Leviathan: Man or Beast?
Both Hebrew and English dictionaries give various definitions of the word, Leviathan. To twist or contort, as to show folds or creases. To cause to coil about something, as a serpent. A whale, crocodile or some other large ancient sea-monster. A sea monster who symbolizes evil in the Old Testament. Figuratively the constellation of the dragon, a symbol of Babylon and to mourn.
Leviathan is found five (5) times in the Old Testament. Job 41:1. Ps.74:14, 104:26, and Isa.27:1.
In Ps.104:26, it does appear to be some sort of sea creature. But the others verses seem to point to something quite different.
For some reason the Biblical Leviathan has stirred my curiosity for years. Does Leviathan have anything to do with a large sea creature, or crocodiles? I can't bring myself to believe that this is what the Scriptures are referring to.
The book of Job is thought to be the oldest book of the Bible, written soon after Noah's flood. The author is unknown. The book tells a story of a skirmish of word and deeds between the Almighty, Satan and a man called Job. We all know the story.
In Job, there are 34 verses given to the description of this creature called Leviathan. The first question I have is, "Why would God give 34 verses in His written word, describing an animal? I keep coming up with the same answer, "He wouldn't."
In Job 41, the verses describe Leviathan's power, size, its independence, its exterior hardness, fierceness, its hidden characteristics, and his shield as being one that no man can penetrate. He is said to breath fire, has smoke coming from his nostrils and has a firm heart. Men are said to be afraid of Leviathan when it raises himself.
He cannot be killed by sword, spear, or javelin, arrows and slings. Iron and brass are as straw to him. The lower part of the oceans boil as he moves through them, making the deep to appear hoary (old,) there is none upon the earth like him, and HE IS KING OF ALL THE CHILDREN OF PRIDE.
My second question is, "What has any animal to do with being, a King over the children of pride?" My answer,
"nothing." I have read the commentaries concerning this, but for the most part, I disagree with their assessment. Lets take a look at the other verses that give us a glimpse into this creature called Leviathan.
Isa.27:1, "In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and He (the LORD) shall slay the dragon that is in the sea." Jesus is said to wield a sharp sword that He should smite (strike) the nations.
My third question, "Why would God come down from heaven to punish and/or slay any animal?" They do not sin, and are not accountable for their actions. They do what God had created them to do.
The following descriptive words of the dragon and Leviathan are found in Isaiah and Job. King, children, pride, punish, piercing Serpent, crooked serpent, slay, and dragon.
Words of this sort are not found to describe the nature, or physically characteristics of an animal. We find words of this nature used to describe Satan, demons, evil nations, and sinful men throughout the Scriptures.
Compare Isa.26:21, with Isa.27:1.
Isa.26:21, "Behold, the LORD cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the EARTH also shall DISCLOSE HER BLOOD, and shall no more cover her slain," compare with Isa.27:1, The LORD will punish Leviathan.
So the Leviathan is a title, or characteristic of the, "inhabitants of the earth," in Isaiah. The dragon and Leviathan being the end time enemies of the Jewish people.
A little side note, The rest of Isa.26:21 reads, "The earth also shall disclose her blood, and no more cover her slain." Again I find similarities in Isaiah's wording with, Gen.4:10, and Rev.6:9-10.
1. Gen.4:10, "The LORD is speaking to Cain, "Thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground." As Abel's blood cried out unto God from the ground, so also will the blood of millions of men, women and children who have been murdered cry out unto God for vengeance. And,
2. Rev.6:9-10, "I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, -- and they cried with a loud voice, say, How long, O Lord holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? Again, the cry of the slain righteous for God's vengeance.
Back to the Leviathan.
Ps.74:12-13-14, "For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the HEADS of the dragons in the waters. Thou brakest the HEADS of Leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat (food) to the people inhabiting the WILDERNESS."
Here is a snap-shot of God taking vengeance upon the dragon that was in the sea and the Leviathan. Then it is said, God breaks the HEADS of Leviathan to pieces. The above four verses in Psalms 74, can be compared with several verses in Revelation.
1. Rev.13:1, "I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven HEADS and ten horns." Remember, Psalms 74 uses the plural, "heads."
Lets talk about the heads of Leviathan, and the 7 heads of the beast that rises out of the sea.
Ezekiel speaks of Magog, the land of Gog. Christian writers generally indicate them to be the Tartars of Russia and southern Europe. They also represent the pagan nations of the earth, Rev.20:8. The people of Gog and Magog are brought together after the 1000 year reign of Christ, to oppose AGAIN for the last time, the people of God.
So what nations, or powers, can the heads of Ps.74, and the seven heads of the beast in Rev.13, represent? That is if they are speaking of the same thing.
1. Meshech is the name for the progenitors of Russians and other Slavic people.
2. Tubal, is commonly united with Meshech. Both were sons of Japheth, see Gen.10:2. Modern day Meshech and Tubal may be a uniting of the non-religious community of Russia, and Muslim Russian??? One in for the money, the other supplying the attitude of anti-christ against God's people. They joining forces to destroy the Jews, and to take the land. Meshech and Tubal are # 1 and 2.
3. Persia, or modern day Iran.
4, and 5, Ethiopia and Libya carry the same names today, both Muslim.
6. Gomer is the land of Turkey including its surrounding areas. Most are Muslim.
7. The house of Togarmah, may include Germany? Muslim influence is gaining in these areas.
These seven, with other pagan nations may be the ten toes of iron and clay spoken of in Daniel???
So these seven may be the seven heads of the dragon that comes out of the sea, and the heads of leviathan in Psalms??? These are my thoughts.
For the first Time in 2500 years, Russia, the people of (Meshech, and Tubal, (one nation) have signed treaties with, and have become partners with Iran (ancient Persia.)
The others, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer, the house of Togarmah are sworn enemies of the Jewish people and for the most part, support the Russian and Iranian thought. Most are Muslim, having a large Muslim population. Also the Russian satellite nations of the north, are largely Muslim.
What is even stranger, Iraq, and Egypt are not mentioned in this scenario. Both life long enemies of the Jews. Today, Egypt has a treaty with Israel, and Iraq is now in a major state of change because of the war.
The following first two verses may have something to do with Ps.74, the breaking of the heads of Leviathan. Also, Rev.12:14, may have something to do with, "the people inhabiting the wilderness," spoken of in Psalms 74.
Two more verses follow that may shed further light on Ps.74.
2. Rev.12:3, "There appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven HEADS and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads."
3. Rev.17:3, "A woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having SEVEN HEADS and ten horns."
Jesus Christ has His bride, the Christian community. Satan has his bride, she is called the whore of Babylon. She sits on a scarlet colored beast, having seven heads. The beast may represent the dragon, or Leviathan, or both which are spoken of in, Ps.74.
4. Rev.12:14, "The woman (the Jewish people) were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the WILDERNESS, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times and half a time, from the face of the serpent."
The writer of Psalms may have been referring to this (end time) women who went into the wilderness. When God finishes breaking the heads of the dragon and Leviathan. He, "gavest
him (the dragon and Leviathan) to be meat (food) to the people inhabiting the WILDERNESS."
I am not attempting to read into the Scriptures things that are not implied. But there does appear to be similarities in the words, thoughts, and expressions.
I leave you with my reflections. Your input is welcomed, for I find this to be a fascinating topic for discussion. What do you think? if you have any further thoughts please reply.
Thank you,
Phil LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com