat myths of their surrounding cultures. After all, they often fell into idolatry and turned to other deities.

Because the people of that time were already familiar with the image of Leviathan, the biblical authors used it as a symbol or metaphor for chaos, evil, and destruction.

In Psalm 74—a psalm of petition for deliverance from Israel’s enemies—the writer described God as the one who “crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave it as food to the creatures of the wilderness” (vv. 13–14). The psalmist borrowed imagery from the Baal-Litan combat myth, where Baal defeated the seven-headed sea monster Litan and scattered the corpse of Yamm across the desert. Of course, this is not meant to be understood literally—God did not actually fight a giant sea serpent. The psalmist’s point is that God is powerful enough to crush Israel’s enemies, just as Baal was said to have crushed his mythic foe.

Aside from Leviathan, another sea monster mentioned in Scripture is Rahab (Job 9:13; 26:12–13; Ps. 89:9–10; Isa. 51:9–10). Rahab was also used symbolically for Egypt, one of Israel’s greatest enemies (Ps. 87:4; Isa. 30:7). Thus, Israel viewed God’s deliverance from Egypt as Yahweh’s victory over the monster Rahab (Isa. 51:9–10). In other words, for them, the Exodus was Yahweh’s combat myth—His triumph over chaos and oppression.

2. 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍? 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐈𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐘

The most detailed passage about this sea monster appears in the book of Job. In Job 41, God vividly described Leviathan’s terrifying strength and indomitable nature. God mentioned both Leviathan and Behemoth (Job 40–41)—often called the “chaos monsters”—to challenge Job’s accusation that God was treating him unfairly, as though Job were a violent, chaotic sea or monster (Job 7:12).

God turned Job’s own words back at him to correct his misunderstanding. The Lord’s point was this: if Job could not subdue or control the chaos monsters, how could he possibly contend with God Himself (41:10–14)?

What makes this passage intriguing is that God used Leviathan as a concrete example to make His point. This raises an important question: If Leviathan were purely mythical, why did God describe it with such realism and detail? If it were merely imaginary, it would make little sense for God to use it as a persuasive demonstration of His power—Job would not be convinced by an imaginary creature he had never known or seen.

Because of this, some researchers suggest that Leviathan and Behemoth might have been real creatures known in Job’s time. Several theories have been proposed:

• Some believe that the ancient people associated real animals with mythical beasts, seeing them as the earthly reflections/ reminiscient of such legends.

• Others argue that Behemoth might have been a hippopotamus or elephant, since it is described as hiding among lotus plants (Job 40:21–23), though this is debated, especially because of the reference to its “tail like a cedar” (v. 17).

• Many scholars find the Leviathan-as-crocodile view more probable, noting similarities between the descriptions of Leviathan and the Nile crocodile, which was also associated with the Egyptian god Sobek. Ancient Hebrew lacked a specific term for “crocodile,” so Leviathan may have been a poetic stand-in (cf. Ezek. 29:3–4; 32:3–4).

• However, this crocodile theory also faces challenges, especially since the text says the creature “breathes fire” (Job 41:18–21). Could this be figurative language, describing its terrifying power? Or perhaps it refers to some form of hot chemical spray, similar to that of the bombardier beetle?

• A few even speculate that Leviathan could have been a prehistoric reptile or dinosaur-like creature, such as Kronosaurus, Liopleurodon, or Sarcosuchus. But such views remain speculative, lacking sufficient evidence. 

Until more information is known, the identity of Leviathan in Job 41 remains a fascinating mystery.

3. 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐍

Isaiah 27:1 prophesies that “on that day the Lord will punish with His fierce sword… Leviathan the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; He will slay the monster of the sea.” This prophecy likely symbolizes God’s final victory over evil and chaos, represented by the monster.

In Revelation, John speaks of “an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns” (Rev. 12:3), later identifying it as “that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray” (v. 9; cf. Gen. 3:1–15). Later, the dragon is seen “standing on the shore of the sea” (Rev. 13:1)—an image that echoes the Leviathan, the many-headed sea monster of Psalm 74:14. Though the dragon in Revelation is terrifying, it shares the same destiny as all forces of evil: it will be defeated and cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:2, 10).

4. 𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐍: 𝐆𝐎𝐃’𝐒 𝐒𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐒

Leviathan may symbolize chaos and destruction, but God’s sovereignty reigns supreme. This is why the Leviathan is mentioned in various passages—to emphasize God’s power over chaos and calamity.

In Psalm 104:25–26, Leviathan is portrayed not as an enemy but simply as a creature God formed to frolic in the sea. In Amos 9:3, it appears as a serpent in the depths—one that even there remains under God’s command.

In the New Testament, this theme finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. When Jesus calmed the storm (Matt. 8:23–27; Mk. 4:35–41; Lk. 8:22–25), He rebuked the winds and the waves—and His disciples marveled: “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!” (Matt. 8:27). What kind of man, indeed? He is the God who became man. Christ’s authority over the storm demonstrated that He is Yahweh Himself, the One before whom even the chaotic seas—and their symbolic monster—must submit. In another account, Jesus walked on the stormy waters (Matt. 14:25; Mk. 6:48; Jn. 6:19). When He said to His terrified disciples, “It is I; don’t be afraid” (Matt. 14:27; Mk. 6:50; Jn. 6:20), He was identifying Himself with the Lord—the great “I AM” who “treads on the waves of the sea” (Job 9:8; Ps. 77:19).

Chaos has no power over Christ! For Christ, the one who was sent to crush the serpent’s head (Gen 3:15 cf. Gal 4:4), will soon come again to finally slay the dragon—the ancient serpent, Satan himself (Isa 27:1 cf. Rev 12:11; 20:2, 10). In Jesus, there is victory. Stay Curious. 

𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀:

Walton J. and, Craig K. (2016). “Identification of Behemoth and Leviathan”. 𝘕𝘐𝘝 𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. (pp. 871-872). Zondervan Publishing.
Walton J. and, Craig K. (2016). “Leviathan”. 𝘕𝘐𝘝 𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. (pp. 874-875). Zondervan Publishing.
Walton J. and, Craig K. (2016). “Chaos Monsters”. 𝘕𝘐𝘝 𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. (pp. 953-954). Zondervan Publishing.
Van der Horst, P. W. (1999). "Leviathan". In K. van der Toorn, B. Becking, & P. W. van der Horst (Eds.), 𝘋𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘋𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 (2nd ed., pp. 511–515). Grand Rapids, MI / Leiden, The Netherlands: W. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company & Brill Academic Publishers.
Heiser, M. S. (2022, March 11). 𝘚𝘦𝘢 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦: 𝘋𝘪𝘥 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘍𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯? Logos. https://www.logos.com/grow/bible-say-god-battled-sea-monsters-creation/
Turpin, S. (2020, August 8). 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘓𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯. Answers in Genesis. https://answersingenesis.org/dinosaurs/drawing-out-biblical-leviathan/?srsltid=AfmBOorITzCinrRZVGdd8EJRfb2aLGeDCqcI_h4bXQqjufOk9FDJhKKx