A faithful CLCer writes, “Were there dinosaurs in the Bible? We have been taught in school about their existence. I Googled the question and was led to Job 40:15 where it references Behemoth and the description seems to be “dinosaur like”. Are there other animals or proof that dinosaurs ever existed?”
Since I’ve been out of town at two different conferences this week, I asked our ‘resident theologian’, Dr. James Garrett, to handle this one for me, and here is his reply:
This is an interesting question because it reveals some differences in language and language development. The term “dinosaur” is a relatively recent word derived from the Greek words “deino” meaning “fearfully great or terrible” and “saur/sauros” meaning “lizard (or generalized reptile).” So, we will not see the word “dinosaur” itself contained in most Bibles. We do, however, see three particular words that DO give us insight into the modern term “dinosaur.” Interestingly, these words are “behemoth,” “leviathan,” and “dragon.” Based on our current knowledge, “behemoth” probably refers to a hippopotamus and this reference probably excludes “behemoth” from being a dinosaur (although that CAN be argues as well.) “Leviathan” probably refers to some type of water monster and is often thought of as a crocodile (from Egyptian Nile River resources.) The thought of a crocodile will certainly reference a dinosaur because some scientists even think of the crocodile as being a modern day dinosaur. The word often translated as “dragon” also is usually in reference to a serpent or sea serpent, and again, will qualify as a dinosaur.
The bottom line is this: dinosaurs DID exist in the Bible, even though the name of such is NOT reflected. They were part of God’s original six-days creation and DID co-exist with humankind. There have been recent archaeological findings in Texas (and other areas) where dinosaur foot prints and human foot prints are seen together in the same strata. This is a good indication of their co-existence. And, as mentioned previously, there are some animals alive today that indicate to us that all dinosaurs did not die out in the flood or otherwise; again, I reference the crocodile as well as certain lizard and lizard-like creatures.
The deeper truth is this: God’s Word has been faithfully transmitted to the 21st century, even if the language has changed since its original transmission. Dinosaurs did exist and their existence is recognition of God’s creation process as well as the truth of Noah and the flood. Although dinosaurs are highly referenced in scientific circles regarding the evolutionary processes, that does not negate their reality nor their Biblical existence.
I hope this helps. It is short but keep in mind, large tomes have been written regarding dinosaurs and the Bible.
Thanks, Pastor Jim – I also hope that helped. Now, what would YOU like to ask the pastor?
Pastor I found and interesting site which addresses the question. http://Www.dinosandhumans.com
Someone recommended this website for additional info: http://www.creationevidence.org
I studied Creation Science in Bible School and have also taught it in our Bible School here in the Philippines for the past 14 years. I’ll paste a few useful links here . . .
http://184.154.224.5/~creatio1/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=48&Itemid=24
I have seen the above section of rock in person at this museum in Glen Rose, Texas. It shows a human footprint which went into the soft soil first, followed by a dinosaur footprint which came later. The soil eventually petrified and the rock was uncovered from the bank of the Paluxy River near Glen Rose. The section pictured was cut out and is in the Creation Evidence Museum. I believe these prints would have been made shortly before the Flood came upon the earth in the time of Noah. There is MUCH other evidence for Creation at this museum.
Another site that discusses plesiosaurs as still living in the seas of the world today is here– http://www.livingdinos.com/plesiosaurs.html
There was even a plesiosaur found dead, floating in Philippine waters near Burias Island in the late 1990s. Locals preserved the bones and cartilage and it was featured in a national newspaper every day for a week when the news hit the media. So, YES, dinosaurs very much existed in Bible days and a few of them (mostly living in the oceans) are still around. Most would have died in in the Flood and the small ones who would have gone onto the Ark, but would have had a difficult time surviving in the colder conditions and lower atmospheric pressure on Earth after the Flood.
Another dinosaur creature mentioned in the Bible is Leviathan (Job 41:1-34). It’s also referenced In Psalm 74 where Yahweh is said to “break the heads of Leviathan in pieces” before giving his flesh to the people of the wilderness; in Psalm 104 Yahweh is praised for having made all things, including Leviathan; and in Isaiah 27:1 he is called the “wriggling serpent” who will be killed at the end of time. Clearly, Leviathan (though I believe he was a real dinosaur creature) was also symbolic of Satan, just at there are animals that were symbolic of Jesus (eg.– Lamb and Lion)
One more thought– If we believe in Jesus, we must believe His words that acknowledge Creation and His involvement in it (John 1:1-3 & Colossians 1:16-17) and which refer to stories like that of Noah and the Flood (Matthew 24:37-39) being very real. He even verified the story of Jonah being in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights (Matt. 12:40). Jesus believed all of the Old Testament and we should, too. I say that because there are so-called “Christian Evolutionists” out there and I can’t think of more of an oxymoron than that term, because Christ created the world and everything in it and nothing that was made evolved out of the primordial mud as we are told in our great learning institutions.
Grace & Peace,
Ken Sandberg, Pastor
Church 153
Davao, Philippines