What
is this creature that is referred to
in
the Bible as having a tail like a cedar tree?
The Book of Job [40:15-24] talks of a "behemoth". We were very curious of the description comparing its tail to a cedar tree because this doesn't fit easily with any animal we know of today. So, we set out to review the various Bible translations which have widely differing descriptions of this animal. Some have footnotes stating that it is, or might be, a hippopotamus (see NAB, NIV, NASB below). Others say it might be an elephant (see NIV below). Creationists point to these verses in their laughable argument that dinosaurs existed with Man and were created by God for Man's pleasure. They note that the animal is described as having a tail like a cedar and believe this is proof that dinosaurs were known in biblical times.
Some Bible translations appear to be saying that it is one animal being referred to in the entire section of Job [40:15-24]. Others claim there are two types of animals being referred to here. First, the "Behemoth" in Job [40:15:18]. Second, are "all the beasts of the field" in Job [40:20-24]. The second type are interpreted as the Leviathan (or sea monster) or others see it as a crocodile.
All of these Bible translations are suspect, however, because the Hebrew word being referred to here is 'lilith'. Bible scholars refer to this word as a hapax legomenon (a word that occurs only once in the Hebrew Bible). Without a direct translation from Hebrew, it is nearly impossible to know the meaning. And, we have no help by looking at other uses of the word 'lilith' because it appears only once.
So, what is the Behemoth? We have no idea! The following describes our findings from many of the available English Bible translations. If nothing else, it's a good example of the problem with translations and the liberty some translators take in providing their biased interpretations; especially the New Living Translation (NLT) where they went far beyond providing a translation and changed entire meanings to fit the modern world.
THE BEHEMOTH
- Hippopotamus (or 'river ox'): In NAB, NIV, NASB: The "Behemoth" is referred to in footnotes as a hippopotamus. However, hippos have tiny, worthless tails. It doesn't conjure up the image of a tail like a cedar tree. The NAB interprets verse 24's 'eyes and nose' as the only exposed parts of the submerged beast (i.e. a hippopotamus). The NLT took the blatant liberty of actually changing the word "behemoth" to "hippopotamus"! And, to clear up confusion about the behemoth's tail, the NLT changed "moved", "swayed", or "carried" (referring to its tail) to the "tail is as straight as a cedar".
- Dinosaur: Many creationists have made their own interpretation and are promoting that this behemoth is proof that dinosaurs and man existed together (e.g. [7], [8]). They state that this verse doesn't bring to mind the tail of a hippopotamus, but it does fit well with gigantic sauropods and Tyrannosaurus-type dinosaurs such as the Allosaurus. (You see, creationists have a dilemma with fossil evidence and its age. Therefore, they must find their "evidence" that dinosaurs existed with Man or their views fall apart.)
- Elephant: In NIV: However, don't elephants also have tiny, worthless tails? Again, not quite the image of a swaying cedar tree. But, the NIV has another note that says that the cedar might be the elephant's trunk. They certainly took some interpretational liberty here because the verse clearly states "tail" in "His tail sways like a cedar", not his trunk!
ALL
THE BEASTS OF THE FIELD
- Leviathan (or sea monster): In NASB, it has a footnote on the "beasts of the field" pointing to Psalm [104:26] where the Leviathan (or sea monster) is discussed. It says, "There the ships move along, and Leviathan, ...". This clearly doesn't agree with any of the fresh-water or land-dwelling animals of other Bible translations. And, we're confused by "beasts of the field" being interpreted as a sea monster!
- Crocodile: Others have interpreted the behemoth as a crocodile rather than a hippo or leviathan (sea monster). They point to the fact that the eyes and nose are referred to in some Bible translations and this agrees with how a crocodile rests in the water. But again, we are confused about why a water dwelling creature would be referred to as "beasts of the field"! And, does a crocodile's tail really "sway like a cedar tree"? Another confusing fact is that all translations of verse 15 we looked at state that the Behemoth eats grass like an ox. Have you ever seen a crocodile eating grass?
We were interested in these passages because of the description of an animal moving his tail like a cedar. In the end, we found that we have more questions than answers. Disregarding the untranslatable 'lilith' of the Hebrew bible, we still wonder how accurate the translation is that any animal moved its tail like a cedar. This chapter of Job does refer to a confident animal and a raging river - Could it be that it is simply making the analogy that the raging river was like a massive tail moving back and forth and the animal was tranquil even in this environment? But, for now, we leave this question to the Bible scholars. On again, however, the many translations of the Bible prove that they do NOT offer the 'answers' as promoted by Christians, but just generate additional questions and confusion; and require great stretches in metaphorical interpretations to make any sense of it whatsoever.
Below, you will find Job [40:15-24] from the various translations found in available English translations of the Bible. They are presented here so you can draw your own conclusions rather than accepting ours or anyone else's.
American Standard Version (ASV), 1901 [1]
15 Behold now, behemoth, which I made as well as thee; He eateth grass as an ox.
16 Lo now, his strength is in his loins, And his force is in the muscles of his belly.
17 He moveth his tail like a cedar: The sinews of his thighs are knit together.
18 His bones are [as] tubes of brass; His limbs are like bars of iron.
19 He is the chief of the ways of God: He [only] that made him giveth him his sword.
20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, Where all the beasts of the field do play.
21 He lieth under the lotus-trees, In the covert of the reed, and the fen.
22 The lotus-trees cover him with their shade; The willows of the brook compass him about.
23 Behold, if a river overflow, he trembleth not; He is confident, though a Jordan swell even to his mouth.
24 Shall any take him when he is on the watch, Or pierce through his nose with a snare? "
New American Bible (NAB), 1970 [2]
15 See, besides you I made Behemoth, that feeds on grass like an ox. (1)
16 Behold the strength in his loins, and his vigor in the sinews of his belly.
17 He carries his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are like cables.
18 His bones are like tubes of bronze; his frame is like iron rods.
19 He came at the beginning of God's ways, and was made the taskmaster of his fellows;
20 For the produce of the mountains is brought to him, and of all wild animals he makes sport.
21 Under the lotus trees he lies, in coverts of the reedy swamp.
22 The lotus trees cover him with their shade; all about him are the poplars on the bank.
23 If the river grows violent, he is not disturbed; he is tranquil though the torrent surges about his mouth.
24 Who can capture him by his eyes, or pierce his nose with a trap? (2)Notes:
1. Behemoth: the hippopotamus.
2. Eyes . . . nose: the only exposed parts of the submerged beast.
New International Version (NIV), 1973-1978. [3]
15 "Look at the behemoth, (1) which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox.
16 What strength he has in his loins, what power in the muscles of his belly!
17 His tail (2) sways like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are close-knit.
18 His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like rods of iron.
19 He ranks first among the works of God, yet his Maker can approach him with his sword.
20 The hills bring him their produce, and all the wild animals play nearby.
21 Under the lotus plants he lies, hidden among the reeds in the marsh.
22 The lotuses conceal him in their shadow; the poplars by the stream surround him.
23 When the river rages, he is not alarmed; he is secure, though the Jordan should surge against his mouth.
24 Can anyone capture him by the eyes, (3) or trap him and pierce his nose?Notes:
1. Possibly the hippopotamus or the elephant
2. Possibly trunk
3. Or by a water hole
King James Version (KJV), 1604. [4]
15 Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
16 Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
17 He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
18 His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
19 He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.
20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
21 He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
22 The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.
23 Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.
24 He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
New American Standard Bible (NASB), 1995. [5]
15 Behold now, Behemoth (1), which I made as well as you; he eats grass like an ox.
16 Behold now, his strength in his loins; and his power in the muscles of his belly.
17 He bends his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together.
18 His bones are tubes of bronze; his limbs are like bars of iron.
19 He is the first of the ways of God; let his maker bring near his sword.
20 Surely the mountains bring him food, and all the beasts of the field play there. (2)
21 Under the lotus plants he lies down, in the covert of the reeds and the marsh.
22 The lotus plants cover him with shade; the willows of the brook surround him.
23 If a river rages, he is not alarmed; he is confident, though the Jordan rushes to his mouth.
24 Can anyone capture him when he is on watch, with barbs can anyone pierce his nose?Notes:
1. Or the hippopotamus.
2. There is a footnote pointing to Psalm [104:26]. It is discussing the Leviathan (or sea monster) and says, "There the ships move along, and Leviathan, which You have formed to sport in it." Other bible translations have interpreted this as a crocodile, not a sea monster.
New Living Translation (NLT), 1996. [5]
15 Take a look at the mighty hippopotamus. (1) I made it, just as I made you. It eats grass like an ox.
16 See its powerful loins and the muscles of its belly.
17 Its tail is as straight as a cedar. The sinews of its thighs are tightly knit together.
18 Its bones are tubes of bronze. Its limbs are bars of iron.
19 It is a prime example of God's amazing handiwork. Only its Creator can threaten it.
20 The mountains offer it their best food, where all the wild animals play.
21 It lies down under the lotus plants, hidden by the reeds.
22 The lotus plants give it shade among the willows beside the stream.
23 It is not disturbed by raging rivers, not even when the swelling Jordan rushes down upon it.
24 No one can catch it off guard or put a ring in its nose and lead it away.Notes:
1. Hebrew at behemoth. This translation took the blatant liberty of changing the word "behemoth" to "hippopotamus"!
References:
1 "American Standard Version (ASV): The Book of Job", 1901 ed., Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL), URL: http://www.ccel.org/bible/asv/Job.htm
2 "New American Bible (NAB): Job Chapter 40", copyright © 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, URL: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/job/job40.htm
3 "New International Version (NIV): Job Chapter 40", 1973-1978, Over a hundred scholars working from the best available Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts, The Bible Gateway, URL: http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=JOB+40&language=english&version=NIV
4 "King James Version (KJV): Job Chapter 40", 1604, King James I of England authorized the new translation of the Bible into English, The Bible Gateway, URL: http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=JOB+40&language=english&version=kjv
5 "New American Standard Bible (NASB): Job Chapter 40", 1995, Changed ASV's grammar and terminology to contemporary English, URL: http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=JOB+40&language=english&version=NASB
6 "New Living Translation (NLT): Job Chapter 40", 1996, Tyndale House Publishers, Translated entire thoughts (rather than just words) into natural, everyday English. The end result is a translation that is easy to read and understand, but changed massively from the original words! URL: http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=JOB+40&language=english&version=NLT
7 "Behemoth as a Dinosaur", The Young Earth Creation Club, URL: http://www.creationists.org/dinosaurs.html
8 "Was the 'BEHEMOTH' of Job 40:15 a Dinosaur?" by Wayne Jackson, M.A., Apologetics Press, URL: http://www.apologeticspress.org/rr/faq/r&r8612b.htm
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Ethical Atheist
[Created: 05/15/2002]
[Last Update: 05/16/2002]
[Created: 05/15/2002]
[Last Update: 05/16/2002]