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| '''Behemoth''' ({{IPAc-en|b|ɨ|ˈ|h|iː|m|ə|θ}} or {{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|iː|.|əm|ə|θ}}, also {{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|eɪ|.|əm|ɔː|θ}}; {{lang-he|בהמות}}, ''behemoth'' (modern: ''behemot'')) is a beast mentioned in {{bibleref2|Job|40:15–24}} |
'''Behemoth''' ({{IPAc-en|b|ɨ|ˈ|h|iː|m|ə|θ}} or {{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|iː|.|əm|ə|θ}}, also {{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|eɪ|.|əm|ɔː|θ}}; {{lang-he|בהמות}}, ''behemoth'' (modern: ''behemot'')) is a beast mentioned in {{bibleref2|Job|40:15–24}}. Some ] believe it to be a description of a ]<ref name="Metzger2004">{{cite book|last1=Metzger|first1=Bruce Manning|last2=Coogan|first2=Michael D|title=The Oxford Guide To People And Places Of The Bible|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=amlXOOaSuLMC|accessdate=22 December 2012|year=2004|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-517610-0|page=33}}</ref> due to its tail being described as like a cedar tree. Some ], which has been proven false, believe identities range from an elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros or crocodile. ]ically, the name has come to be used for any extremely large or powerful entity. | ||
| The book of Job, which is where the term Behemoth originated, describes the creature as one "which feeds on grass like an ox". This suggests that the creature would have flat, rounded teeth because it is a herbivore. The book of Job also describes the Behemoth to have "strength in its loins (the part of the body on both sides of the spine between the lowest (false) ribs and the hipbones)" and "power in the muscles of its belly!" This suggests that the Behemoth has a strong and powerful abdomen or core. "It's tail sways like a cedar; the sinews (a piece of tough fibrous tissue uniting muscle to bone or bone to bone; a tendon or ligament) of its thighs are close-knit" This tendon would have to be strong, short, and "close-knit" in order to support the weight of its large, long, and heavy tail that is described like a cedar tree. "Its bones are tubes of bronze, its limbs like rods of iron." This obviously describes the limbs or legs to be strong and large. No other creature that has been seen or remains have been found fits this description, except the ]<ref name="Metzger2004">{{cite book|last1=Metzger|first1=Bruce Manning|last2=Coogan|first2=Michael D|title=The Oxford Guide To People And Places Of The Bible|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=amlXOOaSuLMC|accessdate=22 December 2012|year=2004|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-517610-0|page=33}}</ref>. The Book of Job goes on to describe the Behemoth habitat. "The hills bring it their produce, and all the wild animals play nearby." This suggests that the Behemoth eats plants and is a friendly non threating animal. "Under the lotus plants it lies, hidden among the reeds in the marsh. The lotuses conceal it in their shadow; the poplars by the stream surround it." Lotus plants grow on top of the water and can grow up to 6 to 7 feet tall. This suggests that the Behemoth stay near and in the waters, particularly the Jordan River in this area of the world during this time period. Poplar trees can grow up to about 195 feet tall and would easily give it shade. This verse suggests that the poplar trees would have been another choice of food for the Behemoth. "A raging river does not alarm it; it is secure, though the Jordan should surge against its mouth." This verse also suggests that the Behemoth resides around the waters of steams and rivers, the Jordan River in particular. The Behemoth was so strong that even the "raging river" does not even startle the massive creature. This verse has caused some to think the Book of Job is describing a hippopotamus, however the other descriptions of the Behemoth goes against this theory. Particularly the description of the tail being like a cedar. The last verse, "Can anyone capture it by the eyes, or trap it and pierce its nose?", describes the inability to capture this massive animal. All of the other animals that some people think the Book of Job is describing like the elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros or crocodile, were obtainable or could have been trapped, or don't fit the description from the earlier verses. Such as eating grass or a large strong tail. The Behemoth was too big to capture and even if they could have captured it, they couldn't pierce its nose. This suggests that the nose and head was too tall to try and pierce the nose to try and tame the giant creature. | |||
| ==Plural as singular== | ==Plural as singular== | ||
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| ==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| ] 40:15–24 describes Behemoth, and then the sea-monster ], to demonstrate to ] the futility of questioning God, who alone has created these beings and who alone can capture them.<ref name="ToornBecking1999">{{cite book|last1=Van Der Toorn|first1=Karel |last2=Becking|first2=Bob|last3=Van Der Horst|first3=Pieter W|title=Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible: Second Extensively Revised Edition|year=1999|publisher=Brill|isbn=978-90-04-11119-6|pages=165–168}}</ref> |
] 40:15–24 describes Behemoth, and then the sea-monster ], to demonstrate to ] the futility of questioning God, who alone has created these beings and who alone can capture them.<ref name="ToornBecking1999">{{cite book|last1=Van Der Toorn|first1=Karel |last2=Becking|first2=Bob|last3=Van Der Horst|first3=Pieter W|title=Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible: Second Extensively Revised Edition|year=1999|publisher=Brill|isbn=978-90-04-11119-6|pages=165–168}}</ref> | ||
| Leviathan is identified figuratively with both the primeval sea ({{bibleref2|Job|3:8}}, {{bibleref2|Psalms|74:13}}) and in ] – describing the end-time – as that adversary, the ], from before creation who will finally be defeated. In the divine speeches in Job, Behemoth and Leviathan may both be seen as |
Leviathan is identified figuratively with both the primeval sea ({{bibleref2|Job|3:8}}, {{bibleref2|Psalms|74:13}}) and in ] – describing the end-time – as that adversary, the ], from before creation who will finally be defeated. In the divine speeches in Job, Behemoth and Leviathan may both be seen as creatures with enormous strength, which humans like Job could not hope to control. But both are reduced to the status of divine pets, with rings through their noses and Leviathan on a leash.<ref>Michael D. Coogan, "A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament" Page 387</ref> | ||
| {{quote| | {{quote| | ||
Revision as of 14:58, 11 March 2015
For other uses, see Behemoth (disambiguation).
Behemoth (/bˈhiːməθ/ or /ˈbiː.əməθ/, also /ˈbeɪ.əmɔːθ/; Template:Lang-he, behemoth (modern: behemot)) is a beast mentioned in Job 40:15–24. Some creationists believe it to be a description of a sauropod due to its tail being described as like a cedar tree. Some evolutionist, which has been proven false, believe identities range from an elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros or crocodile. Metaphorically, the name has come to be used for any extremely large or powerful entity. The book of Job, which is where the term Behemoth originated, describes the creature as one "which feeds on grass like an ox". This suggests that the creature would have flat, rounded teeth because it is a herbivore. The book of Job also describes the Behemoth to have "strength in its loins (the part of the body on both sides of the spine between the lowest (false) ribs and the hipbones)" and "power in the muscles of its belly!" This suggests that the Behemoth has a strong and powerful abdomen or core. "It's tail sways like a cedar; the sinews (a piece of tough fibrous tissue uniting muscle to bone or bone to bone; a tendon or ligament) of its thighs are close-knit" This tendon would have to be strong, short, and "close-knit" in order to support the weight of its large, long, and heavy tail that is described like a cedar tree. "Its bones are tubes of bronze, its limbs like rods of iron." This obviously describes the limbs or legs to be strong and large. No other creature that has been seen or remains have been found fits this description, except the sauropod. The Book of Job goes on to describe the Behemoth habitat. "The hills bring it their produce, and all the wild animals play nearby." This suggests that the Behemoth eats plants and is a friendly non threating animal. "Under the lotus plants it lies, hidden among the reeds in the marsh. The lotuses conceal it in their shadow; the poplars by the stream surround it." Lotus plants grow on top of the water and can grow up to 6 to 7 feet tall. This suggests that the Behemoth stay near and in the waters, particularly the Jordan River in this area of the world during this time period. Poplar trees can grow up to about 195 feet tall and would easily give it shade. This verse suggests that the poplar trees would have been another choice of food for the Behemoth. "A raging river does not alarm it; it is secure, though the Jordan should surge against its mouth." This verse also suggests that the Behemoth resides around the waters of steams and rivers, the Jordan River in particular. The Behemoth was so strong that even the "raging river" does not even startle the massive creature. This verse has caused some to think the Book of Job is describing a hippopotamus, however the other descriptions of the Behemoth goes against this theory. Particularly the description of the tail being like a cedar. The last verse, "Can anyone capture it by the eyes, or trap it and pierce its nose?", describes the inability to capture this massive animal. All of the other animals that some people think the Book of Job is describing like the elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros or crocodile, were obtainable or could have been trapped, or don't fit the description from the earlier verses. Such as eating grass or a large strong tail. The Behemoth was too big to capture and even if they could have captured it, they couldn't pierce its nose. This suggests that the nose and head was too tall to try and pierce the nose to try and tame the giant creature.
Plural as singular
Main article: pluralis excellentiaeJob 40 is an example of the use of a plural noun suffix to mean "great", rather than plural. The feminine plural Hebrew noun behemoth is also used in Joel 1:20.
Description
Job 40:15–24 describes Behemoth, and then the sea-monster Leviathan, to demonstrate to Job the futility of questioning God, who alone has created these beings and who alone can capture them.
Leviathan is identified figuratively with both the primeval sea (Job 3:8, Psalms 74:13) and in apocalyptic literature – describing the end-time – as that adversary, the Devil, from before creation who will finally be defeated. In the divine speeches in Job, Behemoth and Leviathan may both be seen as creatures with enormous strength, which humans like Job could not hope to control. But both are reduced to the status of divine pets, with rings through their noses and Leviathan on a leash.
Job 40:15-24 King James Version
15 Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. 16 Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. 17 He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. 18 His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron. 19 He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him. 20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play. 21 He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens. 22 The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about. 23 Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth. 24 He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
Later Jewish writings
In Jewish apocrypha and pseudepigrapha such as the 2nd century BCE Book of Enoch, Behemoth is the primal unconquerable monster of the land, as Leviathan is the primal monster of the waters of the sea and Ziz the primordial monster of the sky. According to this text Leviathan lives in "the Abyss", while Behemoth the land-monster lives in an invisible desert east of the Garden of Eden (1 Enoch 60:7–8). A Jewish rabbinic legend describes a great battle which will take place between them at the end of time: "...they will interlock with one another and engage in combat, with his horns the Behemoth will gore with strength, the fish will leap to meet him with his fins, with power. Their Creator will approach them with his mighty sword ." Then, "from the beautiful skin of the Leviathan, God will construct canopies to shelter the righteous, who will eat the meat of the Behemoth and the Leviathan amid great joy and merriment." (Artscroll siddur, p. 719).
Identity
Since the 17th century CE there have been many attempts to identify Behemoth. Some scholars have seen him as a real creature, usually the hippopotamus, occasionally the elephant, crocodile, or water buffalo. The reference to Behemoth's "tail" that "moves like a cedar" presents a problem for most of these readings, since it cannot easily be identified with the tail of any animal. Biologist Michael Bright suggests that the reference to the cedar tree actually refers to the brush-like shape of its branches, which resemble the tails of modern elephants and hippopotamuses. Some have identified the cedar as an elephant trunk, but it might instead refer to Behemoth's penis, since the Hebrew word for "move" can also mean "extend", and the second part of the verse speaks of the sinew around his "stones" (not, as in the translation provided above, his "thighs"). The Vulgate seems to endorse such a reading by using the word "testiculorum". Russian cognate бегемот (begemot) actually means hippopotamus (From third quarter of 18th century. The earlier name is гиппопотам (gippopotam).).
Another opinion is that Behemoth is a product of the imagination of the author of Job, a symbol of God's power: in verse 24 he is described as having a ring ("snare") through his nose, a sign that he has been tamed by Yahweh.
Some Young Earth creationists identify Behemoth as possibly a sauropod dinosaur, claiming that no other animal but a sauropod dinosaur has a tail that "moves like a cedar". The belief that dinosaurs and humans lived together, however, contradicts the scientific evidence that the last of the sauropods became extinct about 66 million years ago when a large asteroid struck the Earth, and that modern humans did not exist until around 50,000 years ago.
The Dictionnaire Infernal has depicted Behemoth as a humanoid Elephant Demon with a round belly. This depiction of Behemoth is a huge soldier of Satan that lives in Hell. Behemoth is an infernal watchman who also presides over the gluttonous banquets and feasts. It is also said that Behemoth has also enjoyed a certain renown for his voice where he was regarded as Hell's official demonic singer.
Literary references
The 17th-century political philosopher Thomas Hobbes named the Long Parliament 'Behemoth' in his book Behemoth. It accompanies his book of political theory that draws on the lessons of English Civil War, the rather more famous Leviathan. It is also the name of a character in Mikhail Bulgakov's novel, The Master and Margarita.
The Behemoth also appears in John Milton’s Paradise Lost (Book VII 470–472): "Scarce from his mould / Behemoth biggest born of earth upheaved / His vastness: Fleeced the flocks and bleating rose,"
The Behemoth is mentioned in The Seasons by James Thomson: " behold ! in plaited mail / Behemoth rears his head." (Summer). The German émigré Franz Leopold Neumann entitled his 1941 book about National Socialism, Behemoth: The Structure and Practice of National Socialism.
The Behemoth is also mentioned in the opera, Nixon in China, composed by John Adams, and written by Alice Goodman. At the beginning of the first act, the chorus sings "The people are the heroes now, Behemoth pulls the peasants' plow" several times.
See also
Notes
- ^ Metzger, Bruce Manning; Coogan, Michael D (2004). The Oxford Guide To People And Places Of The Bible. Oxford University Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-19-517610-0. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
- ^ Van Der Toorn, Karel; Becking, Bob; Van Der Horst, Pieter W (1999). Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible: Second Extensively Revised Edition. Brill. pp. 165–168. ISBN 978-90-04-11119-6.
- Michael D. Coogan, "A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament" Page 387
- Bright, Michael (2006). Beasts of the Field: The Revealing Natural History of Animals in the Bible. London: Robson. pp. 26–27. ISBN 1-86105-831-4.
- Mitchell (1987)
- Steel, Allan K. (2001-08-01). "Could Behemoth Have Been a Dinosaur?". Answers in Genesis. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
- "Scriptural Evidence: Dinos in the Bible". Genesis Park. 2013-09-15. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
- Taylor, P. S. (February 13, 2008). "Dinosaurs—Alive After Babel?". Answers in Genesis. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
- Job 40:17
- Anthony, S. (February 8, 2013). "Finally confirmed: An asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs". ExtremeTech. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
- Nowell April (2010). "Defining Behavioral Modernity in the Context of Neandertal and Anatomically Modern Human Populations". Annual Review of Anthropology. 39: 437–452. doi:10.1146/annurev.anthro.012809.105113.
- "Nixon in China Libretto | Adams". Opera-Arias.com. 1972-02-21. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
References
- Metzeger, Bruce M. (ed) (1993). The Oxford Companion to the Bible. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-504645-5.
{{cite book}}:|first=has generic name (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - Mitchell, Stephen, 1987. The Book of Job. San Francisco: North Point Press. Cited in R. T. Pennock, 1999, Tower of Babel, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
External links
- Leviathan and Behemoth article in the Jewish Encyclopedia
- Putting God on Trial – The Biblical Book of Job contains a major section on the literary use of Behemoth.
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