What does the Bible say about dragons?

tannin, δράκων. It may signify any great serpent or sea monster, symbolical of a huge destructive creature. Nations doomed to destruction and desolation, including Jerusalem, are said to become habitations of dragons. Isa. 34:13; Isa. 35:7; Jer. 9:11; Jer. 10:22; Jer. 51:37. Pharaoh, king of Egypt, is called the great dragon. Ezek. 29:3. As one of God's creatures the dragon is called upon to praise Jehovah. Ps. 148:7. In the N.T. the dragon is a type of Satan and those energised by him. In Rev. 12:3 the "great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns," is symbolical of Satan's power in the form of the Roman empire: it endeavoured, in the person of Herod, to destroy Christ when born. In Rev. 13:2, 4 it is Satan who gives the resuscitated Roman empire in a future day its throne and great authority. In Rev. 13:11 the Antichrist, who has two horns like a lamb, speaks as a dragon. In Rev. 16:13 it is Satan, and in Rev. 20:2 he is described as "that old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan."

“A great red dragon” (Rev. 12:3). He is called in verse 9, “that old serpent,” “the Devil,” “Satan.” Here we get THE supernatural agent behind the scenes, energizing the forces of evil already described.

Verse 9 is very striking. The great dragon, though externally bearing marks which identify him with the Roman Empire, yet personally is Satan. This terrible spirit of evil, like so many human criminals, has several aliases: he is the devil, and also the old serpent of the Garden of Eden. He is also the deceiver of mankind, either directly or through his agents — in this book he is spoken of in this character seven times, the first occurrence being in this verse. In deception he is a practised hand. He deceives the whole world, and Matthew 27:63 shows how effectively he did it with some of the most religious men the world has ever seen. He deceived them into regarding the One who was the truth as "that deceiver."

(1) “The great dragon,” so termed because of his remorseless cruelty. Legend and hieroglyphic paint the dragon as a monster in form and appearance outside the pale of the animal kingdom, a combination of superhuman craft and cruelty.

We are left in no doubt as to who the dragon is, for verse 9 speaks of him as “the great dragon … that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan.” The fact that his color is “red,” shows how Satan is ready to shed the blood of God's saints.

We are left in no doubt as to who the Dragon is. He is described in verse 9 as "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan." Thus, behind all the wickedness of man, which, in the days that precede the coming of Christ, will rise to its fearful height, we are permitted to see that Satan will be the prime mover. Wicked men will come before us, but they are the instruments of Satan who will be the instigator of their evil.

pride." it has a deeper meaning. In Isaiah 27:1 we read: "In that day the LORD with His sore and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan the crooked serpent; and He shall slay the dragon that is in the sea." Here leviathan typifies the power of darkness. Both the behemoth and the leviathan typify Satan, his character and his rule. He is king over all the sons of pride. These two beasts are likewise a good description of the beasts spoken of in Revelation, which at the end of this age will manifest their power and pride as Satan's masterpieces. And now the deduction which Job could easily make. If he is proud then he belongs to leviathan the king who rules over the sons of pride. Jehovah has touched the secret in Job's bosom. He has searched out the depths of his heart. Pride, the Devil's crime, has been cherished by him. And now with the heart laid bare by Jehovah's dealing we shall hear Job's voice once more.

The great crisis is arrived. Not only does Jehovah come out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth is compelled to disclose her deeds of blood, and her slain shall be covered no more; but there are yet greater things. For "in that day Jehovah with his sore and great and strong sword will visit leviathan, the piercing serpent (or, fugitive), and leviathan, the crooked serpent; and he will slay the dragon (or, monster) that is in the sea" (v. 1).* It is the execution of divine judgement on the power of Satan, figuratively set forth under forms suited to describe his hostility as at work against Israel among the Gentiles. "The day of Jehovah" takes in not only the thousand years of peaceful reign, but a little more.

Isaiah 27 continues the theme in somewhat poetic language. Note how four times is repeated the phrase, "In that day." Judgment in the first place will reach the evil power that lies beneath the restless "sea" of nations. This "dragon" that is in the sea can be no other than Satan, and Revelation 20 reveals how he will be dealt with. Then at last Israel will be no longer a fruitless vine but rather "A vineyard of red wine." Then peace will ensue and Israel will be like a tree that is full of blossom, and fill the face of the world with fruit; becoming what God from the outset intended them to be. This will never come to pass as the result of their efforts. They will have to fulfil what is said at the beginning of verse 5, "let him take hold of My strength."

The following seven divisions are distinctly marked: Isa. 1 — Isa. 12: The sinful condition of the people as still in possession of the land; various pleadings and chastisements culminating in the Assyrian; the introduction of Immanuel; ends with a song. Isa. 13 — Isa. 27: Judgements on Babylon and the nations where Israel was captive and outcast; ends in deliverance from their outcast condition and worship at Jerusalem. Isa. 28 — Isa. 35: Five woes on unfaithful Israel; ends with deliverance from the Assyrian and the confederacy of nations, and the joy of the kingdom. Isa. 36 — Isa. 39: Historical, but typical; the way of blessing for Jerusalem and the house of David. Isa. 40 — Isa. 48: Controversy of God with Israel on account of idolatry. Cyrus (type of Christ) the deliverer. Isa. 49 — Isa. 57: Controversy of God with Israel on account of the rejected suffering Messiah. Isa. 58 — Isa. 66: Final results; the remnant delivered and blessed. Isa. 1 — Isa. 4. are introductory. The 'sinful nation' was completely corrupt, and had been sorely chastised; there was no soundness from head to foot; though chastened, there was no contrition, and God's judgements must still follow. There is also grace in store for the latter days: Zion will be a centre of blessing, and a remnant will be saved. Isa. 5. Israel was God's vineyard and the men of Judah His pleasant plant: the people were judged in view of the care God had bestowed on them, no remnant is mentioned: cf. Matt. 21:33-41. Isa. 6. The people were unfit for their Messiah, but will be judged in view of His coming glory: a remnant is acknowledged. Isa. 7. Immanuel, Son of David, is introduced as a sign for faith, when unbelief was seeking a confederacy. The house of David after the flesh is judged: still there is hope. See IMMANUEL. Isa. 8 — Isa. 9:7. The Assyrians overrun the land, and the confederacy of nations is to be brought to nought. A remnant, 'my brethren,' is attached to Immanuel, who is a stone of stumbling to the unbelieving nation, but a light amid the darkness until He is received in power and glory. Isa. 9:8 — Isa 10. The national history is resumed from the end of Isa. 5. Various judgements from the Lord are detailed until the last judgement by means of the Assyrian, who is used as a rod by God, and then is punished for his pride in the last days. Isa. 11. Messiah, the 'Branch,' and His reign the source of millennial blessing. Isa. 12. Israel's song of triumph in that day: compare with Ex. 15. Isa. 13 — Isa. 24. 'Burdens' are pronounced. They are judgements on Babylon and the nations, especially on those who were in relationship with Israel. Moab, Damascus, "the land shadowing with wings which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia," Egypt, "the desert of the sea," Dumah, Arabia, "the valley of vision" (Jerusalem), Tyre, "the earth [or land] made empty and waste, and turned upside down;" and finally the hosts on high and kings on the earth punished. Isa. 25, Isa. 26. A song in which God's intervention is celebrated, even to the swallowing up of death in victory. Isa. 27. The power of Satan, "leviathan, the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent" is destroyed, and worship established in Jerusalem. Isa. 28 — Isa. 35. give details of all that will happen to the Jews in the last days. They make a covenant with death and with hell, but their covenant will be disannulled. Security is in the Stone laid in Zion, all else will perish. Isa. 29. Judgements are pronounced against Jerusalem under the name of Ariel, 'lion of God'; deliverance comes when at the last extremity, but a far worse judgement, a spirit of blindness, rests on the people. In the day of deliverance the remnant will come to understanding, the scorner being consumed. Isa. 30, Isa. 31. They seek counsel of and trust in Egypt instead of in God. Isa. 32. Christ will reign in righteousness: desolation is followed by restoration. Isa. 33. The attack of a spoiler in the character of Gog (Ezek. 38), but the Lord, having filled Zion with judgement and righteousness, arises and the enemy is destroyed, and Zion is in peace. Isa. 34, Isa. 35. Final judgement pronounced upon Idumaea and other nations (cf. Ps. 83); and the blessings that will succeed the judgement. Isa. 36 — Isa. 39. treat of Hezekiah and Sennacherib. Waiting upon the Lord is enforced. The deliverance wrought is figurative of the outward deliverance there will be from the Assyrian for Jerusalem and the house of David in the last days. Hezekiah's personal history is appended to this, as figurative of the nation's sense of the judgement of God upon them, leading to repentance and recovery, and inward or moral deliverance. Isa. 40 - 43. begin another part of the book. The Messiah is but little introduced: it is rather a question of God and idols. There is comfort for those who have an opened ear. The Lord Jesus, Jehovah's servant and His elect, shall bring forth judgement to the Gentiles. Isa. 44.