The leviathan is a creature most associated with religion. It is mentioned in the Bible several times as an enormous, whale-like creature who causes destruction in the sea. It later became seen as a symbol for evil and devilish powers that will be destroyed on Judgment Day[1].
Many scholars today characterize the leviathan as being as mundane , which is a type of animal such as goats, eagles, and hawks. The animal that is most often proposed for the Leviathan is the Nile crocodile, which is also aquatic, scaly, and has fierce teeth[2]. Others think that it could not possibly be related to the crocodile because it is also described as having multiple heads and breathing fire which are, of course, not qualities crocodiles possess.
Origin: The leviathan was derived from the Canaanite Loton, and that he is related to the Babylonian Tiamat and the Greek Hydra[3]. Also, according to a midrash, god produced a male and female leviathan. After he realized the multiplying of their species would destroy the world, he slewed the female and reserved her flesh for the banquet that would be given to the righteous on the advent of the Messiah.
Appearance: The leviathan is an enormous creature with a whale-like body covered in armor. It has large teeth and is covered in scales. Some sources say that it has seven heads.
Influences On The Modern Day: The leviathan is not nearly as popular now as they used to be. They are simply mentioned in books such as In Search of Prehistoric Survivors[4]. Leviathan is also a monstrous creature that can be found in Final Fantasy© games.
[1] Pantheon.org: “Leviathan” by Micha F. Lindemans
[2] Wikipedia.org: Leviathan
[3] Demons.monstrous.com: Leviathan
[4] In Search of Prehistoric Survivors by Karl Shuker ©
