What is the biblical perspective on snakes?

Historical and Cultural Background

In the cultures surrounding ancient Israel, snakes were often portrayed with a mixture of fear and reverence. Archaeological findings from Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Canaan show images of serpents linked to fertility rites, healing rituals, or even symbols of sovereign power. These artifacts illuminate the biblical world’s familiarity with serpents as potent, mysterious creatures. Scrolls found among the Dead Sea Scrolls collection also preserve Old Testament texts referencing serpents (e.g., references to Isaiah 14 and Genesis 3), evidencing a consistent transmission of passages involving snakes from very early manuscript traditions.

The Serpent in the Garden of Eden

According to Genesis, “Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made” (Genesis 3:1). This opening portrayal introduces the serpent as a cunning figure that deceives. The text narrates how the serpent tempts Eve to doubt God’s word (Genesis 3:4–5). As a result of this deception, sin enters the world (Romans 5:12), and the serpent is cursed to perpetual enmity with humanity (Genesis 3:14–15). Early Christian writings and theological tradition identify this serpent with Satan (Revelation 12:9, 20:2), demonstrating the biblical theme that the serpent symbolizes the forces of evil and deception.

The Bronze Serpent in the Wilderness

Later in Numbers, the Israelites complain against God during their wilderness journey, and “the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people” (Numbers 21:6). In response to Moses’ plea, God instructs Moses: “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole. If anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live” (Numbers 21:8). Moses crafts a bronze serpent, and people who look upon it are healed (Numbers 21:9). This account shows both divine judgment and divine mercy. In later centuries, the bronze serpent was eventually destroyed by King Hezekiah to eliminate idolatrous misuse (2 Kings 18:4).

Christians also view the bronze serpent as a foreshadowing of redemption, an interpretation supported by the Gospel of John: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up” (John 3:14). This linkage underlines that the biblical narrative surrounding serpents can point to salvation and restoration, prefiguring Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

Snakes and God’s Power Over Creation

In Exodus, when Moses and Aaron appear before Pharaoh, Aaron’s staff turns into a serpent (Exodus 7:10). Pharaoh’s magicians replicate the sign, yet Aaron’s staff-serpent swallows the others, emphasizing God’s supreme authority over all spiritual and natural powers (Exodus 7:12). This scene highlights that though snakes may symbolize danger or threat, God demonstrates mastery over them and over creation itself.

Prophetic and Poetic References

In the poetic and prophetic literature, serpents often symbolize lurking dangers or deceptive enemies. The psalmist employs serpent imagery to describe the speech of the wicked: “Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears” (Psalm 58:4). Isaiah references serpents and dragons as emblematic of chaos and judgment (Isaiah 27:1; 30:6), reinforcing the biblical connection between serpents and forces that oppose God’s people.

Jesus’ Teachings on Snakes

In the Gospels, Jesus uses serpent imagery to portray spiritual realities and ethical lessons:

• In rebuking religious hypocrites, He refers to them as a “brood of vipers” (Matthew 23:33).

• In teaching His followers, He advises them to be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).

These references demonstrate the moral lessons derived from observing serpents—recognizing evil intentions or, conversely, exercising wisdom and caution.

Authority Over Serpents in the New Testament Church

Jesus speaks of giving authority to His disciples over physical and spiritual challenges: “I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19). Although Mark 16:18 (in some manuscripts) indicates that believers “will pick up snakes with their hands,” biblical context and early Christian testimony present this as a confirmation of God’s protective power rather than a directive to test divine protection.

A practical illustration appears in Acts 28 when the apostle Paul, shipwrecked on the island of Malta, is bitten by a viper but suffers no harm (Acts 28:3–5). Observers initially expect a fatal outcome, but Paul remains unharmed, testifying to a divine intervention that authenticates the gospel message he proclaims.

The Serpent and Satan in Revelation

The final book of the Bible identifies the serpent with the devil: “And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan” (Revelation 12:9). Revelation 20:2 reiterates this identification, emphasizing the serpent’s role as the adversary of God. While serpents in Scripture can have broader symbolic or literal meanings, this unmistakable identification positions the serpent as the embodiment of evil in biblical prophetic literature.

Symbolic Lessons and Ongoing Relevance

In a broad survey of Scripture, snakes carry multiple layers of meaning:

1. Instruments of Judgment: As in Numbers 21, snakes may become agents of divine judgment but also prompt people to repentance and reliance on God’s mercy.

2. Symbol of Deception: Genesis 3 sets the paradigm for the serpent's cunning, cautioning believers to be watchful against spiritual deception.

3. Sign of Healing and Redemption: The bronze serpent episode prefigures Christ’s crucifixion, highlighting that God provides a deliverance for those who look to Him in faith.

4. Power Under Divine Sovereignty: Accounts like Aaron’s staff transforming into a serpent reinforce that all creation, including snakes, is subject to the Creator’s will.

5. Illustrations of Moral Truths: Jesus’ references to snakes teach discernment and humility.

Archaeological Corroboration and Manuscript Evidence

Archaeological sites such as Tel Lachish, Tel Dan, and Qumran have provided artifacts and manuscript fragments confirming the consistent transmission of biblical events that involve serpents. The Dead Sea Scrolls, for instance, preserve substantial portions of texts from Genesis, Numbers, and Isaiah—attesting to the reliability of these passages through centuries of copying. Outside the biblical world, ancient inscriptions depict serpent worship in neighboring cultures, serving as a backdrop that contrasts Israelite faith in one supreme Creator who holds authority over every creature.

Practical Reflection

From a biblical perspective, snakes serve as a tangible reminder of the spiritual choices humanity faces. They reflect temptation, sin, and the dire consequences wrought by evil—but they also remind us of deliverance and hope. In day-to-day life, the biblical view challenges readers to approach danger and deception with wisdom, to trust God’s supreme power, and to recall that ultimate healing and salvation are made available through looking to Christ (John 3:14–15).

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on snakes is multifaceted: they are creatures under God’s sovereignty, at times signifying judgment, deception, and danger, yet also becoming symbols of redemption, wisdom, and divine authority. From Genesis to Revelation, they intermittently appear in narratives that shape core biblical themes, emphasizing the Creator’s dominion over everything that He has made and the call for humanity to trust in His provision, culminating in the redemptive work of Christ.