The Great Serpent

This edition presents a fundamental study of Jewish and Christian traditions about Leviathan as the ruler of the underworld, the foundation of the world, and the embodiment of evil. The book explores the tradition of Leviathan in all its historical complexity through a wide range of sources: from ancient Mesopotamian and Old Testament texts to later rabbinic and Kabbalistic works. Special attention is paid to the images found in the Book of Job, the Revelation of John the Theologian, and the Revelation of Abraham. The study shows that in some mystical traditions, Leviathan is presented as the living embodiment of the deepest divine secrets that will be fully revealed to the righteous only at the end of times. The book will be interesting and useful for theologians, biblical scholars, religious studies scholars, cultural historians, as well as a wide audience of readers.