Playing with Leviathan : : interpretation and reception of monsters from the biblical world / / edited by Koert van Bekkum [and three others].

• Superior document: Themes in biblical narrative: Jewish and Christian traditions, volume 21
• TeilnehmendeR: Bekkum, K. van,
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden ;, Boston : : Brill,, [2017]; ©2017
• Year of Publication: 2017
• Language: English
• Series: Themes in biblical narrative ; v. 21.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (343 pages) :; illustrations.
• Other title: Preliminary Material --; The Leviathan in the Ancient Near East /; God and the Dragons in the Book of Isaiah /; As a Fish on Dry Land. Some Remarks on Tannîn in Ezekiel /; “Is Your Rage Against the Rivers, Your Wrath Against the Sea?”. Storm-God Imagery in Habakkuk 3 /; The Monster as a Toy. Leviathan in Psalm 104:26 /; “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find The(ir Wisdo)m”. Behemoth and Leviathan in the Book of Job /; Leviathan on the Menu of the Messianic Meal. The Use of Various Images of Leviathan in Early Jewish Tradition /; Romans 16:17–20a: Imminent Danger and Victory /; The Air Combat between Michael and the Dragon. Revelation 12:7–12 in Relation to Similar Texts from the New Testament /; Leviathan and the Monsters in Revelation /; God and the Suffering of Animals /; “God Deals More Roughly with His Creature than We Would Like”. Leviathan in the Work of Arnold A. van Ruler /; Modern Political Society as Leviathan. Interpretation and Application of Thomas Hobbes’ Use of a Biblical Symbol /; The Dragon / Snake in Myth, Religion and Mission. Fear of Death Defeated by the Message of Life /; A Glimpse of the Beast. Leviathan in Late Medieval and Early Modern Art /; Incarnations of Death: Leviathan in the Movies /; Index of Ancient Sources --; Index of Geographical and Personal Names --; Index of Subjects --; Index of Modern Authors.
• Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references and index.
• ISBN: 9004337962
• ISSN: 1388-3909
• Hierarchical level: Monograph
• Statement of Responsibility: edited by Koert van Bekkum [and three others].

Since ancient times Leviathan and other monsters from the biblical world symbolize the life-threatening powers in nature and history. They represent the dark aspects of human nature and political entities and reveal the supernatural dimensions of evil. Ancient texts and pictures regarding these monsters reflect an environment of polytheism and religious pluralism. Remarkably, however, the biblical writings and post-biblical traditions use these venerated symbols in portraying God as being sovereign over the entire universe, a theme that is also prominent in the reception of these texts in subsequent contexts. This volume explores this tension and elucidates the theological and cultural meaning of ‘Leviathan’ by studying its ancient Near Eastern background and its attestation in biblical texts, early and rabbinic Judaism, Christian theology, Early Modern art, and film.