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Homescience

10 Mysterious creatures from ancient texts explained by science

Discover ten legendary creatures from ancient writings, paired with scientific explanations revealing real animals, natural phenomena and cultural stories.

Gurpreet Singh | November 17, 2025 / 17:19 IST
1/10
1. Behemoth: A gigantic, primeval beast in Job, described with iron‑bar bones, tail like a cedar tree, symbolizing God’s raw strength. (Image: Canva)
1. Behemoth: A gigantic, primeval beast in Job, described with iron‑bar bones, tail like a cedar tree, symbolizing God’s raw strength. (Image: Canva)
2/10
2. Leviathan: A monstrous sea serpent in Job and Psalms: scaly, fiery, untamable embodiment of chaos that only God can conquer (Image: Canva)
2. Leviathan: A monstrous sea serpent in Job and Psalms. It is scaly, fiery and untamable embodiment of chaos that only God can conquer (Image: Canva)
3/10
3. Tannin: Powerful sea‑monster or dragon‑serpent. Found in Hebrew it often symbolizes primeval evil or chaotic empires. (Image: Canva)
3. Tannin: Powerful sea‑monster or dragon‑serpent. Found in Hebrew it often symbolizes primeval evil or chaotic empires. (Image: Canva)
4/10
4. Rahab: A poetic biblical name sometimes linked with Leviathan. It represents ancient chaos and rebellious powers in Scripture. (Image: Canva)
4. Rahab: A poetic biblical name sometimes linked with Leviathan. It represents ancient chaos and rebellious powers in Scripture. (Image: Canva)
5/10
5. Unicorn: A colossal, griffin‑like mythical bird in Jewish tradition, mentioned in fewer translations. It is mighty enough to block the sun. (Image: Canva)
5. Unicorn: A colossal, griffin‑like mythical bird in Jewish tradition, mentioned in fewer translations. It is mighty enough to block the sun. (Image: Canva)
6/10
6. Pygarg: Known from Leviticus, translated from Greek Septuagint. It perhaps refers to a white‑rumped antelope like the addax. (Image: Canva)
6. Pygarg: Known from Leviticus, translated from Greek Septuagint. It perhaps refers to a white‑rumped antelope like the addax. (Image: Canva)
7/10
7. Wild Ox: The “wild ox” (reem) mentioned in prophecy; likely refers to a powerful, untamed bovine or ancient wild cattle species. (Image: Canva)
7. Wild Ox: The “wild ox” (reem) mentioned in prophecy; likely refers to a powerful, untamed bovine or ancient wild cattle species. (Image: Canva)
8/10
8. Timshemet: A mysterious creature in Leviticus whose identity is debated. It is possibly a bird, reptile, or mythical beast. (Image: Canva)
8. Timshemet: A mysterious creature in Leviticus whose identity is debated. It is possibly a bird, reptile, or mythical beast. (Image: Canva)
9/10
9. Hyena: Biblical texts use the hyena to symbolize heresy or unclean, mysterious creatures wandering desolate places under divine judgment. (Image: Canva)
9. Hyena: Ancient texts use the hyena to symbolize heresy or unclean, mysterious creatures wandering desolate places under divine judgment. (Image: Canva)
10/10
10. Dragon: In some passages, the Hebrew tannin is translated as “dragon,” likely referring to large crocodilian beasts or symbolic evil. (Image: Canva)
10. Dragon: In some passages, the Hebrew tannin is translated as “dragon,” likely referring to large crocodilian beasts or symbolic evil. (Image: Canva)

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