What was the leviathan the Bible talks about?

from the old testament

• The word "leviathan" comes from the Hebrew word meaning "twisted, coiled," and the creature's name tells us something about its appearance.
• God used the leviathan to illuminate His own power and wisdom to Job. He called the leviathan "a creature without fear" because nothing on earth was its equal, and no man or beast could subdue or overpower leviathan (Job 41:33). It was untamable and terrifying (Job 41:25), and no weapon could pierce its mighty scales (Job 41:13, 15–17, 26, 28–29). The leviathan could break iron in pieces as easily as breaking straw (Job 41:27), and death awaited anyone who approached its mouth (Job 41:18–21).
• Despite the leviathan's great strength, God is greater: He rhetorically pointed out to Job that He could "play with [leviathan] as a bird" and "put him on a leash for your girls" (Job 41:5). The leviathan, as mighty as it was, would "make many pleas" to God and speak to him softly, asking God to make a covenant with him and take him on as a servant (Job 41:1–5). This illustration showed Job that God was far more powerful than the most powerful creature in Job's experience.
• If Job had not been aware of this creature, God's illustration would have made little sense, but Job clearly understood (Job 42:2–6).
• Psalm 74:14 highlights God's dominion and power over Leviathan as He is capable of crushing its heads. The act of giving Leviathan as food for the creatures of the wilderness also implies God's power over Leviathan that serves a purpose. Despite being a formidable creature, it is still subject to God's authority.
• Leviathan is described as one of God's creations in Psalm 104:26, formed to "play" in the sea. It portrays Leviathan not just as a fearsome creature but also as part of the natural world that God has made and sustains. Even seemingly chaotic or dangerous creatures have a place and purpose in God's creation.
• Isaiah 27:1 speaks of a future time when God will punish Leviathan, described as the "fleeing serpent" and the "twisting serpent." The imagery of slaying the dragon in the sea illustrates God’s definitive triumph over chaos and evil.

from the new testament

• The leviathan is not mentioned in the New Testament.

implications for today

Just as God used Leviathan to illustrate His supreme power and wisdom to Job, we are reminded that God remains sovereign over all creation. Despite the overwhelming nature of our problems, God's authority extends beyond any chaos or evil we face. The imagery of God crushing leviathan's heads in Psalm 74:14 signifies His power to overcome even the most daunting obstacles. God’s future promise to punish leviathan further assures us of God’s control over chaos and evil and encourages us that justice and good will prevail. No matter how insurmountable our struggles may seem, God's ultimate triumph and purpose prevail. Our faith is strengthened knowing that just as God demonstrated His supremacy through Leviathan in ancient times, He continues to guide and protect us today, offering hope and reassurance amid life's uncertainties.