How did hobbes explain the emergence of society and what did he mean by the leviathan?

Hobbes believed that a social contract emerged out of individuals' rational self-interest to escape the state of nature, where life was "nasty, brutish, and short." The Leviathan, in his philosophy, refers to a powerful central authority (such as a government) that is created to maintain social order and prevent chaos. It symbolizes the commonwealth and its ability to enforce laws and protect its citizens.