Dragon

(1.) Heb. tannim, plural of tan. The name of some unknown creature inhabiting desert places and ruins (Job 30:29; Ps. 44:19; Isa. 13:22; 34:13; 43:20; Jer. 10:22; Micah 1:8; Mal. 1:3); probably, as translated in the Revised Version, the jackal (q.v.). (2.) Heb. tannin. Some great sea monster (Jer. 51:34). In Isa. 51:9 it may denote the crocodile. In Gen. 1:21 (Heb. plural tanninim) the Authorized Version renders “whales,” and the Revised Version “sea monsters.” It is rendered “serpent” in Ex. 7:9. It is used figuratively in Ps. 74:13; Ezek. 29:3. In the New Testament the word “dragon” is found only in Rev. 12:3, 4, 7, 9, 16, 17, etc., and is there used metaphorically of “Satan.” (See WHALE.)

The translators of the Authorized Version, apparently following the Vulgate, have rendered by the same word “dragon” the two Hebrew words tan and tannin, which appear to be quite distinct in meaning.

DRAG'ON. This word, in the Bible, has at least three meanings. Very commonly, where it occurs in connection with ostriches, owls, deserts, and ruins, it denotes the jackal, whose characteristics are unmistakably indicated, such as his "wailing" and "snuffing up the wind." So in Job 30:29; Ps 44:19; Jer 9:11, in all which passages solitude and desolation are illustrated. Mic 1:8. In some passages it denotes monsters of the deep or huge land-reptiles, as in Deut 32:33; Ps 91:13. The figurative use of this term, as in Ps 74:13; Eze 29:3; Rev 12:3 and Rev 20:2, is sufficiently obvious.

DRAG'ON. This word, in the Bible, has at least three meanings. Very commonly, where it occurs in connection with ostriches, owls, deserts, and ruins, it denotes the jackal, whose characteristics are unmistakably indicated, such as his "wailing" and "snuffing up the wind." So in Job 30:29; Ps 44:19; Jer 9:11, in all which passages solitude and desolation are illustrated. Mic 1:8. In some passages it denotes monsters of the deep or huge land-reptiles, as in Deut 32:33; Ps 91:13. The figurative use of this term, as in Ps 74:13; Eze 29:3; Rev 12:3 and Rev 20:2, is sufficiently obvious.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A fabulous animal, generally represented as a monstrous winged serpent or lizard, with a crested head and enormous claws, and regarded as very powerful and ferocious. The dragons which appear in early paintings and sculptures are invariably representations of a winged crocodile. Fairholt.

2. A fierce, violent person, esp. a woman. Johnson.

3. A constellation of the northern hemisphere figured as a dragon; Draco.

4. A luminous exhalation from marshy grounds, seeming to move through the air as a winged serpent.

5. A short musket hooked to a swivel attached to a soldier's belt; -- so called from a representation of a dragon's head at the muzzle. Fairholt.

6. A small arboreal lizard of the genus Draco, of several species, found in the East Indies and Southern Asia. Five or six of the hind ribs, on each side, are prolonged and covered with weblike skin, forming a sort of wing. These prolongations aid them in making long leaps from tree to tree. Called also flying lizard.

7. A variety of carrier pigeon.

8. A fabulous winged creature, sometimes borne as a charge in a coat of arms.