Job 3:8

"Let those curse it who curse the day, who are prepared to rouse Leviathan": This may refer to professional cursers such as Balaam (Numbers 22-24). The term "Leviathan" comes from the Hebrew liwayh. wreath, meaning something coiled. In ancient mythology, the term Leviathan was used for. monster of chaos who lived in the sea, and who could be professionally aroused. "The figure then may be of an awakened monster of chaos which could perhaps swallow the day or even usher in the end of days" (Gaebelein pp. 890-891). "In the Ugaritic literature of Canaan and Phoenicia, eclipses were said to be caused by Leviathan's swallowing the sun or moon" (Zuck p. 24). Obviously, in consideration of what God said of Job, it is clear that Job did not embrace mythology; rather he is using poetic language. In Canaanite and Phoenician literature this creature is named "Lotan" and was viewed as being able to alter world order, even to the point of being able to conceal the sun and moon. Certain supposed experts in magic were thought to be able to arouse this creature and blot out the heavenly bodies.