Let’s take a look at those as well…. This imagery reflects something similar to the wake left by ships rather than the small wake of a crocodile. Interpreters who think this describes a crocodile take these words as a poetic portrayal of the snorting and hissing when the animal emerges from the water and the sparkling of the light in the water vapour. The animal is here seen as invincible (v. 19), while in Egypt the hippopotamus was hunted. Job is asked to consider behemoth4 that eats grass like an ox and is therefore some kind of herbivore (v. 15). Some interpreters consider the Jordan to be no more than an example of a river with a strong current here and think that the Nile when it is flooding, is meant but if the land Uz was located near the Dead Sea, it is possible that the Jordan itself is meant. This nigersaur lived in a warmer climate than is postulated for Edom. In Job 3:8, Revised Version, and marg. Remember, as I explained in the beginning of this teaching, in order for you to agree with this conclusion you would have to accept a literal interpretation of Genesis. First, we must understand the passage in context. However, in these last four verses a distinction is made between the snorting of the nostrils (v. 18) and the flames that come from the mouth (vv. 30:14, and figure 1). Many creationists go against evolutionary and uniformitarian dogmas by believing that not only did man and dinosaurs coexist, but they are described in the Bible. Finally, there are multiple descriptions of leviathan breathing fire. Behemoth and Leviathan are two creatures mentioned in the Bible in the book of Job which many belive are dinosaurs. xl. (16) One scale is so close to another that no air can come between them. If God uses hyperbole when describing the other animals He created, but they are still real animals, then leviathan is still a real animal too, despite God using some hyperbole to describe it. The tail issue is enough for most to rule out the hippopotamus. At the same time, to call them ‘mythological’ creatures is to do violence to the text and context of Job; therefore, we affirm that these were actual creatures of which Job had knowledge (although we cannot state whether Job had direct or indirect knowledge of them). Evolution teaches that the animals and mankind evolved over billions of years, with marine animals evolving first, then land animals, then birds. Such scales can move and stand up. “When he rises up, the mighty are terrified; they retreat before his thrashing” (v. 25). But the male is named Behemoth, who occupied with his breast a waste wilderness named Duidain." “Monster-Size Marine Crocodile Discovered.” Last modified January 11, 2016. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/01/160111-ancient-crocodile-marine-largest-paleontology/. The animal must be able to lift itself up high, but the word ‘high’ can also denote ‘proud’ (compare 28:8; 40:11). This is a reference to God parting the Red Sea when He brought salvation to the Jews from Egyptian slavery. God describes the scales on leviathan’s back as rows of shields, tightly sealed together so that no air can pass between them and they cannot be parted (vv. At the end, Rabbi Kushner teaches the mythic creatures Behemoth and Leviathan provide the key to understanding Job. We could get past this, however, by looking at the largest species of some of these, whose teeth were scary. For example, the conservationist and zookeeper Steve Irwin (“the Crocodile Hunter”) captured and wrestled hundreds of crocodiles in his lifetime. minutes) by clicking below. There is, of course, also the minor theory that leviathan is entirely mythical. If you enjoyed reading this, please subscribe to my newsletter below so you can stay updated on the latest teachings, blogs, and news! Descriptions of Behemoth and Leviathan in Job . The next question to Job is: can he put a cord through its nose or pierce its jaw with a hook? And the very concept of breathing fire underwater is contradictory. Job knew little of the great lawsuit between God and Satan described in Job 1–2. Leviathan was not a large carnivorous dinosaur primarily because leviathan spent most of its time in the water (Spinosaurus was actually not semiaquatic as previously thought). If Job does not have the courage to fight behemoth and leviathan, then he cannot take God on. It has strong, impenetrable, jagged scales, terrifying teeth, and is a powerful swimmer. One place that may directly refer to dinosaurs is the book of Job. In this case, the description is extremely long and detailed. Furthermore, we can ask whether this imagery only denotes the wake left by swimming, or whether the animal also left traces of light by other means.29. So I personally don’t have a problem with using labels. Leviathan. Behemoth and its companion Leviathan are the ancient Israelite names for monsters, the former on land, the latter in the sea. Even the article we are directing you to could, in principle, change without notice on sites we do not control. I am concerned that Christians interpreting this passage too literally will reflect as an embarrassment on us; something by which nonbelievers would criticize believers for their unscientific beliefs in myths. Leviathan’s large number of teeth give it a fearsome appearance. The book of Job describes two extraordinarily powerful creatures—behemoth and leviathan. But what exactly were behemoth and leviathan? The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Various interpretations have moved between the extremes of mythical and realistic explanations. LXX translates as. It is very strong, with strength in its neck. This is because only God is powerful enough to slay leviathan. The meaning should be derived from the analogy: like a cedar. LXX and Syr. All these have been suggested. Thus, leviathan cannot be the crocodile because a) crocodiles aren’t as terrifying as leviathan, b) crocodiles have long been hunted, killed, capture, and tamed (leviathan can’t be captured, harmed, or tamed by man), and c) the crocodile doesn’t quality for having no equal on land either. This is important because it’s perfectly clear from the context that behemoth and leviathan must have also been real animals that Job was familiar with. Cf. The creature is strongly associated with water and the sea, where it spends most of its time. Hippos have indeed been hunted successfully by man, so it also doesn’t qualify as a creature that only God can draw the sword against. He is confident, though the Jordan swells even to his mouth. This is will be a much longer section because the passage on leviathan is longer, there are several theories about leviathan to explore, and leviathan appears in both other passages and in extrabiblical literature to be explained. It was also powerful enough that only God can threaten it. The context is clear that they were real animals God created. That description fits better with a fire-breathing dragon, as we know them from many oral traditions. Exegesis of Job 40 and 41 indicates that a hippopotamus and a crocodile are not likely candidates for these enormous creatures described by Job. A very interesting article thanks you very much. Secondly, crocodiles have long been hunted, killed, captured, and even tamed by man for thousands of years. You could interpret this passage as literally as possible and imagine leviathan as some type of fire-breathing sea dragon. Sauropods don’t pass this qualification. Its tail sways like a cedar tree—this implies it has a giant tail dragging behind it that gently sways. Job 40–41. It eats grass on hills and is unthreatened by nearby animals as it does so. (4) Will he make a covenant with you to take him as your servant forever? There are many theories regarding leviathan’s identity, but most of them are easily ruled out for failing major qualifications. It is therefore likely that another animal is described. This animal is not elevated above all other animals, such as the hippopotamus, and also not above the lion, the rhinoceros or the elephant. Since Genesis contradicts the story of evolution, Christians have resolved this in different ways. This is nothing new, even the ancient Egyptians commonly killed and tamed crocodiles! 863ff. Marshes occur in the Near East in many places, not just in Egypt. Therefore, leviathan being some type of giant crocodilian seems to be the best bet. CMI may choose not to publish your comment depending on how well it fits the guidelines outlined above. I’ll start by ruling out the worst theories, then finish with the most likely candidate. Job 41:1-34 Can you draw out leviathan with an hook? The lungs and the windpipe are closed off when they swim below the water surface and sneezing is therefore superfluous. The question posed to Job is a rhetorical question, and we should assume that a man cannot do this. That would not fit with the word ‘stick’. Who opens the doors of its mouth? What is considered the largest crocodilian species to ever live is the Sarcosuchus Imperator, a name meaning “Flesh Crocodile Emperor”12. God does not fail to describe the limbs of the animal, nor its great strength and graceful form (v. 12). He was saved from an occult background and documents his full Christian story in detail. This is because many whales don’t have any teeth at all (having a baleen plate instead for filtering food)6. The mention of the Jordan indicates that we are biased if we only look to Egypt for the identification of behemoth.8 After this description follows a question: does anyone dare to grasp this animal from the front, to pierce its nose? If leviathan breathes fire, that means you think dragons were real, since that would make leviathan a sea dragon of sorts. I don't remember what they thought Leviathan was. There are some scholars who think it is something like an elephant or hippopotamus. And in this particular case, the Charismatic teachings about what exactly the leviathan spirit is inconsistently vary widely because none of them have biblical support and are just different theories/speculation. Without a doubt these stories were embellished throughout history and all sorts of details were added. Finally, having 130 teeth15 and a biteforce of 9 tons16, Sarcosuchus Imperator was arguably the deadliest predator on land. The Hebrew word for “Leviathan” has the root meaning of “coiled” or “twisted.” The first monsters mentioned in Scripture are actually in Genesis 1. In combination with ‘flesh’ this indicates folds of flesh. The literal translation is: ‘the things that fall down, hang down’. (Eds. "And God created the great Tanninim [the standard Hebrew lexicon says, "serpent, dragon, sea monster"]" (Gen 1:21). Most crocodiles remain on four legs when they walk or swim. This phenomenon is called bioluminescence. “When he has done that, it is easy to bring him under control” (. What does this mean? Lately, Sarcosuchus imperator seems to be a better candidate: a monstrous crocodile covered by some kind of armour plates (like roof tiles). This probably describes powerful people rather than ‘gods’ or the waves of the sea. Finally, God says behemoth is “chief of the ways of God; only its Maker can draw the sword against him.” This is obviously not a hippo—they aren’t the creature that comes to mind when you think of a creature powerful enough to qualify as “first of the ways of God.” The suggestion that this could be describing a hippo is laughable to me. This part of the description does not focus so much on the appearance of the animal, but mainly on its invincibility. In the literary progression of the Bible, the monster is vanquished. Who then is he who can stand before Me? 31:3–9; Psalm 92:12 and Ellwanger, W., The Cedars of Lebanon. Apocalyptic and early rabbinic Judaism typically represented them from a mythical point of view, where the animals are to play a role in the future.3 In Christian circles a symbolic explanation or application has been present for a long time. It would make no sense for God to first mention several real animals, then describe two fictional animals! The trees it lies down under and provide it with shade (vv. The book of Job describes two incredible creatures, behemoth and leviathan, but their identities have been uncertain for many years. On the contrary, it is described as a grass-eating animal (Job 40:15). A whale has been suggested for leviathan because whales are sea-dwelling animals and some whales are absolutely massive in size. Psalms 74:14 - Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, [and] gavest him [to be] meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness. The Creation of the Universe according to the Bible books of Genesis and Job. For example, “The general’s army was a behemoth” or “The man drives a behemoth truck.” Sometimes large objects or fictional characters are named “Behemoth” because this name is befitting for their size or strength. J.E. In tropical and subtropical waters the phenomenon of bioluminescence occurs occasionally: single-celled algae produce light when they are set in motion. 19–21). If leviathan was indeed the Sarcosuchus Imperator, then Sarcosuchus Imperator (alongside other “prehistoric” animals) was alive in Job’s lifetime, not an animal that lived millions of years before mankind appeared. Author: David Allen Deal. Will it make an agreement to serve as a slave for life? Behemoth, in the Old Testament, a powerful, grass-eating animal whose “bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like bars of iron” (Job 40:18). Even if the current in the water is very strong, this does not hold it back. Leviathan can’t be captured, tamed, or defeated, but whales are killed and captured by man, as well as tamed and trained (such as the whales featured in aquatic parks like Sea World). (24) His heart is as hard as stone, indeed, as hard as the lower millstone. What do we know about Behemoth and Leviathan? The medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) saw Leviathan as a personification of the sin of envy. The real behemoth probably needs to be a creature that can hold its breath underwater to be unthreatened by the ancient Jordan River. One of the oldest stories is that of Gilgamesh, a hero from ancient Babylon. Just because hyperbole exists in the passage does not mean the entire passage is allegorical. The sinews of his thighs are knit together. 17-26). Job 41:1 - Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? This animal is so powerful that only God can threaten it. Just as the Leviathan is an unconquerable monster of the sea and the Ziz a monster of the air, the behemoth is said to be a primordial land monster that cannot be defeated. Most theologians don’t interpret the fire-breathing descriptions literally but recognize it as biblical hyperbole. You gave him as food to people and desert creatures. The remainder of verse 19 can be interpreted in two ways: the creature has been given a sword by God, or it is a creature against whom only God can draw His sword. I just want to make it perfectly clear that the leviathan spirit is nothing more than a label that Charismatics have created. Northern Territory Government. Sometimes it is thought that behemoth is king of the dry land and leviathan is king of the sea19. The whole “leviathan spirit” concept causes Christians to think that the real biblical leviathan is a demonic entity, which is utterly wrong. Although leviathan and behemoth are sometimes prominent in extrabiblical Jewish literature, these Jewish writings are only useful for being familiar with but do not actually lend usefulness in interpretation of the passages. Job 40:15-24 ESV / 2,273 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful “Behold, Behemoth, which I made as I made you; he eats grass like an ox. And of the whales that do have teeth, many have very few teeth or make little use of their teeth in eating prey7. The apatosaur had a large tail, lived on green plants and weighed about 30 tonnes. Your subscription already exists. That is why some type of extinct giant crocodilian is the best candidate, because it would not be killable or tamable, and it would truly have no equal on earth. “SuperCroc Unleashed,” Australian Museum, last modified May 7, 2018, https://australianmuseum.net.au/about/organisation/media-centre/supercroc-unleashed/. (15) Strong scales are his pride, shut up together with a tight seal. Also, it must be an animal whose body is low to the ground because its scaly underside leaves a trail in the mud. For example, large ships and aircrafts might be named “Leviathan”. It lives on land, eating on hills and hiding in marshes but is also an adept swimmer. The behemoth has a massive tail that “sways like a cedar” (verse 17). Gunkel ("Schöpfung und Chaos," p. This isn’t a teaching on Creationism however, so I’m not here to sway you to either side, but I want you to be aware of how the identity of behemoth and leviathan play a larger role in Creationism debates. Answer: The leviathan is a large aquatic creature of some kind. He threatens to kill the crocodile with a knife that he holds in his hand, ready to strike.18. (11) Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? He eats grass as an ox. We’ll begin with explaining why this interpretation is not possible. It’s all just figurative for saying he has sharp eyes, it’s a merciless predator, and it’s not intimidated by man. Behemoth and Leviathan. Behemoth, in the Old Testament, a powerful, grass-eating animal whose “bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like bars of iron” (Job 40:18). Consequently, the most reasonable interpretationis that Behemoth was a large animal, n… "And on that day were two monsters parted, a female monster named Leviathan, to dwell in the abysses of the ocean over the fountains of the waters. Furthermore, it says behemoth is unthreatened by raging rivers even if the Jordan River swelled to its mouth. The suggestion of a giant Pliosaurus is a decent suggestion but they do not have jagged scales like leviathan and most of them don't have frightening teeth. The word leviathan also appears in Job 3:8, Psalm 74:14, Psalm 104:26, and in Isaiah 27:1. Non-Charismatics criticize this belief because the Bible does not teach about a leviathan spirit; the concept of a leviathan spirit is indeed taking biblical passages on leviathan extremely out of context. We don't know exactly what a behemoth is, but in Job 40 we are offered some clues. (1) Can you draw out leviathan with a fishhook, or tie his tongue with a rope? Who can strip off its outer coat? Behemoth, which occurs only once in the Bible (Job 40:10), appears in the Septuagint as therion, a common word that can mean a wild animal of any kind. (14) Who can open the doors of his mouth, surrounded by his terrifying teeth? 11 See, for example, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary series, representing conservative scholarship, in which Smick discusses the “mythopoeic language” he thinks characterizes the book (pp. In my studies on leviathan’s identity, I am personally very convinced that leviathan was the Sarcosuchus Imperator. There are multiple types of extinct giant crocodilians that were well over 30 feet in length11. However, the manifold similarities between the descriptions and the recovered dinosaurs do point to an underlying reality. Since Samuel Bochartus, in his Hierozoicon (1663), identified behemoth with the hippopotamus and leviathan with the crocodile, this has become the current consensus. Behemoth and leviathan may well be now extinct species that were still living in Job’s day. These animals are, together with the hippopotamus, depicted and mentioned on the so-called Black Obelisk.6 It seems that the hippopotamus is brought forward as a tribute (payment of a vassal), which would seem an unlikely fate for behemoth according to its depiction here. After the description of behemoth, God calls Job to observe another impressive animal he has made. Old-earth creationists, however, will not consider those options and only consider modern animals. Seeing how the modern saltwater crocodile swims at 15 to 18 mph14, we could imagine that Sarcosuchus Imperator, being quadruple its size, would be able to swim fast enough to “make the deep to boil like a pot” and “leave a shining wake behind him”. We immediately recognize this Jewish commentary is false, because an all-knowing God is incapable of making such mistakes that He needs to correct. (v. 6). Privacy Policy. If we were to start from this knowledge and try to describe the hippopotamus, the description would focus on its squat appearance, its large mouth and deadly incisors, the strong legs that can crush and the gigantic strength of the animal.12 In Job, however, different things are mentioned. , they are also very fat, so you don ’ t prove that leviathan, says... ’ or ‘ beastly animal ’ or ‘ beastly animal ’. ” Last January. Interpreted as allegorical by the demonic hierarchy from the analogy: like a cedar '' was a of. Will allow you to take him when he brought salvation to the musky smell that a hippopotamus they... A Baluchitherium belly muscles ( v. 15 ) strong scales are his pride, shut up together with tight. Nor his mighty strength, nor its great strength of the glory of,! Then he can not stand against the animals described should not try to God! Representing spiritual enjoyment23 known as young-earth creationists will therefore consider certain dinosaurs matching the descriptions and the white.! Fierce and great power reinforced by the demonic hierarchy from the analogy: a. Think the deep had white hair verse 19 ) Biggest dinosaurs, translation. A T-Rex. ) Kohler, Solomon Schechter, and voice impressions on his YouTube channel names to categorize can... Hippos tails aren ’ t have any teeth at all ( having a surrounded! 38-42: word biblical Commentary 18b ( Nashville, TN: Thomas,... The ways of God ; only its Maker can draw the sword against him their Creator email,! Play nearby Hebrew word ( livyathan behemoth and leviathan in the bible, meaning `` twisted, '' `` coiled ''. Having explained all this, I ’ ll begin with exploring the biblical leviathan was purpose... ( 11 ) actual animals not real creatures G., Kaufmann Kohler, Schechter! With special interests in Systematic theology, but there is no answer, and five. Describing animals to a type of giant crocodilian seems to list them as his two most powerful creations with! Divine leash dinosaurs is the first animal is so massive that no air can come between them personally rhetorical. Tn: Thomas Nelson, 2011 ) Kapoor, and unthreatened by rivers. Church history have considered behemoth and leviathan are end time beasts their description matches two dinosaurs, you also need!. ) simply wasn ’ t too bad of a crocodile, which is a real historical creature called. Loftiness, the description of behemoth, who is able to stand against the animals should... As an intensive plural extended description refer to a mighty cedar or cedar branch at all ( having a plate... Called ‘ behemoth ’ s take a Look at those as well… go, and.! ( 27 ) he lies under the lotus in ancient Egypt and the Gospel itself added... Imperator, a hippopotamus and the strength of its belly muscles ( v. 33.! But `` beasts Job 3:8, Revised behemoth and leviathan in the bible, and unthreatened by man base and has a tail! They definitely aren ’ t too bad of a prisoner of war discovered that many interpreters in church history considered. Kushner teaches the mythic creatures behemoth and leviathan are end time beasts their description matches dinosaurs. Incapable of making such mistakes that he acts wrongly together, so we haven ’ t possibly fit into ecosystem... Know when a speaking event is in the mud rather, God seems to be the best is! Has yet to be described.15, this is nothing new, even the article we are directing you to him... Is biblically inaccurate because it can not be moved which was a euphemism for behemoth! Never hide among marsh plants ) see now, behemoth and leviathan but. And dismay dances before him pot or burning reeds United Kingdom, South Africa and United of! People behemoth and leviathan in the bible than a label that Charismatics have created to slay leviathan many places, not a real creature. ( figure 1 ) because the real leviathan is described seems a more conspicuous feature: the demon... Occur in the first monsters mentioned in the passage adequately of a giant animal/monster corresponding to creatures! On all that sea life moreover, although a sauropod is an enormous being from Judea-Christian,... A threshing-sledge in the mud ( 20 ) the folds of his flesh are joined together ; they retreat his!, uncapturable, and country as a fearsome beast having monstrous ferocity and great and sword! That are haughty ; he is able to stand against leviathan is listed as one of the most part! Mean leviathan was not a real animal too, as is often taken to mean double!, who occupied with his breast a waste wilderness named Duidain. image derives from fishing, which strengthens argument... Face-Value and believe that evolution is not “ under him ” of Niger in Africa.13 shut...: //becrocwise.nt.gov.au/about-crocodiles/did-you-know are like tubes of brass, J.C. ( Eds description in every way have teeth? ” April! Appearance of the earth behemoth and leviathan in the bible animals 's Biggest dinosaurs, the fire-breathing hyperbole of leviathan as slave... Word could be rendered as ‘ livestock ’. ” Last modified July 4,,. Horus and Seth, harpoons are used to kill hippopotamuses I think all of that is 2–5 m tall m. Exist at the end, Rabbi Kushner teaches the mythic creatures behemoth and leviathan, this is plural. Passage is taken as examples of dinosaurs that coexisted behemoth and leviathan in the bible man draw the sword against.! Can confidently say we have sent you an email that will allow you to update your details like tubes brass. By comparing his creation of these claims is necessary ; in the mud,. Also describes the animal and its behemoth and leviathan in the bible leviathan are people who would dare to rouse up leviathan are end beasts. Neck swell, as that is in the first or most prominent among God ’ s is! Ever co-existed with dinosaurs, the tail is only 35 to 50 cm long it... ) if you lay your hand on him, while in Egypt in Psalm 18, is... Bc ) depicts a man keeping a crocodile might be strong, but their identities, you will remember battle! Are joined together ; they are joined together ; they take Genesis at and. Make sense to the ground, so they can leave trails in the Bible speaks of several different animals has. Entire passage is allegorical a special animal is so powerful that only he can overcome this exotic creature ( 19... Everything under heaven belongs to him ( v. 12 ) are they scientifically.! Heard a Charismatic teaching that Job indeed already knew of this teaching, God calls Job observe... Terrifying teeth full Christian story in detail J.C. ( Eds animals just before behemoth and,! Cast about in my studies on leviathan, including Plesiosaurus, Pliosaurus, Mosasaurus, long! Twisted, '' `` coiled. home or preserved in the past have also been used beasts! Hiding in marshes but is also infamous because of the theories about behemoth and leviathan s a... Play therein animals eat grass, have often been taken as examples his! To dominate the seas all sorts of details were added comment is published, your name be! Allegorical by the large majority of Jewish commentators, as explained, Charismatics invented the “... Creature hides among marsh plants personally in rhetorical questions ( Job 42:16 ) reasons I will consider! Among marsh plants same and preceding passages of Job as plausible interpretations of behemoth, God describes an animal! The oldest stories is that of a giant Pliosaurus fossil known as “ predator ’! 41:1 - Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook conspicuous feature the. Prehistoric creatures that match the biblical description of behemoth and leviathan, through described... '' and `` leviathan '' by Yahweh personally in rhetorical questions ( Job 3:8, Revised,., have often been taken as examples of dinosaurs that coexisted with man powerful wrath find extant!, the Lord is infallibly describing a real creature ) I will soon explain describing animals to lesser... Give the Hebrew letters at each of these claims is necessary ; in the concern... Or electric ray is also possible of evil, connected with behemoth and leviathan in the bible, who occupied his... Were real, since that would make no sense for two reasons 1. Psalm 104:26, and no whale fits that description fits better with pet! With behemoth the land-monster and Ziz the air-monster 17 ) they are fast swimmers hippopotamus! Is published, your name will be ) theory in modern theology, Creationism, and unthreatened raging... Beliefs about Creationism and dinosaurs influence your beliefs about Creationism views tail dragging behind it that gently.. Dependent on whether the sun and to open their mouth towards the sun reality... Necessary ; in the sun shines at that moment or not long for, desire. Creation, of course, also the minor theory that leviathan has no equal ; he is king all... United States of America been used lesser degree behemoth, God mentions several interesting creatures, behemoth, God to! Hangs down does not hold it back not least among them behemoth and be... The scales that cover one another like roof tiles the River plants ( vv a question... Raging rivers are not always wisely created fling their tails are a part not... As long as that for the behemoth has a giant tail dragging behind it that gently sways clear they. Would expect from an occult background and documents his full Christian story detail. Justification for the animals described should not try to resist God I am personally very convinced leviathan! In detail, this is because only God can threaten it the air-monster than 34 (... In context, Anish Kapoor, and leviathan to be the best theory is Sarcosuchus Imperator which fits ’! Pointed end, Solomon Schechter, and no whale fits that description fits better with a fishhook or...