What Does the Bible Say About Dinosaurs?
Dinosaurs are some of the most fascinating creatures to ever walk the earth, but what does the Bible say about them? Does Scripture mention dinosaurs? And how do they fit into a biblical worldview?
Did Dinosaurs Exist?
The fossil record clearly shows that dinosaurs once lived. From a biblical perspective, we understand that all land animals were created on the sixth day of creation:
Genesis 1:24-25 — “And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.’ And it was so.”
This means that dinosaurs were created alongside mankind, not millions of years before. They were part of God’s original, perfect creation.
Are Dinosaurs in the Bible?
While the word “dinosaur” does not appear in Scripture (the term wasn’t coined until the 1800s), the Bible does describe massive creatures that fit the description of dinosaurs.
Behemoth: A Dinosaur-Like Creature
The book of Job describes a creature called Behemoth:
Job 40:15-18 — “Behold, Behemoth, which I made as I made you; he eats grass like an ox. Behold, his strength in his loins, and his power in the muscles of his belly. He makes his tail stiff like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together. His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like bars of iron.”
Some have suggested Behemoth was an elephant or hippopotamus, but neither of these animals has a tail like a “cedar tree.” This description better fits a large, plant-eating dinosaur like a Brachiosaurus.
Leviathan: A Fearsome Sea Creature
Another massive creature, Leviathan, is described in Scripture:
Job 41:1 — “Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook or press down his tongue with a cord?”
Later verses describe Leviathan as having impenetrable scales and even breathing fire (Job 41:18-21). This could refer to a massive sea reptile, possibly similar to the Plesiosaur or another extinct marine creature.
When Did Dinosaurs Go Extinct?
According to evolutionary theories, dinosaurs died out millions of years ago. But this is not true. A biblical worldview suggests that dinosaurs lived alongside humans about 6 thousand years ago and likely became extinct due to the noaic flood and post-flood environmental changes.
The Bible records a global flood in the days of Noah (Genesis 6-8). Two of every kind of land animal were brought onto the ark (Genesis 7:15), which included young dinosaurs. After the flood, harsher conditions and human activity likely contributed to their extinction.
The Bible does not use the word “dinosaur,” but it does describe massive creatures that match what we now call dinosaurs. These creatures were part of God’s creation and likely went extinct during and shortly after the flood Ultimately, the biblical account of creation provides a strong foundation for understanding dinosaurs within God’s plan.