God's Conflict with the Dragon and the Sea: Echoes of a Canaanite Myth in the Old Testament (University of Cambridge Oriental Publications, Series Number 35)

The Old Testament contains a number of interesting poetic references to God's conflict with a dragon, called by names such as Leviathan, Rahab or the twisting serpent, and with the sea. In this original contribution to the background and understanding of the Old Testament Dr Day undertakes a detailed and thorough examination of these allusions. Building on the discovery of the Ugaritic texts, he demonstrates a source for these references within Canaanite mythology. His study further explores the associations of the imagery. Sometimes in the Old Testament the dragon is associated with the creation of the world, or it becomes a symbol of a foreign nation, and in some references it is associated with divine conflict at the end of time. Creation And The Divine Conflict With The Dragon And The Sea -- The Alleged Naturalization Of Leviathan And Behemoth -- The Historicization Of The Divine Conflict With The Dragon And The Sea And The Origin Of The 'conflict With The Nations' Motif -- The Eschatologization Of The Divine Conflict With The Dragon And The Sea -- Summary And Conclusions. John Day. Includes Indexes. Bibliography: P. 190-213. Dr Day undertakes a detailed and thorough examination of God's conflict with a dragon and with the sea in the Old Testament. His study stresses the discovery of the Ugaritic texts and builds on the Canaanite mythology that influences these allusions within the Old Testament.