Signification of the word _Leviathan_--Description in the Book of Job--Structure and general habits of the Crocodile--The throat-valve and its use--Position of the nostrils--Worship of the Crocodile--The reptile known in the Holy Land--Two legends respecting its presence there--Mode of taking prey--Cunning of the Crocodile--The baboons and the Crocodile--Speed of the reptile--Eggs and young of the Crocodile, and their enemies--Curious story of the ichneumon and ibis--Modes of capturing the Crocodile--Analysis of Job's description--The Crocodile also signified by the word _Tannin_. Aaron's rod changed into a Tannin--Various passages in which the word occurs--Use of the word by the prophet Jeremiah. The word _Leviathan_ is used in a rather loose manner in the Old Testament, in some places representing a mammalian of the sea, and in others signifying a reptile inhabiting the rivers. As in the most important of these passages the Crocodile is evidently signified, we will accept that rendering, and consider the Crocodile as being the Leviathan of Scripture. The Jewish Bible accepts the word Crocodile, and does not add the mark of doubt. The fullest account of the Leviathan occurs in Job xli., the whole of which chapter is given to the description of the terrible reptile. As the translation of the Jewish Bible differs in some points from that of the Authorized Version, I shall here give the former, so that the reader may be able to compare them with each other. "Canst thou draw out a crocodile with a hook, or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? "Canst thou put a reed into his nose, or bore his jaw through with a thorn? "Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee? "Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him as a servant for ever? "Wilt thou play with him as with a bird, or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? "Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants? "Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons, or his head with fish-spears? "Lay thine hand upon him, thou wilt no more remember the battle. "Behold, the hope of him is in vain; shall not one be cast down at the sight of him? "None is so fierce that dare stir him up; who then is able to stand before Me? "Who hath forestalled Me that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is Mine. "I will not be silent of his parts, nor of the matter of his power, nor of his comely proportion. "Who can uncover the face of his garment? who would enter the double row in his jaw? "Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about. "The strength of his shields are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.