Episode Summary

Dinosaurs are a favorite topic for kids and skeptics alike, yet the word "dinosaur" never appears in the Bible. Does that mean they weren't part of God's original creation? In this episode, we look at the Hebrew text of Genesis and the poetic descriptions in Job to see how these "terrible lizards" fit into the six days of creation.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Language of Creation

The term "dinosaur" wasn't coined until 1841, so we shouldn't expect to find it in ancient manuscripts. However, Genesis 1 uses broad categories that include these massive creatures:

• Day 5: God created "great sea creatures" ($Genesis 1:21$), which would include plesiosaurs and other ancient marine giants.
• Day 6: God created "beasts of the earth" ($Genesis 1:24-25$), a category for land-dwelling animals that encompasses everything from cattle to the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

2. The Mystery of the "Behemoth"

In the book of Job, God describes a creature that defies modern classification.

• Job 40:15-19: The Behemoth is described as having a tail like a cedar tree and bones like tubes of bronze.
• While some suggest an elephant or hippo, many scholars note that those animals have tiny tails—unlike the cedar-like tail described, which more closely resembles a sauropod dinosaur.

3. Leviathan and the Sea Monsters

The Bible frequently mentions Leviathan, a fearsome sea creature that symbolizes power and chaos ($Job 41$, $Psalm 74:14$). Whether a literal ancient marine reptile or a symbol of untamable nature, it points to a world once inhabited by creatures far more imposing than those we see today.

4. Why the Bible Doesn't Name Them

The Bible isn't a zoological encyclopedia. Its primary purpose is to reveal God's relationship with humanity. Dinosaurs are included in the "all things" that were made by Him, serving as a testament to His immense creativity and power. Their existence—recorded in the fossil record and hinted at in ancient texts—reminds us that God’s design is far vaster than we often realize.

Notable Quote

"The absence of the word 'dinosaur' doesn't mean the absence of the creature. From the 'great sea monsters' of Day 5 to the 'beasts of the earth' on Day 6, the Bible leaves plenty of room for these awe-inspiring animals."

Scriptural References

• Genesis 1:21-25 – The creation of sea and land creatures.
• Job 40:15-24 – The description of Behemoth.
• Job 41 – The fearsome power of Leviathan.
• Psalm 74:13-14 – God's victory over the great sea monsters.
• Isaiah 27:1 – The "twisting serpent" in the sea.