The Bible contains many references to real and mythological creatures. While some of these creatures are clearly fictional, others have generated debate among scholars about whether they could represent real animals that existed at the time the books of the Bible were written.
Here is an overview of some of the main mythological creatures mentioned in the Bible:
Leviathan
The Leviathan is described as a monstrous sea creature or dragon in several books of the Old Testament, including Job, Psalms, Isaiah and Amos. It is usually portrayed as a serpent-like or crocodile-like creature that dwells in the sea. Some key references include:
- “In that day the Lord with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea.” (Isaiah 27:1)
- “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?” (Job 41:1-2)
- “You divided the sea by your might; you broke the heads of the sea monsters on the waters. You crushed the heads of Leviathan.” (Psalm 74:13-14)
There has been debate about whether the Leviathan represents an actual animal like a crocodile, or whether it is a purely mythological creature. Some scholars believe it was inspired by the Canaanite sea monster Lotan or the Babylonian sea goddess Tiamat. The descriptions of its appearance and abilities, such as breathing fire, make it appear legendary in nature.
Behemoth
The Book of Job contains a detailed description of a creature called the Behemoth, which has traits similar to a hippopotamus or elephant but seems larger than life:
- “Behold, Behemoth, which I made as I made you; he eats grass like an ox. Behold, his strength in his loins, and his power in the muscles of his belly. He makes his tail stiff like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together. His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like bars of iron.” (Job 40:15-18)
While some think the Behemoth could represent a real, albeit exaggerated animal, others view it as a mythical creature. The description makes it sound like a mighty beast beyond any known to humans at the time.
Satyrs
Satyrs are mythological half-man, half-goat creatures associated with the Greek god Pan. The prophet Isaiah references satyrs living in Babylon after its destruction:
- “Wild beasts will dwell with hyenas in Babylon’s ruins, and ostriches will inhabit her, never again to be peopled or inhabited throughout all generations. Like the satyrs who dance there.” (Isaiah 13:19-21)
Since satyrs are part of Greek mythology, this reference is likely symbolic rather than literal. However, it demonstrates that the ancient Israelites were familiar with pagan mythological tales.
Cockatrice
The cockatrice is presented in some verses as a serpent-like creature that can kill with a glance. It seems to draw upon mythological traditions of basilisks or other mythical reptiles:
- “The weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples – of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.” (Isaiah 11:8-10)
- “For behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. And I will multiply people on you, the whole house of Israel, all of it. The cities shall be inhabited and the waste places rebuilt. And I will multiply on you man and beast, and they shall multiply and be fruitful. And I will cause you to be inhabited as in your former times, and will do more good to you than ever before. Then you will know that I am the Lord. I will let people walk on you, even my people Israel. And they shall possess you, and you shall be their inheritance, and you shall no longer bereave them of children.” Thus says the Lord God: “Because they say to you, ‘You devour people, and you bereave your nation of children,’ therefore you shall no longer devour people and no longer bereave your nation of children,” declares the Lord God. “And I will not let you hear anymore the reproach of the nations, and you shall no longer bear the disgrace of the peoples and no longer cause your nation to stumble,” declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 36:9-15)
The cockatrice is likely drawn from legend and symbolizes evil in these texts, rather than representing an actual creature.
Unicorn
A handful of verses in the King James Version of the Bible refer to a unicorn, such as:
- “God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.” (Numbers 23:22)
- “His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth.” (Deuteronomy 33:17)
However, it is widely believed that the word “unicorn” is a mistranslation of the Hebrew word re’em, which refers to the aurochs, a now extinct species of wild ox. Later English translations usually substitute words like wild ox. So the unicorn mentions likely do not refer to the mythical single-horned horse creature.
Dragons
Dragons are mentioned at several points in the Bible, generally symbolizing chaos or evil. Some examples include:
- “Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself.” (Ezekiel 29:3)
- “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.” (Revelation 12:3)
- “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:2)
Given the mythical context, Bible scholars agree these dragons are symbolic and do not represent actual creatures. The dragon is linked to Satan and evil forces.
Seraphim and Cherubim
These two types of angels described in the Bible have unusual features that can seem mythical or chimeric. Seraphim are six-winged angels associated with fire and light:
- “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.” (Isaiah 6:1-2)
Cherubim are often depicted as winged creatures with lions’ bodies and human faces. However, the Bible does not offer a consistent physical description. They are associated with the divine presence and glory:
- “So they brought in the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord and distributed to all Israel, both men and women, to each a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.” (1 Chronicles 16:1-3)
- “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” (Ezekiel 28:13-15)
While containing mythic elements, seraphim and cherubim are presented as real entities, not imaginary creatures.
Nephilim
The Nephilim are mysterious giants mentioned in Genesis 6 before the story of Noah’s ark. Few details are provided about them:
- “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.” (Genesis 6:4)
They are also referenced in Numbers:
- “And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.”” (Numbers 13:33)
There has been much speculation about the origin and nature of the Nephilim. They have inspired many later mythologies about giants. While they seem legendary, some Bible scholars believe they were a real people group of unusually large stature.
Tannin
The tannin is another sea monster reference, similar to the Leviathan:
- “Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. You divided the sea by your might; you broke the heads of the sea monsters on the waters. You crushed the heads of Leviathan; you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.” (Psalm 74:12-14)
Some translate it as “dragon” or “serpent.” It is depicted as a chaotic creature that God has power over. Like the Leviathan, it likely represents mythological influences more than a real animal.
Cockatrice
The cockatrice is presented in some verses as a serpent-like creature that can kill with a glance. It seems to draw upon mythological traditions of basilisks or other mythical reptiles:
- “The weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.” (Isaiah 11:8-10)
- “For behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. And I will multiply people on you, the whole house of Israel, all of it. The cities shall be inhabited and the waste places rebuilt. And I will multiply on you man and beast, and they shall multiply and be fruitful. And I will cause you to be inhabited as in your former times, and will do more good to you than ever before. Then you will know that I am the Lord. I will let people walk on you, even my people Israel. And they shall possess you, and you shall be their inheritance, and you shall no longer bereave them of children.” Thus says the Lord God: “Because they say to you, ‘You devour people, and you bereave your nation of children,’ therefore you shall no longer devour people and no longer bereave your nation of children,” declares the Lord God. “And I will not let you hear anymore the reproach of the nations, and you shall no longer bear the disgrace of the peoples and no longer cause your nation to stumble,” declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 36:9-15)
The cockatrice is likely drawn from legend and symbolizes evil in these texts, rather than representing an actual creature.
Griffins and Four-Headed Creatures
Griffins, which have the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle, are mythological creatures of ancient Persian origin. However, some Bible translations including the King James Version mention griffins:
- “And theowl, and the griffon, and the hawk after its kind.” (Deuteronomy 14:15)
Modern scholars believe this is a mistranslation of the Hebrew word ra’ah, which refers to dove or vulture like birds. So griffins were likely not really referred to.
Similarly, the four-headed leopard mentioned in Daniel 7:6 is thought to be a allegorical hybrid, not a real animal. The four heads represent four kingdoms.
So while legendary creatures occur in translations or visions, they ultimately serve symbolic purposes.
Mythical Birds
The Bible makes references to various legendary birds, including the phoenix in Job 29:
- “Who are those who darken counsel by words without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ 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 42:3-6)
Given the context, the phoenix was likely used symbolically to represent renewal or restoration. Other mythic birds appear in Revelation:
- “And I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.” (Revelation 19:17-20)
The mythic aspects help convey the otherworldly nature of the visions and events described.
Conclusion
While a few real animals like crocodiles or vultures may have inspired some creature descriptions in the Bible, most mythical creatures serve an allegorical role. They help communicate spiritual truths and visions through vivid imagery that captures the imagination. Whether literal or symbolic, these beasts illustrate that the ancient world that produced the Bible texts was very much immersed in mythological lore, as creative expressions of human hopes, fears and dreams.