Monsters in the Bible – The Torah Series

In this insightful Bible teaching from Founded In Truth Fellowship, Matthew Vander Els explores the fascinating topic of what are often perceived as “monsters” in the Bible, specifically within the context of the Torah, which encompasses the first five books of the Old Testament. The series delves into the narratives of the Torah, not just as a collection of laws, but as a powerful story that reveals the character of God. The teaching highlights how a closer examination of the original Hebrew language can unlock deeper meanings and shed light on figures that might seem strange or enigmatic to modern readers of translated Bibles.

The Enigmatic Tanin

The discussion centers around the Hebrew word “tanin” (תַּנִּין), which appears in Genesis 1:21 during the creation week. In this verse, the King James Version, American Standard Version, and Common English Bible, among others, translate “tanin” as “great sea monsters”. However, other translations might use more neutral terms like “sea creatures.” Matthew Vander Els points out that the word “tanin” is quite versatile and is used elsewhere in the Bible to refer to smaller creatures like snakes (Exodus 7:10) and also to formidable beings like dragons (Isaiah 27:1). This ambiguity raises the question of the true nature of the “great sea monsters” created by God.

The speaker emphasizes that a simple definition of “tanin” as just a large sea creature might miss the deeper significance intended by the biblical authors. He suggests that when we encounter “tanin” in Scripture, particularly in contexts like Isaiah 27:1 where it is associated with Leviathan as a “fleeing serpent” and a “twisting serpent” that God will punish, we are dealing with more than just physical animals. These descriptions evoke the image of epic, mythological sea monsters.

Tanin and Ancient Near Eastern Mythology

To understand why such seemingly mythological creatures would appear in the creation account of Genesis 1, the teaching delves into the cultural context of ancient Israel. Israel was not alone in having stories about powerful, chaotic sea creatures. Archaeological discoveries in 1928 in Ugarit (modern Ras Shamra in northern Syria) unearthed ancient Canaanite tablets that provide valuable insights into the beliefs of Israel’s neighbors. These Ugaritic tablets, including the Baal Cycle or Baal Epic, tell of the Canaanite god Baal-Hadad (whose title simply means “Lord”) and his battles against the god of the sea, Yam. In these myths, Yam is represented by a massive sea dragon known as Tunen (the Canaanite cognate of “tanin”) and a seven-headed sea dragon called Lotan (the Canaanite version of Leviathan). Baal’s struggle against these chaotic sea monsters was central to the Canaanite understanding of how order was established in the world.

Similarly, Babylonian mythology, as recorded in the Enuma Elish, begins with chaotic waters ruled by the feminine goddess Tiamat, depicted as a serpentine sea monster. The Babylonian creation story involves a battle where the champion god Marduk defeats Tiamat and uses her body to create the heavens and the earth. Egypt also had its own traditions of chaotic waters and powerful creatures that needed to be overcome.

Genesis 1 as Polemic

Given this widespread presence of sea monster myths in the ancient Near East, the speaker proposes that the inclusion of “tanin” in Genesis 1:21 is polemical. It serves as a deliberate counter-narrative to the creation myths of the surrounding nations. While the Canaanites believed their god Baal had to fiercely battle and almost lost to Tunen and Lotan to establish order, and the Babylonians believed Marduk had to violently defeat Tiamat to create the world, Genesis presents a different picture. In the biblical account, God simply created the “great sea monsters” (the taninim). There is no struggle, no cosmic battle; the powerful, chaotic beings that other cultures feared and worshipped as forces to be reckoned with are merely part of God’s creation, subject to His authority. This audacious statement underscores the sovereignty and unparalleled power of the God of Israel.

Tanin in Exodus and Beyond

The theme of God’s dominion over these chaotic “monsters” continues throughout the Old Testament. In Exodus 4:2-4 and 7:8-13, when Moses confronts Pharaoh, Aaron’s staff turns into a “serpent” (nakash in Hebrew). However, Matthew Vander Els suggests that the underlying imagery might be more profound. If we consider the connection between “nakash” and “tanin,” the event could be interpreted as God demonstrating His power by turning the staff into a fearsome sea dragon, a “tanin,” thus showcasing His absolute control over the very forces that represented chaos and opposition in the ancient world. When the Egyptian magicians replicated this feat, Aaron’s “tanin” (the staff) swallowed their “taninim,” further emphasizing God’s superior power.

Application for Everyday Life

The teaching moves beyond the historical and mythological context to draw practical applications for everyday life. The speaker emphasizes that these “monsters” of the Bible – Leviathan, tanin, Rahab – represent the chaos and challenges we face daily: fear, anxiety, stress, doubt, hopelessness, and injustice. Just as God demonstrated His sovereignty over the mythological monsters of the ancient world, He also reigns over the “monsters” in our lives. The inclusion of “tanin” in Genesis 1:21 serves as a subtle yet powerful reminder of this truth, offering hope and peace to believers.

The story of Yeshua (Jesus) walking on water in Matthew 14 further illustrates this principle. As the disciples faced a storm and crashing waves (representing chaos), Yeshua demonstrated His authority over these chaotic waters. Peter’s attempt to walk on water succeeded as long as he kept his focus on Yeshua, but he began to sink when he became distracted by the wind and waves (fear and doubt). This narrative teaches us that when we focus on God and His sovereignty, we can overcome the “waters of chaos” in our own lives.

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References

• Genesis 1:21
• Exodus 7:10
• Isaiah 27:1
• Psalm 74:13
• Matthew 14:25
• Romans 8:38

Resources Mentioned

• The Stories of Ancient Canaan by Michael D. Coogan