Dictionary of all Scriptures & Myths

BEHEMOTH, THE GREAT BULL 

A symbol of the astro-physical matrix of all living things in the lower nature. It proceeds from its prototype upon the buddhic plane, and is fertilised by the mental seed-germs of all forms.

"The word behemoth literally means beasts, from the singular noun behemah, from the word baham, to be dumb." "By Behemoth and Leviathan are symbolised the two great hindrances of human salvation, viz. the Flesh and the Devil. . . . To speak more precisely, it seems probable that Behemoth represents the Evil One acting in the animal and carnal elements of man's own constitution, and that Leviathan symbolises the Evil One energising as his external enemy. Behemoth is the Enemy within us, Leviathan is the Enemy without us." - WORDSWORTH, Bible, Job, p. 95.

"Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox, etc." - Job xl. 15-24.

The astro-physical nature is said to be made in alliance with the mental nature, and to have its life awakened by the faint aspirations or desires (grass) on the lower planes. Its manifestation (strength) is in the lower nature (loins, belly, etc.). It is the means whereby the Divine scheme of soul-probation is to be carried out (chief of the ways of God), the "sword of the spirit," or Divine will, being exercised upon it.

"Hail, holy Bull, beneficent, who makest increase. Who dost bestow thy gifts upon the faithful. Hail to thee whom Ahriman kills." - Vendidad, XXI. 1.

The prototype of the lower quaternary being on the buddhic plane, it is said to die on its descent to relativity (Ahriman) on the lower planes. As it contains the promise and potencies of perfection, it bestows the higher qualities upon the faithful in proportion to their efforts. "In the names Behemut and Levitiya, sometimes given respectively to this Bull and Fish (of the Ottoman Sufi cosmogony) we seem to recognise the Behemoth and Leviathan of the book of Job." - GIBB, Hist. of Ottoman Poetry, Vol. I. p. 39.

See Also

AHRIMAN
BULL
GRASS
JOB
LEVIATHAN
Ox (sarsaok)
VISCERA
VITAL AIRS
WOMB, COSMIC