Behemoth and Leviathan

Yesterday night, when I spend the night at my youth leader (soon pastor) I came across a very interesting book, “Dinosaur Dillema: Fact or Fantasy” by Dennis Gordon Lindsay.

Behemoth

Reading it, I've come to some facts I never knew. In Job 40, God describes a creature that was written as hippotamus in Indonesia Terjemahan Baru bible that I read in fact is Behemoth. What is Behemoth? In means beast or large animal (you can read explanation in Wikipedia here or google it yourself). It is written as hippo because it is agreed by most of the scholar. The author believes the Behemoth is a dinosaur (apatosaurus).

Job 40:17 He moveth his tail like a cedar. (KJV+)

The hippo doesn't fit the explanation here as its tail is only like a rope at best.

Leviathan

Another animal that was written in Job 40-41 is Leviathan. In Indonesia Terjemahan Baru bible it is written as crocodile. But in Hebrew, it is written as Leviathan (more info)

Job 41:18 By his sneezes a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.
Job 41:19 Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.
Job 41:20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
Job 41:21 His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth. (KJV+)

 

I'm always confused when I read this passage. What is the connection between a crocrodile and fire? But if I read it as dragon, as the author suggest, it makes sense.

Job 41:30 Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire (KJV+)

This passage suggest that it's underside is also strong while crocodile is vulnerable.

Another point that the author bring out is there are numerous sighting and folklore of dragon in different part of the world which will make sense if dragon really existed.

Another interesting site also write about some mythical animal that they believes as Dinosaur.