You Won't Find That Word In The Bible!
Many Christians will often argue semantics without even realizing it. How often have you heard something along the lines of, "That word isn't even in the Bible" during a group Bible study or service at the Church? For example, the word "trinity" is nowhere to be found in the scriptures. However, when studying the Word of God it is quite clear to see that though God is One (Deuteronomy 6:4), He is triune at the same time (Genesis 1:26). God is Father (1 Corinthians 8:6), Son (John 20:28), and Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4) while still remaining One. The word trinity is convenient because it expresses the nature of God in one word. So while the actual term may be absent from the word the belief behind it is very present. Another example we could use would be the word "rapture." Nowhere in the Word of God do we see the word "rapture" used, but like the world "trinity", the concept is very present in the Word. You can read about people being raptured away (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). From these 2 examples alone we can conclude that words may be absent but their very meaning is present. What about the word "dinosaur?" You will never find the word "dinosaur" in the Bible. Does this mean that they go unmentioned? Like the word "trinity" and "rapture", I hope to convince you of the existence of "dinosaurs" throughout the Scripture despite the absence of the word. I will offer a few reasons as to why I believe it is biblical and necessary to believe that dinosaurs once roamed the earth. I will also offer an explanation as to why dinosaurs are no longer roaming the earth. All scripture quoted will be taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
God Created The Earth And All It Contains
I feel it is important to explain early on that I do not subscribe to a form of evolution (whether secular or theistic). God's Word is very clear that the Lord created the heavens and earth (Genesis 1:1), as well as all it contains within 6 literal 24 hour days, and then He rested on the 7th day (Genesis 1-2:3). The Lord is the Giver of life (John 1:4) and does not rely on evolution or silly theories to put things into action. God is sovereign, all knowing, all powerful, omnipresent, and dependent upon nothing. There is nothing made without Him, and through Him all things find their source of life (John 1:3). This would include dinosaurs. If dinosaurs did in fact roam the earth many years ago, it is only because God created them and gave them their life as He did with the other animals. If dinosaurs did exist, they would be an animal of some sort. Like all of the created things for earth, the dinosaurs would roam the earth, feed off of the food provided, and fall into one or more of the days of creation. Why would they not fall into just one day of the Creation? Well God divided things up. He created the flying creatures of the air on the 5th day of creation (Genesis 1:20). This would include birds, bats, and any flying dinosaurs (such as pterodactyls). He also created the creatures of the sea on the 5th day as well (Genesis 1:21). This would include fish, squid, shrimp, and any sea dinosaurs (such as the plesiosaur). Then God created land creatures on the 6th day (Genesis 1:24-25) which would include cattle, bears, or any land dinosaurs (such as the tyrannosaurus rex).
If Only The Bible Said "Dinosaur"
You may be wondering why the word "dinosaur" is never found within the Scriptures. John Wycliffe (nicknamed "The Morning Star of the Reformation") was the first person to translate the Bible into the English language around 1382. In the year 1535, the Coverdale Bible was printed in English (translated by Miles Coverdale). The word "dinosaur" is a newer word that did not exist until the 1800's. The absence of the word is quite understandable when you consider the dates given above.
Dragons?
So what scriptural words would lead me to believe that dinosaurs once existed? The first word we'll examine is "dragon" which is used numerous times throughout the Bible. In the New Testament we see the word "dragon" mentioned 13 times. I've refrained from using the New Testament usages of the word "dragon" because every usage takes place within the book of Revelation. We are told in Revelation 12:9 "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." We are also told Revelation 20:2 "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,". These verses tells us that the dragon in Revelation is Satan. While I do believe it is possible that the dragons mentioned in Revelation could be Satan in the form of literal dinosaur-like creature, I cannot use these verses honestly due to my admitted ignorance of eschatology and interpretation of the book of Revelation.
In the Old Testament you will find the word "dragon" 22 times. There are 3 Hebrew words that "dragon" is translated from. The first word given is tan (pronounced just like it looks, tan). Strong's Hebrew and Greek dictionaries offers the following definition:
From an unused root probably meaning to elongate; a monster (as preternaturally formed), that is, a sea serpent (or other huge marine animal); also a jackal (or other hideous land animal): - dragon, whale. Compare H8577.
The 2nd word given for "dragon" when looking up the Hebrew is tannah (pronounced tan-naw'). Strong's offers the following definition:
Probably feminine of H8565; a female jackal: - dragon.
The 3rd and final Hebrew word used for "dragon" is tanniyn tanniym (pronounced tan-neen', tan-neem'). This following definition is offered:
(The second form used in Eze_29:3); intensive from the same as H8565; a marine or land monster, that is, sea serpent or jackal: - dragon, sea-monster, serpent, whale.
When researching this topic I came across something very interesting in regards to that last hebrew word. Many people think Genesis is silent when it comes to the subject of dinosaurs, but I've found something very different. In Genesis 1:21 God's word says, "And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good." If you check the hebrew word for whale, you'll discover this is the same word listed above, "tanniyn tanniym." So while the the King James Version translates this word as whale, it could just as easily be translated as dragon, sea-monster, serpent, or jackal. I wondered if this word that is rendered "whale" could've been some sort of fish, so I decided to compare it to the great fish that swallowed Jonah in the book of Jonah, 1:17. I found that the hebrew word for fish (dag da'g, pronounced dawg dawg) is quite different from the word rendered as whale. So the creature mentioned in Genesis 1:21 and Jonah 1:17 are quite different. Perhaps a better english translation would be "sea monsters" or "dragons."
You may also have noticed that this creature (the dragon) is commonly described as being some sort of jackal or monster. It seems unclear what exactly this creature is based on the Hebrew. Based on the descriptions offered within Scripture I've gathered a few things about this dragon.
1. Some dragons were water animals (Psalm 74:13, 148:7, Isaiah 27:1, Ezekiel 29:3).
2. Some dragons resided on dry land (Isaiah 35:7, 43:20, Jeremiah 19:11, Jeremiah 10:22, Jeremiah 49:33, Jeremiah 51:37, Malachi 1:3).
3. Dragons are wild beasts (Isaiah 13:22).
4. Dragons are known for their loud cries or roars (Job 30:29, Isaiah 13:22, Micah 1:8).
5. Dragons are large animals capable of devouring large creatures (Jeremiah 51:34).
6. The dragon is paired with another creature I've mentioned, the Leviathan (Isaiah 27:1).
Scripture and the descriptions given within it allow us to logically believe that dinosaurs are referred to as "dragons" in the Old Testament.
Behemoth?
The 2nd word I'd like to examine is "Behemoth." This word is used only 1 time throughout Scripture (Job 40:15) and it is then followed up with a lengthy description of this creature. The hebrew word is "bhemoth" (pronounced be-hay-mohth'). Strong's offer's the following definition:
a water ox, that is, the hippopotamus or Nile horse: - Behemoth.
Job 40:15-24 "Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. (16) Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. (17) He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. (18) His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron. (19) He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him. (20) Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play. (21) He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens. (22) The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about. (23) Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth. (24) He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares."
The identity of "behemoth" has been debated for many years. Strong's dictionary and many others believe "behemoth" to be the hippopotamus. This cannot work when you consider verse 17. Behemoth is a large creature with a large tail. His tail is so large that it's movement is compared to a cedar tree. A cedar tree is a mighty, large, pillar-like tree that is mentioned being in Lebanon frequently in the Old Testament. A hippopotamus has a tail similar to a pig. Verse 19 says "He is the chief of the ways of God..." which is an interesting statement. Every commentary, preacher, and comparison of the hebrew language suggests this means that this creature is the largest and tallest creature God has created. It is obvious that the hippopotamus does not live up to this description, but the dinosaur sure does. The dinosaur known as the brachiosaurus is believed to have been one of the larger dinosaurs that once roamed the earth. It's estimated that they were as tall as 40 ft. and weighed as much as 78 tons. More than likely, "behemoth" is a dinosaur.
Leviathan?
The 3rd and final word I'd like to examine is "leviathan." Leviathan is mentioned 5 times by name in the Old Testament. In hebrew, the word leviathan is livyathan (pronounced liv-yaw-thawn) and it is given this definition according to Strong's:
a wreathed animal, that is, a serpent (especially the crocodile or some other large sea monster); figuratively the constellation of the dragon; also as a symbol of Babylon: - leviathan, mourning.
Job 41:1-34 "Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? (2) Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn? (3) Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee? (4) Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever? (5) Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? (6) Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants? (7) Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears? (8) Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more. (9) Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him? (10) None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me? (11) Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine. (12) I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion. (13) Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle? (14) Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about. (15) His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal. (16) One is so near to another, that no air can come between them. (17) They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered. (18) By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. (19) Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. (20) Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. (21) His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth. (22) In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him. (23) The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved. (24) His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone. (25) When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves. (26) The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon. (27) He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood. (28) The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble. (29) Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear. (30) Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire. (31) He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment. (32) He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary. (33) Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear. (34) He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride."
The description given here is quite thorough and leaves little to the imagination. You can clearly see that this creature is a dinosaur. But if the Scripture alone does not convince you, I'd like to pay special attention to verse 20 which says, "Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron." I cannot think of any animal known to man that has smoke proceeding from it's nostrils except a dragon/dinosaur. This Scripture gives us no option but a dinosaur of some sort.
What Happened To The Dinosaurs?
If we are now convinced that dinosaurs once roamed the earth, we must then ask the next question that follows: what happened to the dinosaurs? Well we must realize that dinosaurs were on Noah's ark because God sent at least 2 of every land-dwelling, air-breathing animal upon the ark. Since dinosaurs are animals, this would include them as well. Many people believe that once the flood was over, the environmental changes were so drastic that the dinosaurs slowly started dying out. Another verse suggests that God had a part in the extinction of the dinosaurs. We read in Job 40:19, "He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him." As powerful and mighty as a dinosaur may have been, it was still in subjection to the Lord. God caused this creature to go extinct.
A Necessary Conclusion
In closing, I believe Scripture speaks very loudly and tells us that dinosaurs were once upon the face of the earth. If Scripture isn't enough evidence for us, we still have the fossil record. We cannot logically deny the existence of dinosaurs when we have such a huge fossil record that says otherwise. Bones suggest that there was once something living. Life suggests that God created these creatures. I heard a Pastor once say that he had heard someone say that the bones were placed on earth by God, in order to trick us. This person suggested that the bones are part of some sort of lie, a deception, given to unbelievers. God is not a trickster, He is a Holy and loving God. We seriously cannot believe such nonsense. Christians and the Church are mocked enough as is, denying something we have clear evidence of only makes Christians look uneducated and ignorant of what archaeology has proven over and over again. We must also consider the fact that just about every culture has some ancient story of a giant creature, a terrible lizard. Some of these creatures even blow fire. Is it so crazy to believe that these stories are based on some truth (much of which is verified in Scripture)? These stories did not come out of thin air, but must've been based on something that was once seen by the eyes of humanity.
