The Brazen Serpent, also known as the Bronze Serpent, is a significant symbol in the biblical narrative, originally instituted by God as a means of deliverance for the Israelites during their wilderness journey. This account is primarily found in the Book of Numbers and later referenced in the historical and prophetic books of the Old Testament.

Biblical Account and Origin

The origin of the Brazen Serpent is recorded in Numbers 21:4-9. As the Israelites journeyed from Mount Hor by way of the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom, they grew impatient and spoke against God and Moses. In response to their complaints, the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many Israelites died. Recognizing their sin, the people came to Moses, asking him to intercede with the LORD to remove the serpents. The LORD instructed Moses to make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, promising that anyone who was bitten could look at it and live. Moses obeyed, crafting a serpent of bronze, and those who looked upon it were healed.

Symbolism and Typology

The Brazen Serpent serves as a powerful symbol of salvation and divine mercy. It prefigures the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, as noted in the New Testament. In John 3:14-15 , Jesus Himself draws a parallel between the lifting up of the serpent in the wilderness and His own crucifixion: "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life."

Worship and Idolatry

Despite its initial purpose as a tool for divine healing, the Brazen Serpent eventually became an object of idolatrous worship among the Israelites. This is documented in 2 Kings 18:4 , during the reign of King Hezekiah. The text states, "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also broke into pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it. It was called Nehushtan."

King Hezekiah's actions were part of a broader religious reform aimed at purifying the worship practices of Judah by eliminating idolatry and restoring the worship of Yahweh alone. The destruction of the Brazen Serpent, referred to as Nehushtan, underscores the tendency of the Israelites to transform symbols of God's provision into objects of false worship, contrary to the commandments given at Sinai.

Theological Implications

The narrative of the Brazen Serpent highlights several theological themes, including the dangers of idolatry, the necessity of faith, and the foreshadowing of Christ's atoning sacrifice. It serves as a reminder of the human propensity to corrupt divine gifts and the need for continual reformation and return to true worship. The account also emphasizes God's provision of salvation through faith, as those who looked upon the serpent were healed, just as believers are saved through faith in Christ.2 Kings 18:4
He removed the high places, and broke the images, and cut down the groves, and broke in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made: for to those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.
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