8207. shephiphon

Lexical Summary

shephiphon: Viper, serpent

Original Word: שְׁפִיפֹן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: shphiyphon
Pronunciation: she-fee-fon
Phonetic Spelling: (shef-ee-fone')
KJV: adder
NASB: horned snake
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning the same as H7779 (שׁוּף - bruise)]

1. a kind of serpent (as snapping), probably the cerastes or horned adder

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

adder

From an unused root meaning the same as shuwph; a kind of serpent (as snapping), probably the cerastes or horned adder -- adder.

see HEBREW shuwph

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
horned viper
NASB Translation
horned snake (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

שְׁפִיפֹן noun [masculine] horned snake, ᵐ5 κεράστης (Arabic , Frey); — absolute ׳שׁ Genesis 49:17 ("" נָחָשׁ); = cerastes cornutus or Hasselquistii, compare Tr^{NBB 273} Post^{Hast. DB iv. 457 f.} McLean-Shipley^{Ency. Bib. iv. 4393} Dr^{on the passage} — שְׁפוּפָם, שְׁפוּפָן see S. V.

Topical Lexicon

Meaning and Imagery

The Hebrew noun שְׁפִיפֹן (shĕphifon) denotes a small, venomous serpent, usually rendered “viper” or “adder.” In the ancient Near East such snakes were feared for their silent movement and sudden, debilitating strike. Scripture employs the term figuratively to imply stealth, surprise, and decisive impact.

Biblical Occurrence

Genesis 49:17 is the sole occurrence:

“Dan shall be a serpent by the road, a viper beside the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider falls backward.” (Berean Standard Bible)

Tribal and Prophetic Significance

1. Tactical Warfare. Jacob likens Dan to a shĕphifon, highlighting the tribe’s capacity for unconventional conflict—victory achieved not by overwhelming force but by strategic precision. This anticipates episodes such as the guerrilla-style campaign of the Danite migration (Judges 18) and the ambushes employed by Samson of Dan (Judges 14–16).
2. Judicial Role. The name “Dan” means “judge.” Like the adder that brings swift retribution, the tribe was destined to execute judgment on Israel’s foes.
3. Moral Ambiguity. While the imagery honors Dan’s effectiveness, the serpent motif also foreshadows potential danger. Dan later became a center of idolatry (Judges 18:30; 1 Kings 12:29), suggesting that the tribe’s subtlety could be turned toward corruption as easily as toward deliverance.

Historical Echoes in Israel’s Story

• Conquest Era: Dan’s initial allotment proved difficult to secure (Joshua 19:40-48). Their eventual relocation northward demonstrated the snake-like quality of striking where least expected.
• Monarchy Period: Jeroboam installed a golden calf in Dan, luring Israel into sin (1 Kings 12:29). The same strategic influence that could cripple enemy power was misapplied, poisoning Israel’s covenant life—an ironic fulfillment of the viper image.
• Prophetic Silence: Dan is conspicuously absent from the sealed tribes in Revelation 7. Many interpreters see this omission as a sober reminder that cleverness divorced from faithfulness leads to exclusion from blessing.

New Testament Reflections

Jesus charges His disciples, “Be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). The Lord commends sanctified shĕphifon-like discernment—strategic wisdom harnessed to purity rather than rebellion. Likewise, Paul warns of “the serpent deceiving Eve” (2 Corinthians 11:3), underscoring the need to keep holy cunning free from satanic distortion.

Ministry Applications

• Strategic Evangelism. Believers may emulate the righteous aspect of the shĕphifon—carefully timed, Spirit-led engagement that topples strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4).
• Vigilance against Subtle Sin. Just as Dan’s promise carried the seed of idolatry, ministries must guard against the serpentine drift of compromise.
• Faithful Judgment. Churches are called to exercise discipline that is both decisive and restorative, reflecting the prophetic role originally assigned to Dan.

Theological Summary

Shĕphifon encapsulates the paradox of God-given shrewdness: a capacity that can either defend covenant purposes or, when untethered from obedience, injure the very people it was meant to protect. In the redemptive account this lone Hebrew word stands as both a caution and a commission—warning against serpentine deception while commending sanctified strategy in the service of the King.

Forms and Transliterations

שְׁפִיפֹ֖ן שפיפן šə·p̄î·p̄ōn šəp̄îp̄ōn shefiFon

Englishman's Concordance

Genesis 49:17
HEB: עֲלֵי־ דֶ֔רֶךְ שְׁפִיפֹ֖ן עֲלֵי־ אֹ֑רַח
NAS: in the way, A horned snake in the path,
KJV: by the way, an adder in the path,
INT: in the way A horned in the path

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 8207
1 Occurrence

šə·p̄î·p̄ōn — 1 Occ.