I am going to surprise some people this week because my Christmas weekend article is not about Christmas! In fact, it is about a possible discovery of a Biblical Leviathan (If you missed my Christmas article, just look for last week’s post).
I am always intrigued when people find ancient evidence that is connected to the Biblical account. Sometimes a unique archeological site is uncovered that refers to a specific person or place that is recorded in Scripture (i.e. Tel Dan stele). In other instances, an ancient manuscript is uncovered that confirms one of the authors of Scripture (i.e. Dead Sea Scrolls). Rarely is something discovered from the ancient animal world that is tied to the Bible, but that is exactly what I read about last week!
The article I read mentioned the discovery of the remains of a huge sea creature in the cliffs of southern England (https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-67650247). The animal is being referred to as a pliosaur, which was a massive marine reptile that used its 130 dagger-like teeth to demolish its prey. In the spring of 2022, the skull of the sea monster was discovered and later removed intact from the black cliffs that line the coast near Dorset, England.
This particular skull measures 2 meters (6.5 ft) in length and it is believed to have had a biting force of 33,000 newtons which is comparable to that of a Tyrannosaurus Rex (45,000 newtons). Just to put that in context, a crocodile has 16,000 newtons of force and a dog has 1,000 newtons. One of the reasons given for such a strong biting force comes from a paleobiologist named Emily Rayfield. She examined the large circular openings at the back of the skull, which she determined reveal the size of the muscles which were used for “operating the jaws of the pliosaur.”
Answers in Genesis, the organization that is connected with the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky also wrote an article about the discovery of this marine creature (https://answersingenesis.org/dinosaurs/types/meet-leviathan/). The title of the article is “Meet Leviathan – Was the Skull of an Ancient Leviathan Found in Dorset?” The article draws attention to different aspects of the discovery that link it with the Biblical account of Leviathan.
The Bible describes a Leviathan in five different places, including the book of Job (3:8, 41:1), Psalms (74:14, 104:26), and Isaiah 27:1. The book of Job contains the most famous description of Leviathan because it includes an entire chapter about the sea creature. Job 41 says, “Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook or press down his tongue with a cord? Can you put a rope in his nose or pierce his jaw with a hook?” The chapter describes the creatures incredibly tough skin, his terrifying teeth and mouth, and strong neck (18-21). Job 41:22 reads, “In his neck abides strength, and terror dances before him.” Every article I read about the sea creature made reference to its incredible biting force, which would have required massive neck muscles. That is one reason I thought it was interesting that all the research about this creature mentions its incredible neck. The biting force of this creature made it untouchable!
That is one reason God used the Leviathan as an example when he wanted to humble Job. God used the example of the Leviathan to prove that Job was a weak, finite creature. Job was not to question God. He needed to submit to God and recognize God’s power extended from physical strength to sovereign strength as well. Job’s response to God is a helpful reminder of how we should respond to Him. Job said, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6)
I am not sure if the pliosaur found in Dorset is the Leviathan of the Bible, but it certainly has characteristics that make me think of the Bible’s account. That is one reason I wanted to write about it today. As Christians, we should not be surprised when discoveries are made that confirm the Biblical account. The Bible is history and thus we will continue to learn of discoveries that line up with what was accurately recorded in God’s holy word.
