The word dinosaur means “terrible lizard.” It is a word created after the Bible was written; therefore, you won’t find it to describe anything in God’s Word.

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that animals described in the Bible don’t include what we might call dinosaurs today. For instance, you might read Job 40:15-24. The description of “behemoth” you’ll find there seems to match the description of a dinosaur. Many Bible critics suggest Job is making it up to make a point — or that it fits the description of an elephant or a rhino. But what about the tail description? Does that remind you of an elephant’s tail? Moreover, the other animals of creation that Job describes in this same passage are quite real.

Many of the great creatures that God originally created became extinct in the worldwide flood. We might find them again in the New Earth. This could include some extremely large mammals and reptiles that we have never seen in modern times. But they will not be the ferocious creatures as dinosaurs are often depicted now. They will be harmless and much more beautiful than any artist’s concept that you have seen.