Among the ancient civilizations there are myths about dragons. The Babylonian creation myth contains a battle between Merodach and a dragon (Tiamet). The destruction of this dragon turns into the creation of the earth and the ascendancy of Merodach.
Another of these myths is about a seven-headed dragon named Lotan or Leviathan. During excavations at a site called Ugarit (modern day Ras-Shamra) there was a tablet found bearing a story concerning “Baal and Anat” which dates back to 1400 BC. In the text there is found this ref to the Leviathan: “Didst thou not smite Leviathan, the swift serpent, even the crooked serpent? Didst thou not break in pieces his seven heads?”1
This creature is probably to be associated with the Canaanite god, Yamm, who is the god of seas and rivers. He does battle with Baal and is destroyed. This battle is thought to be represented by winter storms that subside in the spring time.
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Author: George Booker
Keywords: Leviathan, Rahab, Crooked Dragon, Great dragon, Serpent, Smite Leviathan, Swift serpent, Dragon
Bible reference(s): 2 Kings 18:4, Job 3:8, Job 26:13, Job 40:18-21, Job 41:1, Job 41:5, Psa. 74:13-14, Psa. 89:10, Psalms 104:26, Isa. 26:21, Isa. 27:1-2, Ezekiel 29:3, Ezekiel 32:2, Rev. 12:3, 2 Esdras 6:49, 2 Esdras 6:52
Source: “Leviathan”.
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