Dinosaurs in the Bible: The Discussion
The question of dinosaurs and the Bible is one of the most common intersections of faith and science. Here's an exploration of the various perspectives.
Learn more in our Dinosaurs Explained collection →
What Does the Bible Say?
The word "dinosaur" doesn't appear in the Bible—it wasn't invented until 1842 by Richard Owen. But some believers point to passages that might describe dinosaur-like creatures.
Behemoth (Job 40:15-24)
The most commonly cited passage:
"Look at Behemoth, which I made along 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..."
- Some say this describes a sauropod dinosaur (long tail "like a cedar")
- Others identify it as a hippopotamus or elephant
- Some see it as a mythological creature
- The "tail like a cedar" is debated (could mean size, stiffness, or metaphor)
Leviathan (Job 41, Psalm 104:26)
- Impenetrable scales
- Fire-breathing ability
- Incredible strength
- Some suggest a marine reptile like Mosasaurus
- Others identify it as a crocodile (enhanced poetically)
- Many see it as mythological
- Fire-breathing presents obvious difficulties for literal interpretation
Dragons
- Isaiah 27:1
- Psalm 74:13
- Various others
- Symbolic of evil or chaos
- Possible cultural memory of dinosaurs (unlikely given timeframes)
- Mythological creatures common to ancient Near East
The Main Perspectives
Young Earth Creationism
Belief: Earth is 6,000-10,000 years old. Dinosaurs lived alongside humans.
- Created on Day 6 with other animals
- Present on Noah's Ark (young dinosaurs)
- Went extinct after the Flood
- Behemoth and Leviathan are literal dinosaurs
Challenges: Scientific evidence strongly indicates dinosaurs died 66 million years ago.
Old Earth Creationism
Belief: Earth is 4.5 billion years old, but God guided creation.
- Dinosaurs lived and died before humans
- The "days" in Genesis are long periods
- No conflict between fossils and faith
- Behemoth/Leviathan aren't necessarily dinosaurs
Theistic Evolution
Belief: Evolution occurred, guided or initiated by God.
- Dinosaurs evolved and went extinct naturally
- The Bible addresses spiritual truth, not science
- Genesis isn't meant as a science textbook
- Full compatibility with paleontology
What Science Shows
- Dinosaurs lived 252-66 million years ago
- No human fossils exist from the dinosaur era
- No dinosaur fossils exist from human era
- Multiple dating methods confirm the timeline
This doesn't necessarily contradict faith—many believers accept the scientific timeline while maintaining their faith.
Finding Common Ground
- Dinosaurs were real creatures
- They lived millions of years ago
- The Bible's purpose is theological, not scientific
- Science and faith can coexist
The specific interpretation varies by denomination and individual.
Famous Believers Who Accept Paleontology
- Francis Collins — NIH Director, evangelical Christian
- John Polkinghorne — Physicist, Anglican priest
- Pope Francis — Accepts evolution and Big Bang
- C.S. Lewis — Accepted an old Earth
The Bottom Line
People of sincere faith hold various views on dinosaurs. Whether you see Behemoth as a literal sauropod or a poetic hippopotamus, what matters is thoughtful engagement with both the text and the evidence.