Forms: 4–5 bemoth, behemot, 6– behemoth. [Heb. b’hēmōth, used in Job xl. 15. In form the word is the plural of b’hēmāh ‘beast,’ and might be interpreted ‘great or monstrous beast’ (plural of dignity). But most moderns take it as really an Egyptian word p-ehe-mau, which would mean ‘water-ox,’ assimilated in Hebrew mouths to a Hebrew form.] An animal mentioned in the book of Job; probably the hippopotamus; but also used in modern literature as a general expression for one of the largest and strongest animals. Cf. LEVIATHAN.
1382. Wyclif, Job xl. 10. Lo! bemoth [1388 behemot, 1611 behemoth] that I made with thee.
1430. Lydg., Chron. Troy, II. xvii. Whom the Hebrues … call Bemoth that doth in latin playne expresse A beast rude full of cursednesse.
1667. Milton, P. L., VII. 471. Behemoth biggest born of earth.
1727. Thomson, Summer, 710. The flood disparts: behold! in plaited mail, Behemoth rears his head.
1818. Keats, Endym., III. 134. Skeletons of man, Of beast, behemoth, and leviathan.
1820. Shelley, Prometh. Unb., IV. i. 310. The might Of earth-convulsing behemoth.
1857. Emerson, Poems, 306. Be swift their feet as antelopes, And as behemoth strong.
fig. 1592. G. Harvey, Pierces Super. Will soone finde the huge Behemoth of conceit to be the sprat of a pickle herring.
1850. Mrs. Stowe, Uncle Tom’s C., xv. 140. He’s a perfect behemoth.
