Commentators widely agree that 'leviathan' is a symbol for God's most formidable enemies. Some, like Albert Barnes, see it as a specific historical empire like Babylon, whose power was as terrifying as a sea monster. Others, including John Calvin and Matthew Henry, interpret it allegorically as Satan and his kingdom. In either view, the imagery of a massive, coiling serpent represents the immense power and cunning of evil forces arrayed against God's people.