Behemoth ( /bɨˈhiːməθ/ or /ˈbiː.əməθ/, also /ˈbeɪ.əmɔːθ/; Hebrew בהמות, behemoth
(modern: behemot)) is a mythological beast mentioned in the Book of Job, 40:15-24.[1]
Metaphorically, the name has come to be used for any large or powerful entity. 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. Behemoth signifies beasts in general and in this Biblical passage it meant of one particular species with enormous strength and power. Some understand it as of a bull and others think it is a hippopotamus. However big, powerful and strong we may try to understand ‘behemoth’ it was the evidence of eminent instance of the Creator’s power and wisdom. 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.[2]
“Behold, now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. Lo, now his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. he moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron. He is the chief of the ways of God; he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him. Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play. He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens. The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about. Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordon into his mouth. He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares, (Job 40: 15-24).
Consider whether the one created is able to contend with the Creator who gave the power to behemoth or anyone who claim to have power to control another in a wrong way. It should be the wisdom of ‘behemoth’ if any should be given to it to submit to the Creator and make peace with God. Some believe both beasts are chaos monsters destroyed by the deity at the time of creation, although such a conflict is not found in the creation account.[3]
Leviathan is identified figuratively with both the primeval sea (Job 3:8; Ps. 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 composite and mythical 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.[4] Among Young Earth Creationists, who believe man and dinosaurs (along with all other land animals) were made on day 6 of Creation Week, Behemoth is commonly identified as possibly being a sauropod dinosaur.[5]
No one can contest with God for power because it is not piety and prudent for any created being to do so with the Creator. No man could speak so convincingly, so powerfully, nor with a commanding conquering force as God can because when God speaks it is done. His creating voice is called His “thunder” Psa 104:7; so is His voice which terrifies and discomfort His enemies; (1 Sam 2:10). “The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty” (Psa 29: 4). “Look on every one that is proud and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place” Job 40:12.
Job was a very good man, yet
he had to learn so many things from God and unlearn so many things about God.
These are the actual words of God in response to Job when he realized he had
nothing to say and was convinced that he had been wrong. One may even surprise
their enemies and charm their friends by their wisdom and power and strength,
but what is it all to the Divine majesty? All the glory and strength of man is
like the light of a ‘glow-worm’ to that of the sun when he goes forth in his
strength. Adore God as not only infinitely awful and to be feared above all,
but as infinitely amiable and to be loved and delighted in above all. Indeed
God is more powerful than ‘behemoth’.
Website References:
1..Behemoth - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BehemothCached - Similar You +1'd this publicly. Undo Behemoth ( play /bɨˈhiːməθ/ or /ˈbiː.əməθ/, also /ˈbeɪ.əmɔːθ/;
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Book References:
1.Payer To Move Your Mountains, “Powerful Prayers for
The Spirit-Filled Life.” (Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 2000)
2. Practical Psychology for Pastors, William R. Miller, Kathleen
A. Jackson (The University of Mexico), second Edition, Prentice – Hall Inc,
1995,1985, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458.
3. Jay E. Adams, ‘The Christian
Counselor’s Manual, ‘The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan,
1973)
4. John G. Kruis, ‘Quick Scripture
Reference for Counseling; (Grand rapids: Baker Books, Third edition, p. 169-170)
5. David G. Benner & Peter C. Hill, ‘Baker Encyclopaedia of
Psychology & Counseling’ Second Edition, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1985,
1999)
6. Dr. Larry Crabb, “Effective Biblical
Counseling” How Caring Christians can Become Capable Counselors, (Hammersmith:
Marshall Pickering, 1985), p. 100-104).
7.The Matthew Henry Study Bible, ‘King James version’ The
best of Matthew Henry’s Notes in a Handy One Volume Reference Bible, World
Bible Publishers, Inc; 1994, Iowa Falls, U.S.A.
8. Beth Moore, David Seeking A Heart
Like His, Life Way Christian resources, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, pgs:
206-210.
9. Jay E. Adams, ‘Critical Stages of Biblical
Counseling’ Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started, (New Jersey:
Zondervan, 2002)
10. Jay E. Adams, ‘How to Help People
Change’ The Four-step Biblical Process, (Grand rapids: Zondervan, 1986)
11. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A.
Mack & The Master’s College Faculty, ‘Introduction To Biblical Counseling’, “A
Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling”(Nashville: Thomas
Nelson Publishers,1994)
12. Jay E. Adams, ‘Lectures on Counseling’
(Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203)
13. The Holy Bible, New King James version,
Women of Destiny Bible, “Women Mentoring women Through the Scriptures” A
Spirit Filled Life Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee,
Copyright 1982.
14. Stephen D. Eyre, Deuteronomy becoming
Holy People, , p:32-26; IVP connect, An imprint of Intervarsity Press, Downers
Grove, Illinois, 1998, 2004.
15. Metzeger, Bruce M. (ed); Michael D. Coogan
(ed) (1993). The Oxford Companion to the Bible. Oxford, UK: Oxford University
Press. ISBN 0-19-504645-5.
16. Mitchell, Stephen, The Book of Job. San
Francisco: North Point Press. Cited in R. T. Pennock, 1999, Tower of Babel,
Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
[1] Bruce
M. Metzger, Michael D. Coogan, "The Oxford guide to people
& places of the Bible" (Oxford University
Press, 2004), p.33.
[2] K.
van der Toorn, Bob Becking, Pieter Willem van der Hors, "Dictionary
of deities and demons in the Bible", p.166.
[3] Iwanski, Darius (2006), The dynamics
of Job's intercession. Biblical Institute Press, p. 41.
ISBN 9788876531613. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ylRdqCYToJQC&pg=PA41&dq=chaos+deity+++behemoth+leviathan&hl=en&ei=zZdBTcfoB86IhQeup_XeAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&sqi=2&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=chaos%20deity%20%20%20behemoth%20leviathan&f=false
