was wotd|2006|July|3
English
wikipedia
Etymology
From Hebr. ����ת (B�h�môth), the name of a creature mentioned in the Book of Job. It is most likely a plural form of ���� (b�h�m�h "animal"). It may be an example of pluralis excellentiae, a Hebrew method of expressing greatness by pluralizing a noun; it thus indicates that Behemoth is the largest and most powerful animal. It is also suspected that it is derived from the ancient Egyptian name for the hippopotamus, 'pehemau', which literally translates as "water ox." 1 The word entered into Middle English at around the 14th century from late Latin.
Pronunciation
IPA|/b��hi�m�θ/
audio|en-us-behemoth.ogg|Audio (US)
Noun
en-noun
- A great and mighty beast described in Job 40:15-24 used to illustrate God's mightiness.
- A great and mighty monster.
- Something which has the qualities of great power and might, and monstrous proportions.
Synonyms
(something of great size and power): colossus, leviathan, mammoth, titan
Quotations
1611 � w:King James Version of the Bible|King James Version of the Bible, s:Bible, King James, Job|Job 40:15-18
:Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.<br/>Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.<br/>He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.<br/>His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
2001 � w:Eoin Colfer|Eoin Colfer, Artemis Fowl, p 58
:Next she doused the smouldering troll with the contents of the restaurant's fire extinguisher, hoping the icy powder wouldn't revive the sleeping behemoth.
Translations
trans-top|mighty beast in the Book of Job
Arabic: ب����ث (Bahīmūth) or ب���ت (Bahamūt)
French: Béhémoth
German: Behemot, Moloch m
trans-mid
Hebrew: ����ת (B�h�môth)
Russian: �егемо�
trans-bottom
trans-top|mighty monster
French: béhémoth m
German: Riesentier n
trans-mid
trans-bottom
trans-top|something of great size and power
German: Gigant m
trans-mid
trans-bottom
Derived terms
behemothic
See also
leviathan
io:behemoth
ru:behemoth
te:behemoth
vi:behemoth
zh:behemoth
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