So it seems that the only reasonable way that one could compare the tail of an animal to a cedar as a distinctive feature of the animal is either for its height assuming it is lifted up or simply for its great length or size.
The key point is that some significant comparison is made with the cedar whatever the precise meaning of the verb may be in order to highlight a distinctive feature of Behemoth. But in contrast, the idea of a dinosaur with a very large tail is quite appropriate.
In particular, specimens of sauropods have been found which have very large tails worthy of comparison with the cedar tree. Finally, we will very briefly examine the suitability of the proposed animals in the light of the whole passage.
The elephant is outstanding for its trunk, its great size especially its feet , its enormous appetite and its ears. None of these unique features are mentioned in our passage, but they ought to have been, if Behemoth was the elephant. Also, the elephant retreats to the depths of the forest during the hot part of the day. The hippopotamus is noted for its weight, its large and strong mouth, with its deadly tusks, its thick skin, its pink sweat and its ability to walk on the bed of a river for long periods.
It spends most of the day in the water, as its skin dries out very quickly in the sun. Similarly, the hippopotamus stays in the deeper water, and this does not seem to fit with Job , where we are told that Behemoth stays under the trees on the bank. The main features of the dinosaurs are unknown, apart from the size of their bones, which indicates that some of them were much larger than any known land animal alive today.
Consequently, because of our ignorance here, there is nothing in the passage to eliminate this possibility! It is not surprising that before fossils of large extinct animals were found in great numbers, older conservative commentators only tried to identify Behemoth with some of the largest known living animals even though none of these animals are suitable. The possibility of very large extinct animals did not really occur to them! The whole passage in Job 40 concerning Behemoth certainly suggests a large animal, and no known living animal fits the passage adequately for various reasons, including the detailed habitat presented.
The most natural interpretation of the key clause Job a is that the tail of Behemoth is compared to a cedar for its great size, and there is nothing in the context which contradicts this possibility, even though the exact sense of the verb is extremely difficult to determine. Consequently, the most reasonable interpretation which also takes the whole passage into account is that Behemoth was a large animal, now extinct, which had a large tail.
I would like to thank Noel Weeks for reading a draft version of this paper and for several helpful suggestions. Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry , dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
Donate Now. View Cart. Image from Answers magazine. Could Behemoth Have Been a Dinosaur? Share: Email Using: Gmail Yahoo! Outlook Other. Artwork by Steve Cardno. Footnotes Gordis, R. Gordis, Ref. Keil, C. Gesenius, W.
The behemoth has a thick tail that it moves like a giant cedar Job and lives under shady trees verse The animal is so massive that no man can trap it verse Only God can overcome this exotic creature verse Leviathans are one of the greatest creatures ever created Job This fearsome, powerful animal verses 8 - 9 is said to have a large tongue Job and a thick, impenetrable skin composed of scales verse 7, 13, 15 - 17, It is said to be quite strong verse 12 , possessing two rows of teeth verse 13 in a jaw that cannot be forced open verse They can look like it is breathing out fire and smoke Job - 21 and is unafraid of any man or any weapons used against it verses 25 - 30, In Psalm - 14 this creature symbolizes Egypt, which God defeated in order to free his people.
In Isaiah - it represents, in the end time, God's punishment for the world's sin and his judgment against evil.
Commentaries speculate the Biblical description of leviathans is actually referring to a crocodile or whale. Concerning the behemoth, opinion is split between referring to a hippopotamus or an elephant. The Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, however, not only states that it would be "patently absurd" to believe this creature is a hippo or elephant, it also postulates this beast might be an extinct dinosaur.
Some commentaries are honest enough to admit that modern conclusions regarding these mythical animals, such as leviathan, may be nothing more than guesses. Adam Clarke, in writing about the Biblical reference to the behemoth, states the following.
Surprisingly, the Biblical descriptions of leviathans and behemoths better fits extinct dinosaurs than any other beast or mythical creature! If you were alone next to an angry African elephant, surely you would feel quite small and helpless. How much punier and more terrified would you feel, though, if a behemoth were charging you? Would you not be inclined to seek God for protection?
Would you not hurriedly repent of any wrongs? God created this giant of mammals to humble people, who, like Job, let vanity swell their sense of greatness and importance. God recorded the behemoth in Scripture for a reason. He wants us to realize just how insignificant we are apart from Him.
For an in-depth look at where dinosaurs, mankind, and even baluchitherium fit into the biblical timeline, as well as the general age of planet Earth, take a look at our article by Ryan Malone. The book of Job describes this massive animal—but it is shrouded in mystery. Is it proof that giant dinosaurs lived with man? Why would God even create such a creature? The Holy Roman Empire has made pivotal and defining contributions to Western civilization-but its many reincarnations have also come with painful and catastrophic consequences.
European leaders aim to unite the fractured continent of Europe by reviving the legacy of this extraordinary church-state combine. One of the great lessons of this empire is that it always comes back. There is always another resurrection. The Holy Roman Empire is not just a relic of history. It is about to play a central role in world events. Coming to understand about the nature and character of this powerful institution tells you as much about the future as it does about the past.
A powerful and genuine example of peace was given to this world for a tiny period of time. Was it prophesied in your Bible? When you see how people reacted to it, you can understand why we have no real peace in this evil world.
Nevertheless, we are about to have world peace in spite of man and his human nature. History and Prophecy of the Middle East. The next time you read about peace in the Middle East, consider the facts: For over 4, years, the Middle East as been fraught with cultural, political and religious violence. Much of this history is recorded in the history book almost no one relies on—the Bible. And what makes the Bible so unique, compared to other historical accounts, is that it recorded much of this history before it occurred!
The Prophet Daniel wrote about a future confrontation between the king of the north and the king of the south. We are now in the time when these two major powers are quickly rising! The king of the south is stirring up trouble even today. It is critical that you know the identity of this prophesied power!
What has happened in former Yugoslavia over the past several years reaches far beyond the boundaries of that region. It is so shocking that the nations of this world would be paralyzed with fear if they truly understood!
Shamefully, America is its chief architect. Isaiah had a prophecy for the end time that was twofold. He delivered his message to the temple priests and to the people of Israel. Can the existence of God be scientifically proved? Where did the first life come from? Can we know whether God possesses mind power? The United States and Britain in Prophecy. People of the Western world would be stunned—dumbfounded—if they knew! The governments of the United States, Britain, Canada, Australasia, South Africa would set in motion gigantic crash programs—if they knew!
They could know! Many people are aware of the atrocities committed by Germany in World War II but would consider them ancient history. These people are completely unaware of the legacy which Adolf Hitler drew upon in creating his Nazi war machine.
His was merely the latest resurrection of a war-making empire with a long and bloody history.
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