What Does the Bible Say About Dinosaurs?

What Does the Bible Say About Dinosaurs?

From Questions and Answers

By Neil McBride

The Bible does not explicitly mention “dinosaurs” by name, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is silent about these fascinating and ancient creatures. The term dinosaur, derived from the Greek words deinos (terrible) and sauros (lizard), was not coined until 1842 by British scientist Sir Richard Owen, centuries after the last books of the Bible were written. Therefore, it is unsurprising that the Bible does not use the word “dinosaur” in any of its texts. However, this absence of the term does not preclude the possibility that the Bible references large, powerful creatures that may resemble what modern science now classifies as dinosaurs.

Throughout Scripture, particularly in the Old Testament, there are intriguing descriptions of mysterious and majestic beasts, such as Behemoth and Leviathan, which some Christians interpret as references to dinosaur-like animals. These interpretations are especially popular among those who hold to a young-earth creationist view, which posits that humans and dinosaurs once coexisted and that the Earth is only a few thousand years old. According to this view, these creatures may have lived alongside humans and even been part of the animal kingdom God created during the six days of creation described in Genesis.

On the other hand, many Bible scholars and theologians take a more symbolic, poetic, or metaphorical approach to these passages. They suggest that descriptions of these creatures, particularly in the poetic books like Job and Psalms, may serve more as literary devices meant to convey God’s power and majesty than as literal biological accounts. In this view, Behemoth might represent the overwhelming strength of nature, while Leviathan could symbolise chaos or evil.

Ultimately, while the Bible does not directly address dinosaurs in modern scientific terms, it offers glimpses into ancient understandings of awe-inspiring creatures and the vast diversity of life in God’s creation. These references have sparked centuries of discussion and debate among Christians, scientists, and theologians, leading to various interpretations that continue to shape how we understand the relationship between biblical texts and the fossil record. This article will explore the biblical context, possible allusions to dinosaurs, and the perspectives held within the Christian faith regarding these ancient giants of the past.

Biblical Terminology and Timing

The word dinosaur comes from the Greek words deinos (meaning “terrible” or “fearfully great”) and sauros (meaning “lizard” or “reptile”), and it was first coined in 1842 by British palaeontologist Sir Richard Owen. Owen used the term to describe the fossilised remains of large, extinct reptiles discovered in increasing numbers during the 19th century. Given that the books of the Bible were written thousands of years earlier, long before the development of modern science and palaeontology, it is understandable that the term “dinosaur” does not appear anywhere in Scripture. The Bible, composed over roughly 1,500 years and completed nearly 2,000 years ago, uses the ancient world’s language, concepts, and classifications, not modern scientific terminology.

However, while the specific word “dinosaur” is absent, the Bible does refer to many kinds of animals—both real and possibly symbolic—that have led to considerable discussion and debate. Some of these creatures are described in vivid detail, especially in the poetic and wisdom literature of the Old Testament, such as the books of Job, Psalms, and Isaiah. These texts contain accounts of extraordinary animals that possess immense strength, size, and even supernatural features. For instance, creatures like Behemoth and Leviathan are portrayed with such grandeur and mystery that some readers wonder whether they could be descriptions of creatures resembling what we now identify as dinosaurs or other prehistoric animals.

Ancient Hebrew, the primary language of the Old Testament, lacked the scientific classifications we use today. Animals were often described by their appearance, behaviour, or symbolic meaning rather than taxonomic accuracy. This opens the door to a range of interpretations, literal, metaphorical, and speculative. While many Bible scholars interpret these creatures as known animals like hippopotamuses, crocodiles, or whales, others, particularly among young-earth creationists, believe these texts could be referring to creatures that have since gone extinct, possibly even dinosaurs that coexisted with early humans.

This lack of specific terminology does not diminish the potential significance of these descriptions. Instead, it invites readers to consider how ancient peoples understood the natural world and how their descriptions of powerful, awe-inspiring creatures may parallel what we now understand through science. Whether interpreted as literal historical accounts or as poetic illustrations of God’s majesty, these passages contribute to the rich and complex conversation about how the Bible intersects with the history of life on Earth.

Possible Dinosaur Descriptions in the Bible

Although the Bible does not use the word “dinosaur,” it contains vivid and poetic descriptions of creatures that have sparked debate among scholars, theologians, and creationists for centuries. Two of the most frequently discussed are Behemoth and Leviathan, both mentioned in the book of Job, a text considered to be one of the oldest in the Bible. These descriptions are found in a context where God is reminding Job of the greatness of His creation, using majestic and seemingly untamable creatures to illustrate His divine power and authority. The characteristics of these animals have led some readers to speculate that they may refer to creatures resembling dinosaurs or other extinct animals.

Behemoth (Job 40:15-24)

One of the most striking examples comes from Job 40, where God describes Behemoth, a powerful land animal of enormous strength:

“Look at Behemoth, which I made 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 his iron rods.”

Job 40:15-18 (NIV)

This passage emphasises Behemoth’s strength, size, and vegetarian diet. God portrays this creature as one of the chief examples of His creative power, so massive and impressive that no human can subdue it. The description of its tail, which “sways like a cedar,” has become a key point of debate. While traditional interpretations often identify Behemoth as a hippopotamus or elephant, both large, herbivorous animals, critics of this view argue that neither animal has a tail remotely comparable in size or strength to that of a cedar tree.

Because of this, some young-earth creationists propose that Behemoth might have been a sauropod dinosaur, a long-necked, plant-eating dinosaur such as Apatosaurus or Brachiosaurus. These dinosaurs had long, massive tails that could be likened to a swaying cedar. Supporters of this interpretation often cite this passage as potential biblical evidence that humans and dinosaurs coexisted, perhaps before or shortly after the global flood described in Genesis.

However, other scholars view Behemoth as a symbolic or poetic figure rather than a literal animal, emphasising that Job is part of Hebrew wisdom literature, which frequently uses metaphor to communicate deeper truths.

Leviathan (Job 41; Psalm 104:26; Isaiah 27:1)

Leviathan is another enigmatic creature described in Scripture, most famously in Job 41, where it is presented as a fearsome sea monster:

“Can you pull in Leviathan with a fishhook or tie down its tongue with a rope? … Its snorting throws out flashes of light; its eyes are like the rays of dawn. Flames stream from its mouth; sparks of fire shoot out.”

Job 41:1, 18–19 (NIV)

This passage portrays Leviathan as untamable, dangerous, and awe-inspiring, capable of breathing fire and impervious to weapons. Other references to Leviathan appear in Psalm 104:26, which mentions it frolicking in the sea, and in Isaiah 27:1, where it is described as a “twisting serpent” that God will one day slay, symbolising chaos and evil.

Interpretations of Leviathan vary widely. Some believe it may refer to a real, albeit exaggerated, animal such as a crocodile, whale, or large sea creature. The references to fire and invincibility may be viewed symbolically, representing God’s power over nature and evil. In Jewish and Christian traditions, Leviathan is sometimes seen as a representation of Satan or a force of cosmic disorder that God will ultimately defeat.

Yet others, particularly within young-earth creationist circles, suggest that Leviathan could have been a type of marine reptile, such as a plesiosaur or mosasaur, large, prehistoric creatures known from fossil records. They argue that ancient people might have encountered or heard of such creatures through oral tradition, and that the biblical account preserves a memory of their existence.

Some even point to the “fire-breathing” description as an argument for the historical existence of dragon-like creatures, proposing that perhaps some now-extinct animals had biological features capable of producing heat or light, though this remains purely speculative.

Whether one sees Behemoth and Leviathan as literal animals, poetic representations, or mythological symbols, their presence in the Bible underscores humanity’s ancient fascination with the mysterious and the mighty. These passages continue to inspire discussion, curiosity, and reflection on the wonders of creation, known and unknown.

Young-Earth vs. Old-Earth Creationist Views

Interpretations of dinosaurs in the Bible and the question of whether they are referenced at all often hinge on one’s broader view of the age of the Earth and how the book of Genesis should be interpreted. Two primary camps within the Christian community, Young-Earth Creationists and Old-Earth Creationists, offer differing perspectives on the timeline of Earth’s history, the fossil record, and the relationship between Scripture and science.

Young-Earth Creationist View

Young-Earth Creationists (YEC) maintain that the Earth is relatively young, typically between 6,000 and 10,000 years old. This view is based on a literal interpretation of the Bible’s genealogies and the creation account in Genesis chapters 1–2. According to this perspective, God created the heavens and the Earth in six literal 24-hour days. On Day 6, God created land animals and humans (Genesis 1:24-31), including dinosaurs, as they were also land-dwelling creatures.

Proponents of this view argue that because dinosaurs were part of the original creation, they must have coexisted with humans. Supporters frequently reference the descriptions of Behemoth and Leviathan as potential dinosaur-like creatures that lived during biblical times. According to this model, dinosaurs lived on Earth until the global flood described in Genesis 6–9. Many young-earth theorists believe that the catastrophic nature of the flood could explain the fossil record, suggesting that rapid burial in sediment led to the preservation of dinosaur bones and other fossils.

In this view, dinosaurs may have been aboard Noah’s Ark as juvenile representatives of their “kinds” and possibly went extinct due to the post-flood climate, lack of resources, or human activity. This interpretation rejects the mainstream scientific timeline of millions of years and instead attributes the apparent age of fossils and rock layers to rapid geological processes during and after the flood.

Organisations like Answers in Genesis and the Institute for Creation Research advocate strongly for this position, offering resources that aim to reconcile modern paleontological discoveries with a literal biblical worldview.

Old-Earth Creationist View

On the other hand, old-Earth Creationists (OEC) accept the scientifically established age of the Earth, approximately 4.5 billion years, as well as the broader timeline of the universe and fossil record. This group believes the Genesis creation account is not necessarily intended to be read as a scientific or literal historical timeline. Instead, it may be understood as symbolic, poetic, or structured in a literary framework that communicates theological truths rather than scientific detail.

From this perspective, dinosaurs lived and went extinct millions of years before humans appeared on Earth. OECs argue that God created life progressively over vast periods, and that the fossil record reflects the unfolding of God’s creative work through natural processes guided by divine intention.

Old-Earth Creationists tend to see no conflict between faith and science, believing that Scripture and nature are revelations of God, Scripture being His written word and nature His created world. Therefore, scientific findings about the age of the Earth, the universe, and extinct creatures like dinosaurs can be harmonised with a faithful interpretation of the Bible.

They may interpret Genesis 1’s “days” as long periods (a view called the “Day-Age” theory) or see the creation narrative as a thematic or functional description of God ordering the cosmos, rather than detailing a chronological sequence of events.

Prominent advocates of this view include organisations like Reasons to Believe, founded by astrophysicist Dr. Hugh Ross. This organisation presents a model that respects both the authority of Scripture and the findings of contemporary science.

Young-Earth and Old-Earth Creationist views aim to honour the authority of the Bible. Still, they differ significantly in interpreting the Genesis account, the fossil record, and the nature of scientific evidence. These differences have led to rich and sometimes contentious debates within Christian circles, as believers seek to understand the relationship between faith and the natural world. For many Christians, exploring these views is not just about dinosaurs; it’s about how we read and trust Scripture in a world filled with scientific discovery and mystery.

Dinosaurs as Part of God’s Creation

Regardless of one’s interpretive stance, whether young-earth, old-earth, or theistic evolution, many Christians believe that dinosaurs, like all life forms, are part of God’s creative work. Although the Bible does not explicitly mention dinosaurs by name, their existence is widely understood to be consistent with the biblical affirmation that God is the Creator of all things, both seen and unseen.

In Genesis 1, the creation account culminates in a profound declaration of the goodness of God’s work:

“God saw all he had made, which was very good.”

— Genesis 1:31 (NIV)

This verse serves as a foundational statement about the nature of creation: everything God made, from the smallest microbe to the most massive land and sea creatures, including, presumably, the dinosaurs, was declared “very good.” Therefore, dinosaurs can be understood as part of the vast and intricate diversity of life that reflects the Creator’s creativity, power, and wisdom.

From fossilised bones to the massive scale and complexity of their anatomy, dinosaurs are a testament to the grandeur and variety in God’s design. The towering skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex or the long neck of a Brachiosaurus reveals a world filled with astonishing forms of life, each intricately made and suited to its environment. For many believers, these ancient creatures are not an embarrassment to biblical faith but rather a marvel that deepens awe toward the God who made all things.

Some Christians also point to passages like Psalm 104:24, which says:

“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the Earth is full of your creatures.”

This verse celebrates the abundance and variety of life, reminding readers that every part of creation, extinct or living, has its place in God’s purposes. Whether they roamed the Earth thousands or millions of years ago, dinosaurs were part of a world that reflected God’s glory, even if their time on Earth has passed.

Moreover, the existence of extinct creatures like dinosaurs is a humbling reminder of the vastness of Earth’s history and humanity’s relatively recent arrival on the scene. It invites us to consider the mysteries of God’s creation and the unfolding of His plan across time. It also reinforces a theological truth echoed throughout Scripture: that God’s work is bigger than what we see or experience in the present moment.

In this light, dinosaurs are not just prehistoric animals but evidence of God’s boundless imagination. Their fossils, preserved in stone, are like signatures of the Creator embedded in the fabric of the Earth, inviting discovery, reflection, and reverence.

Whether one believes that dinosaurs walked alongside early humans or lived in a prehistoric age long before humanity, their role in creation remains significant. As part of God’s handiwork, dinosaurs remind us of the natural world’s wonder, complexity, and majesty, one that ultimately points back to its Maker.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly mention dinosaurs by name, understandably so, given that the term dinosaur was not coined until the 19th century, it does contain poetic and awe-inspiring descriptions of powerful, mysterious creatures that have led some to speculate about their possible connection to the dinosaurs we know from the fossil record. Behemoth and Leviathan, described in the book of Job, continue to spark curiosity and debate among scholars, theologians, and believers alike. Whether these creatures are taken as literal dinosaurs, symbolic representations of chaos and power, or ancient mythological beasts, they serve a greater purpose within the biblical narrative: to highlight God’s unmatched power, authority, and wisdom as the Creator of all things.

The discussion about dinosaurs in the context of Scripture touches on deeper questions of faith, science, interpretation, and the nature of divine revelation. Whether one adheres to a young-earth or old-earth perspective, or holds a more metaphorical view of Genesis, the presence of life forms like dinosaurs fits within the larger biblical theme that “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). Dinosaurs, whether they walked with humans or roamed the Earth millions of years before us, are still part of the universe God spoke into being.

For many Christians, dinosaurs offer a unique bridge between faith and science. Their massive size, complex structure, and sudden extinction provoke awe and wonder, inviting us to reflect on the natural processes of life and death and the vastness of God’s creation across time and space. They are a reminder that God’s creative work extends beyond human understanding and is filled with beauty, mystery, and majesty.

In the end, dinosaurs do more than populate museum exhibits or entertain through films and books. For believers, they also testify to the greatness of God, His capacity to create with unimaginable diversity and scale. Even in extinction, these ancient creatures continue to declare, in their way, the glory of their Maker. As Psalm 19:1 proclaims, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Dinosaurs, too, are part of that declaration, a testament to the grandeur and mystery of the natural world God has made.

What Does the Bible Say About Dinosaurs?

DTA – Neil McBride

(CEO and founder of Downtown Angels)