We explain what Leviathan is in different religions and mythologies. Also, why Thomas Hobbes used it as the title of his work.
What is Leviathan?
Leviathan is a creature that appears in different mythological traditions and ancient texts. In the Bible, it is described as a giant sea monster, with powerful jaws and impenetrable scales, making it invulnerable to human weapons. In Ugaritic mythology, Leviathan is represented as a seven-headed dragon.
Throughout history, Leviathan has been interpreted in art and literature. In some cases, it has been depicted with elements of aquatic creatures, such as fins and a powerful tail that allows it to move quickly through the water. In the Middle Ages and in Christian tradition, it was often associated with demons and depicted as an infernal beast.
In a symbolic sense, the Leviathan usually represents chaos, the indomitable power of nature and, in some contexts, evil. In several traditions, he personifies primordial forces that must be dominated or defeated by deities or heroes. This symbolism has allowed the figure of Leviathan to endure over time and remain present in different cultures and narratives.
At work Leviathan (1651) by the political philosopher Thomas Hobbes, The term is used as a metaphor for the State a powerful and authoritarian entity that maintains order and peace.
In modern popular culture, Leviathan appears in various works of fiction, from novels and films to video games and television series. In them, he is usually represented as a colossal and dangerous sea creature.
The word “Leviathan” comes from biblical Hebrew liwyatanwhich means “to roll up” or “to twist.” It also has a parallel in the Ugaritic language as lotana seven-headed dragon, suggesting a common origin in ancient Near Eastern traditions.
Key points
- Biblical origin. Leviathan appears in the Bible as a powerful and symbolic sea monster, representing chaos and primordial forces that challenge divine order.
- Political metaphor. In the work of Thomas Hobbes, the Leviathan represents the sovereign state, a centralized entity that emerges from the social contract to ensure social stability through the exercise of coercive power.
- Cultural representation. Throughout history and in various cultures, the Leviathan has been reinterpreted in literature, art and mythology as a symbol of excessive power, resistance to authority and primordial chaos.
- Iconography. In medieval Christian art and iconography, Leviathan is depicted as a colossal sea monster associated with the devil and sin, reflecting the struggle between good and evil.
- Contemporary interpretations. Today, the term “Leviathan” is used to refer to entities or systems that have a lot of power, such as large corporations, centralized governments, and technological advances that challenge privacy and individual freedom.
Leviathan in the ancient Near East
Leviathan is a mythical creature present in various cultures of the ancient Near East. It was generally depicted as a sea monster or dragon, and appeared in mythical tales that chronicled the struggle between divine order and primordial chaos.
- Hebrew culture (9th-5th centuries BC). Within Hebrew culture, Leviathan was a creature that appeared in several biblical texts (Job 41, Psalms 74:14, Isaiah 27:1). It symbolized chaos and the sovereignty of God over all the forces of nature. It was described as a gigantic and almost invincible sea monster, with impenetrable scales and fiery breath.
- Ugaritic culture (14th-12th centuries BC). In this culture, Leviathan was called Lotan and appeared in the accounts of the Ras Shamra tablets. He was represented as a seven-headed dragon, who was defeated by the god Baal in an epic battle that symbolized the fight against chaos.
- Mesopotamian culture (18th century BC). In the mythical texts of the Enuma Elish, a creature similar to Leviathan appeared in the figure of Tiamat. It was a sea goddess represented as a dragon, who was defeated by Marduk in a fight that established the order of the universe.
Leviathan in medieval Christianity
In the theology and iconography of Christianity, during the Middle Ages, the Leviathan It was frequently associated with the devil and the underworld. It represented resistance to divine sovereignty and the temptation of sin.
His defeat in medieval narratives meant God's victory over the forces of evil and a promise of salvation and order restored under divine authority. This monstrous figure was integrated into the medieval understanding of the universe as a constant reminder of human frailty and the need for divine grace to overcome spiritual and physical challenges.
In addition to its theological function, Leviathan was also explored in Christian mysticism as a symbol of the internal struggles of the human soul against temptations and sin. In this sense, its presence in medieval literature and thought deepened the reflection on free will, redemption and spiritual purification as an integral part of the path towards communion with God.
He Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes
Leviathan's name was also used in the work Leviathan, or The matter, form and power of an ecclesiastical and civil State (1651) written by the English philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) and considered a key piece in the development of modern political thought.
In this work, Hobbes uses the metaphor of Leviathan to describe the sovereign State as a powerful and centralized entity that emerges from a social pact between individuals. Hobbes argues that in the primitive state of nature, human beings live in a state of war of all against all, where life is “solitary, poor, sordid, bestial and brief.”
To escape this chaotic state of nature, Individuals cede their natural rights to the absolute sovereign who guarantees peace and security through the exercise of coercive power. Hobbes' Leviathan thus symbolizes the figure of the sovereign State, which has absolute authority over its subjects and holds the legitimate monopoly of force.
This conception of Leviathan as an omnipotent and protective entity is contrasted with his negative view of the state of nature, where the absence of centralized power inevitably leads to conflict and disorder. Hobbes uses this metaphor to justify a strong, centralized government that preserves peace and social stability even at the cost of certain individual freedoms.
References
- Ackermann, M. (2008). Hobbes, Thomas. Encyclopedia of World Historyvol. III: The First Global Age. 1450 to 1750. Facts on File.
- Ellwood, RR and Alles, GD (Eds.). (2007). Devils and demons. The Encyclopedia of World Religions. Facts on File.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, (2024). Leviathan. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/
