The word Leviathan is used in a rather loose manner in the Old Testament, in some places representing a mammalian of the sea, and in others signifying a reptile inhabiting the rivers. As in the most important of these passages the Crocodile is evidently signified, we will accept that rendering, and consider the Crocodile as being the Leviathan of Scripture. The Jewish Bible accepts the word Crocodile, and does not add the mark of doubt.
The fullest account of the Leviathan occurs in Job xli., the whole of which chapter is given to the description of the terrible reptile. As the translation of the Jewish Bible differs in some points from that of the Authorized Version, I shall here give the former, so that the reader may be able to compare them with each other.
"Canst thou draw out a crocodile with a hook, or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
"Canst thou put a reed into his nose, or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
"Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
"Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him as a servant for ever?
"Wilt thou play with him as with a bird, or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
"Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?
"Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons, or his head with fish-spears?
"Lay thine hand upon him, thou wilt no more remember the battle.