Playing with Leviathan: Interpretation and Reception of Monsters from the Biblical World

Koert van Bekkum, Ph.D. (2010) Theological University, Kampen, is Assistant Professor of Old Testament at that university. He is author of From Conquest to Coexistence. Ideology and Antiquarian Intent in the Historiography of Israel’s Settlement in Canaan (Brill, 2011).Jaap Dekker, Ph.D. (2004) Theological University, Apeldoorn, holds the Henk de Jong Chair as Professor of Biblical Studies and Identity at that university. He published Zion’s Rock-Solid Foundations. An Exegetical Study of the Zion Text in Isaiah 28:16 (Brill, 2007).Henk van de Kamp, Ph.D. (1990) Theological University, Kampen, is minister of the Reformed Church (liberated) in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands.Eric Peels, Ph.D. (1992) Theological University, Apeldoorn, is Professor of Old Testament at that university. He published The Vengeance of God. The Meaning of the Root NQM and the Function of the NQM-texts in the Context of Divine Revelation in the Old Testament (Brill, 1995).Contributors are: Nicholas Ansell, Koert van Bekkum, Gijsbert van den Brink, Ad de Bruijne, Jaap Dekker, Kees Haak, Rob van Houwelingen, Henk van de Kamp, Dirk van Keulen, Marjo Korpel, Anique de Kruijf, Gert Kwakkel, Johannes de Moor, Michael Mulder, Eric Peels, Reinier Sonneveld, Theo van Spanje, and Ben van Werven.

• ContentsPart 1: Ancient Near East1 The Leviathan in the Ancient Near EastMarjo Korpel and Johannes de MoorPart 2: Old Testament2 God and the Dragons in the Book of IsaiahJaap Dekker3 As a Fish on Dry Land. Some Remarks on Tannîn in EzekielBen van Werven4 “Is Your Rage Against the Rivers, Your Wrath Against the Sea?” Storm-God Imagery in Habakkuk 3Koert van Bekkum5 The Monster as a Toy. Leviathan in Psalm 104:26 77Gert Kwakkel6 “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find The(ir Wisdo)m”. Behemoth and Leviathan in the Book of Job 90Nicholas AnsellPart 3: Early and Rabbinic Judaism7 Leviathan on the Menu of the Messianic Meal. The Use of Various Images of Leviathan in Early Jewish TraditionMichael MulderPart 4: New Testament and Early Christianity 8 Romans 16:17–20a: Imminent Danger and Victory Theo van Spanje9 The Air Combat between Michael and the Dragon. Revelation 12:7–12 in Relation to Similar Texts from the New TestamentRob van Houwelingen10 Leviathan and the Monsters in RevelationHenk van de KampPart 5 Theological Reflections11 God and the Suffering of AnimalsGijsbert van den Brink12 “God Deals More Roughly with His Creature than We Would Like”. Leviathan in the Work of Arnold A. van RulerDirk van Keulen13 Modern Political Society as Leviathan. Interpretation and Application of Thomas Hobbes’ Use of a Biblical Symbol Ad de Bruijne14 The Dragon / Snake in Myth, Religion and Mission. Fear of Death Defeated by the Message of LifeKees HaakPart 6 Iconographic Representations15 A Glimpse of the Beast. Leviathan in Late Medieval and Early Modern ArtAnique de Kruijf16 Incarnations of Death: Leviathan in the MoviesReinier SonneveldIndex of Ancient SourcesIndex of Geographical and Personal NamesIndex of SubjectsIndex of Modern Authors