What Does the Bible Say About Dinosaurs — In Biblical Context
The Bible doesn't use the word 'dinosaur,' but descriptions of creatures like Behemoth (Job 40) and Leviathan (Job 41) may reference large extinct animals.
The Bible doesn't use the word 'dinosaur,' but descriptions of creatures like Behemoth (Job 40) and Leviathan (Job 41) may reference large extinct animals.
"Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron." — Job 40:15-18 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
The term 'dinosaur' was coined in 1841, so it doesn't appear in Scripture. However, the Bible describes remarkable creatures that some scholars associate with dinosaurs. Job 40:15-24 describes Behemoth with a 'tail like a cedar,' bones like 'bars of iron,' and the ability to drink up a river — a description that doesn't match any known living animal. Job 41 describes Leviathan as a fearsome sea creature with impenetrable scales. Genesis 1 records God creating all land animals and sea creatures, which would include any species that has since gone extinct. While some interpret these passages as describing a hippopotamus or crocodile, others argue the descriptions far exceed any living animal. What's clear is that God created all creatures, including those now extinct, and His sovereign power over creation includes all species throughout earth's history.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Job 40:15-18, sits inside Job 40. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron."
Supporting Passages
"And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind."
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