Why do some Christians claim that the biblical Leviathan was "a dinosaur"?

Question

This creature appears five times in the Old Testament, but it is generally understood to be a great sea monster, mosterous fish, or perhaps even a Nile crocodile or large snake (see Rashi's (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki's) commentary).

It is also mentioned twice in the Talmud, including "If a flame can fall a cedar, what hope does a small tree have? If a Leviathan can be hooked and hauled to land, what hope has a fish in a puddle?" (Moed Katan (25b))

The only reference I could find linking it to any prehistoric creatures, like dinosaurs, is a theory in cryptozology, that it may have been an aquatic creature such as a Plesiosaurus. But if that's the case, how does one account for the discovered remains being dated to the Jurrasic period (which extends back roughly 200 million years ago and ends about 146 million years ago)?

Surely a Christian would not rely on such scientific theories, would he/she?

Answer 1

Since, with the exception of Job 3:8, the references to Leviathan mention water in connection with it, Leviathan appears to signify some form of aquatic creature of great proportions and strength, although not necessarily of one specific kind. Psalm 104:25, 26 describes it as cavorting in the sea where ships travel, and for this reason many suggest that the term here applies to some type of whale. Though whales are rare in the Mediterranean, they are not unknown there, and parts of two whale skeletons can be found in a museum at Beirut in Lebanon. An American Translation here says “crocodile” instead of Leviathan. Additionally, the word “sea” (yam) by itself is not determinative inasmuch as in Hebrew it can refer to a large inland body of water such as the Sea of Galilee (Sea of Chinnereth) (Nu 34:11; Jos 12:3), or even to the river Nile (Isa 19:5) or the Euphrates.—Jer 51:36.

You also have to remember that the Bible is full of prophecy and symbolic language. For example, Psalm 74 describes God’s record of salvation for his people, and verses 13 and 14 refer symbolically to his deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Here the term “sea monsters [Heb., than·ni·nim′, plural of tan·nin′]” is used as a parallel expression to “Leviathan,” and the crushing of the heads of Leviathan may well refer to the crushing defeat administered to Pharaoh and his army at the time of the Exodus.

Also, Isaiah 27:1 apparently employs Leviathan as a symbol of an empire, an organization that is international in scope and that is dominated by one who himself is referred to as “serpent” and “dragon.” (Re 12:9) The prophecy is one of restoration for Israel, and therefore Jehovah’s ‘turning attention’ to Leviathan must include Babylon. However, verses 12 and 13 consider Assyria and Egypt as well. So, Leviathan here evidently refers to an international organization or empire that is in opposition to God and his worshipers.

Answer 2

Many Christians don't study their Bible. It is very plain that leviathan is another name for Satan. Leviathan is the king over all the child of pride. That is no dinosaur. Job 41: 34 He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride
.Psalms 74: 14 Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness. This is a reference to Revelation 12:6 when the Nation of Israel flees into the wilderness and God take care of them there.
Psalms 104: 26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. This is a prophecy of the tribulation period when Satan will be in the sea. Isaiah 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 shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.
This is also a prophecy of Satan after he is let out of the bottomless pit and God cast him into lake of fire. Revelation 20: 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Answer 3

I believe most Christians believe that Leviathan was describing a dinosaur. Of course, that would signify that man and dinosaur were alive at the same time, and the dinosaurs were able to be seen and their description recorded...

A lot of Christians also believe that the earth really ISN'T millions of years old, it's really about 7000 years old instead, by tracking down the generations written in the Bible. You'd be surprised at how many scientists believe the same thing, by other methods than the Bible...

Answer 4

your right the Leviathan was a very likely a big sea creature for the very reasons you mentioned. (actually their were two created, but it was killed so that they would not populate and destroy the earth)

as for any reference to dinosaurs that would be right next to the Leviathan and the words giant sea creature would be the only reference

Answer 5

They claim that "... the biblical Leviathan was a dinosaur" because they are constantly, desperately, trying to reinterpret the bible to rationalize new contradictions that emerge as scientific knowledge emerges.

Answer 6

What makes you think the literal Word points to natural events again? How many time do we have to go over this? I'm telling mom that you were on unfiltered internet again!

Answer 7

I always thought Leviathan was a whale.