Bible Question:
What is the meaning of the dragon in the Bible?
Bible Answer:
There are two different dragons in the Bible. The first one, called Leviathan, is found in the Old Testament and the second one, Satan, occurs in the New Testament in the book of Revelation. Let us now discover what is the meaning of the dragon in the Bible?
Leviathan is Called a Dragon
There are a number of passages in the Old Testament about the dragon called Leviathan (Job 3:8; Job 41:1-34; Psalms 74:13-14; Psalms 104:25-26; and Isaiah 27:1). The major passage is found in Job. Some believe Leviathan was an elephant or a crocodile, but there are problems with that conclusion because of key descriptions of Leviathan.
This is a description of an animal and not a person. The animal sounds like the Loch Ness monster in the British Isles that so many claim to have seen. Was or is he real? Henry M. Morris, a highly respected scientist, believes it was a dinosaur. Skeletal remains of such an animal exist – a sea animal with a long neck.
What is the meaning of the dragon? The dragon reveals the awesome power of God. Job 41:33 says,
Nothing on earth is like him, One made without fear. He looks on everything that is high; He is king over all the sons of pride. Job 41:33-34 (NASB)
There was nothing else on earth like him. God made him mightier, stronger and more fierce than anything, including man. God used the leviathan to remind us that there is no one else like Himself. There is only one God (Isaiah 45:6) and He is all powerful. It is He who makes the sick, lame, the blind and the deaf (Exodus 4:11). There is no one else who can do that, and there is only one God who can kill the powerful and feared Leviathan (Psalm 74:14).
Satan is Called a Dragon
Satan is called a dragon in the book of Revelation. He is described in Revelation 12:3, 4, 7, 9, 13, 17; 13:1, 2, 4, 11; 16:13 and 20:2. Revelation 20:2 tells us the dragon is the devil or Satan. The dragon appears to symbolize power (Revelation 13:2) and again God conquers with power (Revelation 20:2). Satan is an evil angel (Ezekiel 28:14), a created being – a cherub who used to live in heaven with God. In Revelation the term dragon is another name for Satan and is also symbolic of Satan’s real power.
Conclusion:
Satan and leviathan are powerful beings. Satan is a created, powerful angel who turned to evil and was then removed from heaven. Leviathan was a powerful animal of the sea. Scripture reminds us that God is greater than any spiritual or physical being. There is nothing like God on earth, in heaven or anywhere else. All glory be to God!
Suggested Links:
Searching For GodIs Leviathan a crocodile or a dragon?
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Is Satan a serpent, dragon, devil or a cherubim? — The Evil One
Is Satan standing on the beach in Revelation 13:1?