Description
Book SynopsisSince ancient times Leviathan and other monsters from the biblical world symbolize the life-threatening powers in nature and history. They represent the dark aspects of human nature and political entities and reveal the supernatural dimensions of evil. Ancient texts and pictures regarding these monsters reflect an environment of polytheism and religious pluralism. Remarkably, however, the biblical writings and post-biblical traditions use these venerated symbols in portraying God as being sovereign over the entire universe, a theme that is also prominent in the reception of these texts in subsequent contexts. This volume explores this tension and elucidates the theological and cultural meaning of ‘Leviathan’ by studying its ancient Near Eastern background and its attestation in biblical texts, early and rabbinic Judaism, Christian theology, Early Modern art, and film.
Table of ContentsContents Part 1: Ancient Near East 1 The Leviathan in the Ancient Near East Marjo Korpel and Johannes de Moor Part 2: Old Testament 2 God and the Dragons in the Book of Isaiah Jaap Dekker 3 As a Fish on Dry Land. Some Remarks on Tannîn in Ezekiel Ben van Werven 4 “Is Your Rage Against the Rivers, Your Wrath Against the Sea?” Storm-God Imagery in Habakkuk 3 Koert van Bekkum 5 The Monster as a Toy. Leviathan in Psalm 104:26 77 Gert Kwakkel 6 “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find The(ir Wisdo)m”. Behemoth and Leviathan in the Book of Job 90 Nicholas Ansell Part 3: Early and Rabbinic Judaism 7 Leviathan on the Menu of the Messianic Meal. The Use of Various Images of Leviathan in Early Jewish Tradition Michael Mulder Part 4: New Testament and Early Christianity 8 Romans 16:17–20a: Imminent Danger and Victory Theo van Spanje 9 The Air Combat between Michael and the Dragon. Revelation 12:7–12 in Relation to Similar Texts from the New Testament Rob van Houwelingen 10 Leviathan and the Monsters in Revelation Henk van de Kamp Part 5 Theological Reflections 11 God and the Suffering of Animals Gijsbert van den Brink 12 “God Deals More Roughly with His Creature than We Would Like”. Leviathan in the Work of Arnold A. van Ruler Dirk van Keulen 13 Modern Political Society as Leviathan. Interpretation and Application of Thomas Hobbes’ Use of a Biblical Symbol Ad de Bruijne 14 The Dragon / Snake in Myth, Religion and Mission. Fear of Death Defeated by the Message of Life Kees Haak Part 6 Iconographic Representations 15 A Glimpse of the Beast. Leviathan in Late Medieval and Early Modern Art Anique de Kruijf 16 Incarnations of Death: Leviathan in the Movies Reinier Sonneveld Index of Ancient Sources Index of Geographical and Personal Names Index of Subjects Index of Modern Authors
