DRAGON

DRAGON (l.) Hebrews tannim, plural of tan. The name of some unknown creature inhabiting desert places and ruins (Job 30=>29; Psalm 44=>19; Isaiah 13=>22; 34=>13; 43=>20; Jeremiah 10=>22; Micah 1=>8; Malachi 1=>3); probably, as translated in the Revised Version, the jackal (q.v.). (2.) Hebrews tannin. Some great sea monster (Jeremiah 51=>34). In Isaiah 51=>9 it may denote the crocodile. In Genesis 1=>21 (Hebrews plural tanninim) the Authorized Version renders “whales,” and the Revised Version “sea monsters.” It is rendered “serpent” in Exodus 7=>9. It is used figuratively in Psalm 74=>13; Ezekiel 29=>3. In the New Testament the word “dragon” is found only in Revelation 12=>3, 4, 7, 9, 16, 17, etc., and is there used metaphorically of “Satan.” (See WHALE.)