The Myth of Leviathan

Hello guys!!

Today, for my Myth and Literature paper, I gave a presentation on the myth of Leviathan.

Leviathan is a mythical sea serpent that is mentioned in the Bible and other Hebrew writings. The word Leviathan comes from the Hebrew word "Livyatan", which means twisted or coiled. 

In the Old Testament, Leviathan appears in Psalms 74:14, as a multi-headed sea serpent that is killed by God and given as a food to the creatures in the wilderness that represents God's power and dominion over chaos and the forces of evil, symbolised by the mythical sea monster. 

It also appears in several books of the Hebrew Bible in the Psalms, the Book of Job, the Book of Isaiah, the Book of Enoch. 

Isaiah 27:1 says – "In that day the Lord with his hard, great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea". 

This verse prophecies that God will destroy Leviathan to end chaos and restore the universe. 

In the Medieval Christian Theology, it is seen as one of the seven princes of hell, as a force of destruction, temptation, jealousy and resentment. It is identified with the demon of the deadly sin - envy. It is one of the faces of devil.

Some Jewish legends suggest that Leviathan was created on the fifth day of creation when God made the sea creatures, in Genesis 1:21. However, Leviathan was unique, more than just an animal, it is considered as a monstrous evil force. 

And also they suggested that God initially created two Leviathan, male and female but God destroyed the female to prevent them from reproducing.

Leviathan is depicted as an immense sea serpent or dragon, it is enormous in size. According to Job 41, no human weapon can pierce it's scales, as it is immune to swords , spears or arrows and any sharp weapons. It is described as a fire breathing, multi-headed serpent like form which has control over the waters. 

The purpose of Leviathan's creation is debated but there are several interpretations. 

• Symbol of Chaos - It represents the chaos of the deep waters. In Ancient times, the sea was feared as a place of mystery and destruction and it embodied those uncontrollable forces.

• A Divine challenge - In Job 41, Leviathan is portrayed as a creature that only God can kill, emphasizing his supreme power. 

• A future reward - During the end days in jewish theology, Leviathan's flesh will be served at the banquet of the righteous in the world to come, symbolising Divine victory over chaos and evil. 

Revelation 13:1 -

"The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name."

Thank you for reading :)