SEA MONSTER

This generally translates the Hebrew word tan·ninʹ (tan·nimʹ, “sea monster” at Eze 29:3 and “marine monster” at Eze 32:2). This term is rendered “big snake” when not mentioned in connection with the sea or water (Jer 51:34) or when a reference to snakes is definitely indicated by the context. (Ex 7:9, 12; compare Ex 4:2, 3.) Undoubtedly tan·ninʹ includes a variety of large marine animals (Ge 1:21; Ps 148:7), but this term is usually employed in a figurative sense. The destruction of Pharaoh and his hosts appears to be alluded to by the phrase: “You [Jehovah] broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters.” (Ps 74:13) At Isaiah 51:9, “sea monster” appears in parallel with Rahab (Egypt; compare Isa 30:7) and hence may denote Egypt, or the reference may be to Pharaoh, as in Ezekiel 29:3 and 32:2. Faithful Job asked whether he himself was “a sea monster” that had to have a guard set over him.​—Job 7:12; see LEVIATHAN.