Leviathan Job 41

Job 41:1 "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?" v2

Here the Bible describes a creature beyond anything I have ever seen alive or in pictures.

I've tried to thing of some creature that would match the description. The dragon in mythical stories is the only one that comes to mind. I know that many legends come from truths.

For me, if the Bible says it is so, then it is so and there was at this time such an amazing creature although his kingdom seems contrary to Bible teachings: v34 "He beholdeth all high things; he is a king over all the children of pride." Of course, we know that pride comes before a fall.

Let's look at some of the description: v10 "None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?" God is saying, if you cannot tame this creature which I made, God is greater that it.

v14 "Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about."

v18 "By his sneezings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning."

v19 "Out of his mouth go burning lamps and sparks of fire leap out, v20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. v21 His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth."

v22 "In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him."

I thought this indicated that the creature could influence the emotions of anyone coming near it.

v23 "The flakes of his flesh are joined together; they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved. v24 His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone."

It goes on to describe the uselessness of trying to subdue it.

v30 "Sharp stones are under him; he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire."

v31 "He maketh the deep to boil like a pot; he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment. v32 He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary. v33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear."

That is quite a description. The point is that the LORD has covered many of his creation. Job said he would contend with God. Now, he can see that the LORD is way above him and that humility is appropriate before him.

I think Job may have been aware of this creature since he did not question its existence.

caldron, cauldron: a large kettle

Genesis 1:24 "And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so."

Leviathan used in God's discussion with Job.

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