Freethought & Rationalism Archive

sashang · 05-04-2004, 01:50 AM

Job 40:15-24 contains a descriptive passage that seems to describe what most people would call a dinosaur. Some people think that it describes an elephant or hippo but the bit about 'He moves his tail like a cedar' doesn't fit an elephant or hippo. I've read that it could be a mistranslation and 'tail' should read 'penis'. That seems a bit of a stretch though. So what other options are there?

Blueye · 05-04-2004, 03:24 AM

Sashang,

I have one. Forget Dinosaurs for the while and focalize on all fossils.

sashang · 05-04-2004, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueye

I have one. Forget Dinosaurs for the while and focalize on all fossils.

The fossil evidence shows that dinosaurs once existed. Scientific dating methods show that they existed millions of years ago. I don't want to argue the validity of those methods - that's a separate thread. However in Job 40:15-24 a description of an animal that bears a striking resemblance to a dinosaur is given. This means that the writer of Job knew of dinosaurs and had probably seen them before, which means that they existed at the same time as humans. This conflicts with what science says about the age of dinosaurs. Either science is wrong and the author of Job is describing a dinosaur or science is right and the author of Job is describing an animal not a dinosaur. Any alternatives?

liamo · 05-04-2004, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sashang

Either science is wrong and the author of Job is describing a dinosaur or science is right and the author of Job is describing an animal not a dinosaur. Any alternatives?

Yes: the author of Job is describing a mythical creature, just like Odysseus's Cyclops, the manticore, Cerberus, etc.

liam

JoyJuice · 05-04-2004, 04:06 AM

Quote:

15 "Look at the behemoth,
which I made along with you
and which feeds on grass like an ox.
16 What strength he has in his loins,
what power in the muscles of his belly!
17 His tail sways like a cedar;
the sinews of his thighs are close-knit.
18 His bones are tubes of bronze,
his limbs like rods of iron.
19 He ranks first among the works of God,
yet his Maker can approach him with his sword.
20 The hills bring him their produce,
and all the wild animals play nearby.
21 Under the lotus plants he lies,
hidden among the reeds in the marsh.
22 The lotuses conceal him in their shadow;
the poplars by the stream surround him.
23 When the river rages, he is not alarmed;
he is secure, though the Jordan should surge against his mouth.
24 Can anyone capture him by the eyes,

As with Isaiah and Ezekeil it's "double reference" prophecy, and it's actually prophecy of the strength of Jesus. You'll need "spiritual discernment" and not the "carnal mind" to see it, but it's plain as the nose on one's face.

Jack the Bodiless · 05-04-2004, 04:23 AM

It is remotely possible that the author WAS describing a dinosaur.

Dinosaur fossils haven't just appeared recently: ancient peoples could see them too. Many Chinese still refer to dinosaur fossils as "dragon bones" and grind them up for use in traditional Chinese medicines, to the horror of paleontologists.

Blueye · 05-04-2004, 04:35 AM

Yes, so much crucial fossils just grinded for dubious use.
Disgusting. Can't change the past.

sashang · 05-04-2004, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueye

I have one. Forget Dinosaurs for the while and focalize on all fossils.

The fossil evidence shows that dinosaurs once existed. Scientific dating methods show that they existed millions of years ago. I don't want to argue the validity of those methods - that's a separate thread. However in Job 40:15-24 a description of an animal that bears a striking resemblance to a dinosaur is given. This means that the writer of Job knew of dinosaurs and had probably seen them before, which means that they existed at the same time as humans. This conflicts with what science says about the age of dinosaurs. Either science is wrong and the author of Job is describing a dinosaur or science is right and the author of Job is describing an animal not a dinosaur. Any alternatives?

Blueye · 05-04-2004, 06:57 AM

Sashang,

Ok because you insist, there is another alternative.
Job never seen something, all was invented.

Clever, isn't it?

Blue

jman0904 · 05-04-2004, 07:10 AM

Sashang, please refrain from double posting like that.

05-04-2004, 01:50 AM	#1
sashang Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: new zealand Posts: 20	Dinosaurs and the bible Job 40:15-24 contains a descriptive passage that seems to describe what most people would call a dinosaur. Some people think that it describes an elephant or hippo but the bit about 'He moves his tail like a cedar' doesn't fit an elephant or hippo. I've read that it could be a mistranslation and 'tail' should read 'penis'. That seems a bit of a stretch though. So what other options are there?

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05-04-2004, 03:24 AM	#2
Blueye Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western Europe Posts: 16	Sashang, I have one. Forget Dinosaurs for the while and focalize on all fossils.

05-04-2004, 04:23 AM	#6
Jack the Bodiless Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: UK Posts: 5,815	It is remotely possible that the author WAS describing a dinosaur. Dinosaur fossils haven't just appeared recently: ancient peoples could see them too. Many Chinese still refer to dinosaur fossils as "dragon bones" and grind them up for use in traditional Chinese medicines, to the horror of paleontologists.

05-04-2004, 04:35 AM	#7
Blueye Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western Europe Posts: 16	Yes, so much crucial fossils just grinded for dubious use. Disgusting. Can't change the past.

05-04-2004, 06:57 AM	#9
Blueye Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western Europe Posts: 16	Sashang, Ok because you insist, there is another alternative. Job never seen something, all was invented. Clever, isn't it? Blue

05-04-2004, 07:10 AM	#10
jman0904 Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Oregon, the new Least Religious State in America Posts: 453	Sashang, please refrain from double posting like that.

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