Behemoth

A plural Hebrew word usually translated “beasts” or “wild animals” (as in Deuteronomy 28:26; 32:24; Psalm 50:10; Isaiah 18:6; 2 Esdras 6:49, 51; Habakkuk 2:17). Most English translations only refer to a “behemoth” once, when the context seems to refer to the specific animal. The animal was large and powerful. Many biblical scholars believe that it was a hippopotamus (Job 40:15). In ancient times, the hippopotamus was well known in Egypt and may have lived in the Jordan Valley. Job 40:23 may refer to any river that flooded like the Jordan in flood season.

See Hippopotamus.