Leviathan

Leviathan is the name of a sea monster that is defeated by God at the beginning of creation (Psalm 74:14). This dragon or snake symbolises the primordial sea and the powers of chaos. In the apocalyptic literature, it is said that the dragon will break free again at the end of time, but that God will then defeat it once and for all (Isaiah 27:1).

There is a similar sea monster in the Old Testament named Rahab.

In Job 40:25–41:26 there is a detailed description of Leviathan. For a long time it was thought that Leviathan was not a monster in this text, but a crocodile. However, it becomes clear from the description that in these chapters we are also dealing with a mythological monster (see Job 41:11-13).