Behemoth and Leviathan

       I've always been fascinated about the personal and long conversation that Job has with God in the bible book of Job.  In Job chapters 38 and 39, they have quite a conversation about animals. God speaks to Job about the lion, the raven, the wild goat and donkey, the ostrich, the horse, and the hawk.  

      But it's the other animals in Chapter 40 that got my attention. During this part of their conversation, God reminds Job of his power over a creature he calls Behemoth.  God describes it this way.  In verse 15 God says that it is a plant eater. In verse 21 God says it lives near water. In verses 16-18 God says its very strong and muscular. Verse 19 states, It ranks first among the works of God. Verse 19 says, only it's creator can master it, and that it's massive tail sways like a cedar.  

     I was so fascinated by this, that I dug a little deeper.  After reading several commentaries on the subject of this creature, I was more confused. Some Bible scholars say that God was referring to what we now know as a hippo or elephant. However, God’s description above does not fit either of those animals.  Hippos have short stubby tails, and Elephants tails are thin and whip like. Hence the mystery began. 

     Then, in Chapter 41 of Job, God speaks of a great creature he calls “Leviathan,” and God goes into very great details in describing this creature to Job. And in Psalm 104, this mysterious creature is spoken of again.  A whale?  A giant crocodile?  Some Bible scholars say, "Yes." 

     However, I want you to be the judge.  Here are the passages of God’s words to Job describing the Leviathan in a few different versions.

     Job 41:18-22 KJV   By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.  Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.  Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.  His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.  

     NIV    “Its snorting throws out flashes of light; its eyes are like the rays of dawn.  Flames stream from its mouth; sparks of fire shoot out.  Smoke pours from its nostrils as from a boiling pot over burning reeds.  Its breath sets coals ablaze, and flames dart from its mouth.”

     ESV   “His sneezings flash forth light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the dawn.  Out of his mouth go flaming torches; sparks of fire leap forth.  Out of his nostrils comes forth smoke, as from a boiling pot and burning rushes.  His breath kindles coals, and a flame comes forth from his mouth.”

     Job 41:31-32 KJV  “He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.  He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.”

     NIV   “He makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron and stirs up the sea like a pot of  ointment.

 Behind him he leaves a glistening wake; one would think the deep had white hair.  

     ESV     “He makes the deep boil like a pot; he makes the sea like a pot of ointment.  Behind him he leaves a shining wake; one would think the deep to be white-haired.”

     I think God’s description of Behemoth sound more like a dinosaur than a hippo, and the Leviathan?  Come on! The wat God speaks about flames and smoke pouring from it's mouth?  I'd say it sounds more like a the stuff of legends. A powerful, glistening, fire breathing, dawn-eyed dragon. perhaps?  

     And lastly, God spoke to Job about 12 animals that walk the earth today. So it is certainly a mystery why God went into such detail describing the Behemoth and Leviathan. Maybe he's reminding Job that there are things in this world, creatures, even,  that are beyond human understanding, things only He can control. I believe these creatures are exactly what God says they are?

    Thinking about these creatures makes me realize how vast and mysterious God's creation really is. so as for me, I’ll be looking for the glowing white wakes of the Leviathan in the oceans of Heaven, because I really, really, wanna see this guy!  Do you think I might get to ride on him?