behemoth

Behemoth is a term of Hebrew origin (from behemah, "beast"), used in ancient Near Eastern literature to denote a large, powerful land creature. In the Book of Job, Behemoth is described as a mighty herbivore created by God, used alongside Leviathan to illustrate the scale of divine creation.

The description notes features such as a massive body, strong limbs, and a tail described as cedar; there is debate about the exact identification. Some scholars propose the hippopotamus or the elephant; others view it as a symbolic or mythical beast rather than a specific species.

In later usage, the term Behemoth has entered general language as a metaphor for anything of extraordinary size or power. It appears in literature, rhetoric, and popular culture as a designated giant entity or force.

Behemoth is also the name of a Polish extreme metal band formed in 1991, led by Adam Darski (Nergal). The band is recognized as a pioneering act in its genre, releasing influential albums and maintaining an international following.

Beyond biblical and musical use, Behemoth appears in various fantasy settings, games, and media as a generic name for colossal creatures.