When it comes to fascinating and mysterious creatures, few can rival the allure of sea monsters.
How else could you explain the hordes of people gathering in northern Scotland this weekend for what will be the largest search for the Loch Ness monster since at least the early 1970s?
These beings of the deep have been the subjects of myths, legends, and tales for as long as humans have gazed upon the deep dark depths.
But did you know that many modern perceptions of sea monsters have their roots in ancient biblical texts?
Whether monsters such as Nessie are directly inspired by biblical forebears is up for debate, but the fact remains that humans hunting (or running from) monsters of the high seas is a tale that dates back to the Old Testament – and perhaps even further than that.
Sea Monsters in the Bible
The Leviathan
One of the most famous sea creatures in the Bible, the Leviathan is described in the Book of Job as a formidable creature with fearsome teeth, impenetrable scales, and the ability to spew fire.
Leviathan appears in the Old Testament in Psalms 74:14, described as a multiheaded sea serpent. God kills the beast and offers it to the Hebrews as food. In Isaiah 27:1, Leviathan is portrayed as a serpent figure – a symbol of Israel’s enemies – who will be struck down by God.
While many theories speculate its origins – ranging from a crocodile to a mythical beast – most scholars lean towards it being a large sea creature, perhaps an ancient whale or a giant sea serpent.
The Behemoth
Though technically a land monster, the Behemoth is also worth noting, as it is often associated with the Leviathan.
The term "Behemoth" originates from the Hebrew word "behemet", signifying "beast" or "massive creature". In biblical context, "Behemoth" represents a demonic entity, symbolizing a tainted creature and unholy spirit.
Detailed in the Book of Job, the Behemoth has a tail that moves like a cedar and bones as strong as iron, many believe it might be inspired by a hippopotamus, a dinosaur, or another large terrestrial animal.
Where Did These Stories Come From?
There are several popular theories regarding the origin of biblical sea monster stories.
The first is that early humans, upon seeing large sea creatures such as whales, giant squids, or large sharks, exaggerated their characteristics in tales, leading to the birth of sea monsters in religious and cultural narratives.
Another theory holds that in ancient cultures, chaotic and wild forces were often symbolized by the sea. Thus, sea monsters could have been metaphorical representations of chaos, disorder, or threats that early societies felt.
From Biblical Seas to Scottish Lochs
Fast-forward to modern times, and the legacy of these ancient Bible sea monsters can be found in various popular myths and tales:
1. The Loch Ness Monster
Perhaps the most famous modern sea serpent, Nessie of Loch Ness in Scotland has often been compared to ancient sea monsters.
Interestingly, the first reports of the Loch Ness monster actually came from a religious figure. An Irish missionary named Columba reported speaking to villagers who saw a man dragged into the River Ness by a “water beast” in the year 565.
The legend didn’t explode until the 1930s, but these historical origins lent credence to the tale.
While concrete evidence for the existence of Nessie is scant, that hasn’t stopped people from avidly hunting for clues.
2. Modern Sea Serpent Sightings
Across various cultures, there are reports of serpentine creatures in the sea, reminiscent of Leviathan. From "Ogopogo" in Canada's Okanagan Lake to "Selma" in Norway's Seljord Lake, these tales continue the tradition of mysterious sea dwellers that has existed since biblical times.
3. Sea Monsters in Popular Culture
Sea monsters have been staples in movies, literature, and art. Movies like "Clash of the Titans" or "Pirates of the Caribbean" feature sea monsters that, while fictional, carry the aura of ancient myths and biblical creatures.
Why Sea Monsters Intrigue Us
No matter their true origins, our fascination with sea monsters, from the biblical Leviathan to the enigmatic Loch Ness Monster, reveals something about the human psyche – a deep-seated curiosity, awe, and sometimes fear of the vast unknown.
While we now have scientific tools to explore and understand our oceans better, the allure of the mysterious sea beast remains, reminding us of our ancient past and the timeless tales that have shaped our culture.
19 comments
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Clay Serenbetz
The hoaxes exposed, such as the Loch Ness monster, demonstrates the supposed scriptures are themselves fairy tales.
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Colleen McAllister
Nice article. I wonder if we'll ever really know? If true Nessis would be very old.
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Catherine
Supposedly the Sumerian tablets describe a genetically developed hodge podge of creatures like the centaur, unicorn, etcetera. If epigraphers decivered correctly, then the DNA of various animals was combined with Anunnaki DNA in an effort to create a sturdy animal that could mine for them. There is a small amount of provocative research about it here:
https://mythology.stackexchange.com/questions/1767/are-the-anunnaki-mentioned-in-the-bible
Though I've read Zecharia Sitchin's research on the Sumerian tablets, the link above provides a more brief synopsis. For those who are interested, Robert Morning Sky has a long, albeit entertaining and well told, youtube presentation that pulls decades of Sitchin's work together.
I wonder how much longer humans can convince themselves that earth is the only planet with advanced life. How arrogant and narrowminded can we be?
I think that just because we haven't seen a thing with our own eyes, that does not mean 'it' or some variation does not exist. Strange sea creatures keep being found every so often that were described by sailers before this past century.
So, why not?
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Catherine
Referencing my post about Robert Morning Sky's video:
https://youtu.be/GFunH0WA0gw (the Terra Papers)
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Rev. Jim Sutton
Unfortunately, no matter how much proof, evidence, or facts may arise, there'll still be Deniers and Believers on both sides.
Flat Earthers Unite ! 😁😆
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Lionheart
The flat earth has now been disproved when it became obvious, even to religionists who believe a lot of things with no evidence, that if the earth was flat, cats would have pushed everything over the edge by now. 🤪
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Keith Allen Steele Eash
Praise the lord.
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Lionheart
Which Lord would that be, mankind has created so many? I particularly like the colorful character of Lord Krishna. There is of course the House of Lords in England, purely as a matter of interest. 🤷🏼
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Nicholas J Page
That's all they are stories No scientific proof nothing.When there is a clearer picture of Nessie and proof.Then we can believe.
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Rev Ned
Interesting!
We know the Loch Ness monster was a hoax just like the Cottingley Fairies, Piltdown Man and Crop Circles were all created to make a fool out of Christian’s showing they would believe anything. It worked. Even when the people who created these hoaxes admitted they were hoaxes Christians continue to believe.
You can add the buybull and all its ridiculous nonsense to your list of hoaxes!😂
Of course not. You think for one second that a human has traveled all over the world making these crop circles, or ice circles? Give me a break. I heard of one over in Paulding Ohio that had no human tracks anywhere near it, was right next to a major highway so they would have been seen if this happened. had the crops bent over but not broken like the ones the humans did. the nodes in the plants were burst open (just the nodes mind you nothing else) and every one of the plants inside the crop circle were magnetic. They had people from Ohio State University's Agricultural school come over and do tests (one of the best in the nation) and they couldnt explain it.
Now am I saying it was little green men? Nope. What I AM saying is it wasnt a fake as that case is still open and it happened over 25 years ago and even with todays improvements they still dont have an answer as to how this was done.
So with you believing that the crop circles (not all of them) are fake it shows that YOU are one of the people who would believe anything and fall for everything
Yep. Bash the Christians again.
Well…they’re so gullible, so it’s really hard not to, but personally, I try not to. Most of you genuinely sound quite nice….phantasmagoric ….but nice 🤗
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Ahem,
The Piltdown man is the fake missing link. It was the rally point for atheists, not christians. As you said so profoundly, atheist still believe in the Piltdown man, even after his gender reassignment into the now beloved 'Lucy'.
Let’s also not forget Cheddar Gorge Man in the UK that lived over 10,000 years ago, who has a genetic ancestor living today, not far from that location. Adrian Target, is a teacher whose DNA matches with Cheddar Gorge Man.
Please don’t tell religionists that like to think the earth is about 6,000 years old. I know that’s hard to believe, but I’m serious. They’ll believe anything as long as it fits their narrative 😜
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Never heard of the cheddar man, thought you were messing with me, lol.(you did just say we were gullible) Wiki'd him. Rough death. 10,000 years laying there, just think of that. All the wars, the people that came and went, the struggles, friends gained and lost all while he lay for 10000 years. Amazing find like the Iceman from 3k bc with an arrow in his back. He lay there too all those thousands of years untouched. Amazing. Imagine if one day we could pull memories or knowledge from DNA in the way animals are born with knowledge to communicate with each other and so on. That would probably start world war 12 though.
Thank you for accepting my cheesy comment🤭
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