Hope and Prophecy

Who Was Leviathan?

Leviathan is a powerful creature described in poetic and highly dramatic language in Job 41, Psalm 74, Psalm 104, and Isaiah 27. The Bible uses Leviathan both as a creature of God's creation and, in some passages, as symbolic imagery for hostile powers.

Published 2026-09-13 · Updated 2026-09-27

Written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team. Read our editorial policy.

0 views
Bible Study

Biblical explanation

gives the longest description: “Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook?” (). God describes Leviathan as extraordinarily powerful and beyond human ability to control. says: “There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.” This clearly presents Leviathan as part of God's creation. uses Leviathan in a poetic context: “Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces” (). uses the imagery symbolically: “The LORD… shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent.” The Bible does not identify Leviathan as a dinosaur in a straightforward scientific sense. Nor does every mention necessarily refer to exactly the same thing. Scripture uses Leviathan as both creature imagery and poetic symbolism.

In brief

gives the longest description: “Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook?

Bible references

Go deeper into this topic Can We Trust the Bible? Start the study

Editorial note

This answer is written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team, and is presented with supporting references so you can examine each passage in context. If you notice an error or unclear statement, please suggest a correction.