Leviathan

Entry 116 quotes Ishmael’s description of the interior of a whale, in which he mentions “leviathan.” Though portrayed in Ishmael’s description as a whale, the Biblical Leviathan is a large sea creature described by God Himself in JOB 41:1-34 as overwhelming, having “mighty power,” “terrible teeth,” “rows of scales” that “cannot be parted,” and “sneezings” that “flash forth light.” God continues in His description of the beast: “Out of his mouth go buring lights; sparks of fire shoot out. Smoke goes out of his nostrils, as from a boiling pot…His breath kindles coals, and a flame goes out of his mouth…Strength dwells in his neck…His heart is as hard as stone, even as hard as the lower millstone. When he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid; because of his crashings they are beside themselves. Though the sword reaches him, it cannot avail; nor does spear, dart, or javelin. He regards iron as straw, and bronze as rotten wood. The arrow cannot make him flee; slingstones become like stubble to him. Darts are regarded as straw; he laughs at the threat of javelins. His undersides are like sharp potsherds; he spreads pointed marks in the mire. He makes the deep boil like a pot…He leaves a shining wake behind him…On earth there is nothing like him, which is made without fear. He beholds every high thing; he is king over all the children of pride” (JOB 41:19-34). Leviathan is also mentioned in PSALM 74:14, PSALM 104:26, and ISAIAH 27:1 as well as chapter 81 of the novel.