"The mysteries of behemoth and leviathan" and the celestial bestiary of 3 Baruch

Celestial bestiary is among most basic motifs of apocalyptic literature. The set of features ascribed to the celestial beasts in 3 Baruch is unique, but every separate characteristic may be traced in diverse traditions. An attempt to interpret the imagery of 3 Baruch in the context of ancient lore as attested by textual sources and iconography helps to understand the origin and the structure of the motif in its development as well as significance of the motif for apocalyptic and early mystic thought.