Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About What does the bible say about dinosaurs?
The Bible addresses what does the bible say about dinosaurs in both the Old and New Testament. Here is what scripture teaches about what does the bible say about dinosaurs and how these 8 passages apply to Christian life today.
Exploring 8 Key Passages
1. Job 40:15-17
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.KJV
Many believe this describes a large dinosaur-like creature, as no modern animal matches this description of having a tail like a cedar tree. The behemoth appears to be a massive land animal that God created alongside humans.
2. Job 41:1-3
Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn? Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?KJV
Leviathan is described as a fearsome sea creature that cannot be caught or tamed by man. Some interpret this as describing a marine reptile similar to ancient sea dinosaurs or plesiosaurs.
3. Job 41:18-21
By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.KJV
This vivid description of Leviathan breathing fire has led some to consider whether this could describe a dragon-like dinosaur. The imagery suggests a creature far beyond any known modern animal.
4. Genesis 1:21
And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.KJV
The Hebrew word 'tanniym' translated as 'whales' can also mean 'great sea monsters' or 'dragons.' This verse establishes that God created all large sea creatures, which could include marine dinosaurs.
5. Genesis 1:24-25
And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.KJV
This passage describes God creating all land animals, which would include dinosaurs if they existed. It establishes that all creatures were made by God according to their kinds.
6. Psalm 104:25-26
So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.KJV
This psalm mentions Leviathan as a real creature that God made to dwell in the sea. It suggests this was a large marine animal that coexisted with human maritime activity.
7. Isaiah 27:1
In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.KJV
This prophetic verse mentions both Leviathan and dragons as real creatures that God will judge. The language suggests these were known creatures, possibly referring to large reptilian beasts.
8. Psalm 148:7
Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps.KJV
This verse calls upon dragons to praise the Lord, suggesting they were real creatures known to the psalmist. Some interpret this as evidence that large reptilian creatures coexisted with humans in biblical times.
Summary
Key Takeaways About What does the bible say about dinosaurs
- Many believe this describes a large dinosaur-like creature, as no modern animal matches this description of having a tail like a cedar tree.
- Leviathan is described as a fearsome sea creature that cannot be caught or tamed by man.
- This vivid description of Leviathan breathing fire has led some to consider whether this could describe a dragon-like dinosaur.
- The Hebrew word 'tanniym' translated as 'whales' can also mean 'great sea monsters' or 'dragons.
- This passage describes God creating all land animals, which would include dinosaurs if they existed.
- This psalm mentions Leviathan as a real creature that God made to dwell in the sea.
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