Lexical Summary herpeton: Creeping thing, reptile Original Word: ἑρπετόν Strong's Exhaustive Concordance creeping thing, serpent. Neuter of a derivative of herpo (to creep); a reptile, i.e. (by Hebraism (compare remes)) a small animal -- creeping thing, serpent. see HEBREW remes NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom herpó (to crawl) Definition a creeping thing NASB Translation crawling creatures (3), reptiles (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2062: ἑρπετόνἑρπετόν, ἑρπετοῦ, τό (from ἕρπω to creep, crawl, (Latinserpo; hence, serpent, and from same root, reptile; Vanicek, p. 1030f)), a creeping thing, reptile; by secular writings used chiefly of serpents; in Homer, Odyssey 4, 418; Xenophon, mem. 1, 4, 11 an animal of any sort; in Biblical Greek opposed to quadrupeds and birds, Acts 10:12; Acts 11:6; Romans 1:23; and to marine animals also, James 3:7; on this last passage cf. Genesis 9:3. (the Sept. for רֶמֶשׂ and שֶׁרֶץ.) Topical Lexicon Nature and DefinitionThe term ἑρπετόν denotes any creature that moves close to the ground—reptiles, amphibians, insects, or other “creeping things.” In Scripture these low-moving animals serve as vivid markers of mankind’s authority under God (Genesis 1:26), of ceremonial boundaries (Leviticus 11:41-44), and of the fallen human proclivity to distort worship (Romans 1:23). Old Testament Background Genesis presents “creeping things” as part of God’s good creation, placed under human stewardship (Genesis 1:24-26). The Mosaic dietary code later classified many such creatures as unclean (Leviticus 11:29-44), impressing on Israel both God’s holiness and their distinct calling. Ezekiel 8:10 depicts idolatrous elders worshiping “creeping things,” foreshadowing the apostasy Paul will expose in Romans. New Testament Usage Acts 10:12; 11:6 – In Peter’s rooftop vision “all the four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air” descend on a sheet. The inclusion of ἑρπετά dramatizes that even the most ceremonially defiling categories are now declared clean through Christ’s atoning work. The Spirit thereby prepares Peter to welcome Gentiles, demonstrating that the gospel erases ethnic and ritual barriers (Acts 10:28, 34-35). Romans 1:23 – Paul lists “reptiles” among the idols to which fallen humanity transfers the glory of God. The descent from man to birds to beasts to creeping things traces a downward spiral: idolatry yields moral degradation. The reference confronts every culture with the folly of worshiping the created rather than the Creator. James 3:7 – James observes that “all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures are being tamed”, yet the tongue remains untamable. The creeping creatures illustrate the breadth of human dominion; the contrast exposes the deep-seated corruption of the heart, calling believers to Spirit-enabled self-control. Theological Significance 1. Holiness and Cleansing – The movement from Levitical uncleanness to the universal cleansing announced in Acts 10 signals the shift from ceremonial law to the sufficiency of Christ’s cross. What was once unclean is sanctified “by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:4-5). 2. Idolatry and Degradation – Romans 1 uses ἑρπετόν to depict the lowest rung of man-made worship. Creeping creatures, formed on day six alongside humanity, become symbols of man’s refusal to honor God, underscoring total depravity apart from grace. 3. Dominion and Discipline – James contrasts humanity’s success in taming nature—including reptiles—with its failure to tame the tongue. The image reinforces mankind’s God-given rule while exposing the necessity of sanctification. Practical and Ministry Implications • Gospel Proclamation – Peter’s vision encourages believers to cross cultural boundaries. No person is “unclean” if God has declared him clean in Christ; evangelism must reflect this divine impartiality. • Idolatry Diagnosis – The reptile imagery in Romans confronts modern materialism, animism, and secular ideologies alike. Ministries must continually call people from creature-worship to Creator-worship. • Discipleship – James links dominion with self-control. Effective discipleship trains believers to submit their speech to Christ, displaying the Spirit’s power where natural ability fails. Typological and Christological Reflections The creeping things of Leviticus magnify humanity’s distance from God; Christ, the true Lamb, bridges that gap, declaring all foods—and all peoples—clean. As Adam was to rule every ἑρπετόν, the Last Adam perfectly fulfills that mandate (Hebrews 2:8), subduing even the serpent (Revelation 20:1-3). Contemporary Application Mission strategy, counseling, and cultural engagement all benefit from recognizing the biblical movement of ἑρπετόν from uncleanness to inclusion. Churches that grasp this trajectory avoid both legalism and licentiousness, offering a gospel that cleanses, liberates, and restores proper worship. Related Terms and Concepts • καθαρίζω (to cleanse) – key to Acts 10. Forms and Transliterations έρπει ερπετα ερπετά ἑρπετὰ ερπετοίς ερπετόν ερπετού ερπετώ ερπετων ερπετών ἑρπετῶν έρποντα έρποντι ερπόντων ερπούσης έρπουσιν ερύθημα ηρυθροδανωμένα erpeta erpeton erpetōn herpeta herpetà herpeton herpetôn herpetōn herpetō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 10:12 N-NNPGRK: τετράποδα καὶ ἑρπετὰ τῆς γῆς NAS: [kinds of] four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth KJV: and creeping things, and INT: quadrupeds and creeping things of the earth Acts 11:6 N-ANP Romans 1:23 N-GNP James 3:7 N-GNP Strong's Greek 2062 |
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