Original Word: לִוְיָתָן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: livyathan
Pronunciation: li-vee-yah-tahn
Phonetic Spelling: (liv-yaw-thawn')
KJV: leviathan, mourning
NASB: Leviathan
Word Origin: [from H3867 (לָוָה - To join)]

1. a wreathed animal, i.e. a serpent (especially the crocodile or some other large sea- monster)
2. (figuratively) the constellation of the dragon
3. also as a symbol of Babylon

leviathan, mourning

From lavah; a wreathed animal, i.e. A serpent (especially the crocodile or some other large sea- monster); figuratively, the constellation of the dragon; also as a symbol of Bab. -- leviathan, mourning.

see HEBREW lavah

Word Origin
from the same as livyah
Definition
"serpent," a sea monster or dragon
NASB Translation
Leviathan (6).

לִוְיָתָן noun masculine^{Job 40:25} serpent, dragon, leviathan, in poetry and rare (on formation from לוה with feminine ת+ ןָ֯ see Thes and compare Ges^{§ 85}, 54 Kö^{ii, p. 99} Ba^{NB § 207c}; Lag^{BN 205} thinks foreign loan-word); — sea-monster = crocodile Job 40:25; whale Psalm 104:25 (see Che); dragon producing eclipses (mythological) Job 3:8; figurative of Egypt as all-engulfing Psalm 74:14 ("" תַּנִּינִים Psalm 74:13); compare Isaiah 27:1 (twice in verse) ("" נָחָשׁ בָּרִחַ, נָחָשׁ עֲקַלָּתוֺן), see Che Di and especially (on ׳ל in General) Barton^{Tiamat, JAOS xv (1891), 22 ff.} Gunk^{Schöpf. u. Chaos 46}.

Name and Imagery

Leviathan is portrayed in Scripture as a colossal, untamable sea creature whose very existence magnifies the majesty of its Creator. Whether viewed as an actual aquatic reptile (such as a now-extinct marine dinosaur or a massive crocodilian) or as a poetic embodiment of chaotic powers, the biblical text treats Leviathan as part of a real world over which the Lord reigns absolutely.

Canonical Occurrences

• Job 3:8—Those “prepared to rouse Leviathan” are invoked in Job’s lament, underscoring how dreadful his suffering feels.
• Job 41:1–34—An extended divine monologue highlights Leviathan’s impenetrable armor, fearsome strength, and utter independence from human control. “Can you pull in Leviathan with a hook…?” (Job 41:1).
• Psalm 74:14—In a salvation-history review, Asaph sings, “You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You gave him as food for the creatures of the desert”, celebrating God’s past deliverance of His covenant people.
• Psalm 104:26—Within a creation hymn, Leviathan frolics at God’s command: “There the ships pass, and Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there”.
• Isaiah 27:1 (twice within the verse)—The prophet foresees eschatological judgment: “In that day the LORD will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent… He will slay the dragon of the sea”.

Literary and Poetic Function

1. Awe-Inducing Imagery: By depicting a creature that dwarfs human power, the poets of Israel direct attention to the incomparable sovereignty of God.
2. Chaos Symbolism: In Psalms and Isaiah, Leviathan functions as a figurative stand-in for oppressive worldly and spiritual forces that threaten God’s people.
3. Wisdom Pedagogy: In Job, God uses Leviathan to confront human presumption, teaching that finite minds cannot grasp the fullness of divine governance.

Theological Significance

• Sovereignty of God: Leviathan’s might is repeatedly set against the LORD’s greater might. The message is clear—no chaotic force lies outside His dominion.
• Victory over Evil: Isaiah transforms the creature into an eschatological symbol; the future slaying of Leviathan prefigures the final defeat of Satan (Revelation 20:10).
• Goodness of Creation: Psalm 104 presents Leviathan not as a threat but as a joyful participant in God’s ordered world, reminding believers that even the most intimidating aspects of nature have purposeful design.

Historical Reception

Ancient Near Eastern cultures told of hostile sea monsters (Ugaritic Lotan, Babylonian Tiamat). Scripture deliberately alludes to such imagery yet reframes it: Leviathan is not a rival deity but a mere creature. Early Church writers like Augustine saw in Leviathan a figure of the devil; later Reformation commentators maintained a dual understanding—both literal creature and spiritual emblem.

Ministry Application

• Assurance in Spiritual Warfare: Isaiah 27:1 anchors confidence that God will finally vanquish every satanic power.
• Humility and Trust: Job 41 invites believers to relinquish the illusion of control and rest in the wisdom of the Almighty.
• Worship and Stewardship: Psalm 104 motivates admiration for the diversity of God’s handiwork, encouraging responsible care for creation.
• Preaching Christ’s Triumph: The crushing of Leviathan’s heads (Psalm 74:14) foreshadows the serpent-crusher promised in Genesis 3:15 and fulfilled in the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Summary

Across wisdom, poetry, and prophecy, Leviathan serves as a towering witness to the LORD’s uncontested rule, the certainty of His redemptive plan, and the call for His people to respond with reverent faith, confident hope, and obedient worship.

לִ֝וְיָתָ֗ן לִוְיָתָ֑ן לִוְיָתָ֔ן לִוְיָתָ֣ן לִוְיָתָֽן׃ לִוְיָתָן֙ לויתן לויתן׃ livyaTan liw·yā·ṯān liwyāṯānInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts