The Bible does not explicitly mention dinosaurs by name, as the term “dinosaur” was not coined until the 19th century. However, Scripture does describe various creatures, some of which resemble what we might consider dinosaurs or other ancient, now-extinct animals. These descriptions, combined with biblical accounts of creation, suggest that dinosaurs could have been part of God’s creation.
1. Creation of Dinosaurs
According to the Bible, all land animals were created on the sixth day of creation, along with humans.
- Genesis 1:24-25 (NIV):
“And God said, ‘Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.’ And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.”
This passage implies that dinosaurs, like all land animals, were created by God and existed alongside other creatures.
2. Behemoth (Possibly a Dinosaur)
The behemoth, described in the book of Job, is often interpreted as a large, powerful creature. Some believe it could describe a dinosaur, such as a sauropod (e.g., Brachiosaurus or Diplodocus), due to its massive size and tail description.
- Job 40:15-18 (NIV):
“Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox. What strength it has in its loins, what power in the muscles of its belly! Its tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of its thighs are close-knit. Its bones are tubes of bronze, its limbs like rods of iron.”
Key observations:
- “Tail sways like a cedar” suggests a large, tree-like tail, potentially fitting a dinosaur rather than a modern animal like a hippopotamus or elephant.
3. Leviathan (A Sea Creature)
The leviathan, described in Job and Psalms, is a fearsome sea creature. Some believe it could represent a dinosaur-like marine reptile (e.g., plesiosaur) or a mythical creature symbolizing chaos.
- Job 41:1, 12-14, 19-21 (NIV):
“Can you pull in Leviathan with a fishhook or tie down its tongue with a rope? I will not fail to speak of Leviathan’s limbs, its strength and its graceful form. Who can strip off its outer coat? Who can penetrate its double coat of armor? … Flames stream from its mouth; sparks of fire shoot out. Smoke pours from its nostrils as from a boiling pot over burning reeds.”
Key observations:
- The leviathan is described as large, powerful, and possibly fire-breathing, evoking imagery of a dragon or large prehistoric creature.
- Psalm 104:26 (NIV):
“There the ships go to and fro, and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.”
4. Dinosaurs and the Flood
Some young-earth creationists believe dinosaurs coexisted with humans and were included on Noah’s Ark during the Flood.
- Genesis 7:15 (NIV):
“Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark.”
They argue that dinosaurs became extinct after the Flood due to changes in the environment, lack of resources, or hunting by humans.
5. Fossils and the Bible
The Bible does not explicitly discuss fossils, but the existence of fossilized remains aligns with the biblical account of a catastrophic event, such as the Flood.
- Genesis 7:11-12 (NIV):
“In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.”
Some creationists argue that the Flood could explain the rapid burial and fossilization of dinosaur remains.
6. Symbolism and Figurative Interpretations
Some scholars interpret creatures like Behemoth and Leviathan symbolically rather than literally. They may represent chaos, evil, or forces that only God can control, emphasizing His power and sovereignty.
- Isaiah 27:1 (NIV):
“In that day, the Lord will punish with his sword—his fierce, great and powerful sword—Leviathan the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; he will slay the monster of the sea.”
Biblical Perspective on Dinosaurs
- Part of God’s Creation
Dinosaurs, like all creatures, were created by God and reflect His power and creativity.- Romans 1:20 (NIV):
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
- Romans 1:20 (NIV):
- Subject to the Curse
Dinosaurs, like all creation, experienced the effects of the Fall, including death and decay.- Romans 8:20-22 (NIV):
“For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.”
- Romans 8:20-22 (NIV):
- Extinction Reflects God’s Sovereignty
The extinction of dinosaurs aligns with God’s control over creation and His purposes throughout history.- Job 12:10 (NIV):
“In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”
- Job 12:10 (NIV):
Conclusion
While the Bible does not explicitly mention dinosaurs, it provides clues about their possible existence through descriptions of creatures like Behemoth and Leviathan. Dinosaurs can be understood as part of God’s creation, reflecting His power and majesty. Their extinction and the discovery of fossils point to the complexity and mystery of God’s plan, as revealed through Scripture and nature.