In biblical literature, the terms "dragon" and "serpent" are often used interchangeably, symbolizing chaos, evil, and opposition to God. These creatures appear in various forms throughout the Scriptures, serving as metaphors for spiritual adversaries and representing the forces of darkness.

Old Testament References

The imagery of the dragon or serpent is first introduced in the Book of Genesis. The serpent in the Garden of Eden is a pivotal figure, embodying deceit and temptation. Genesis 3:1 states, "Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made." This serpent tempts Eve, leading to the fall of humanity.

In the Book of Exodus, serpents are again mentioned in the context of Moses and Aaron confronting Pharaoh. In Exodus 7:10-12 , Aaron's staff becomes a serpent, swallowing the magicians' serpents, demonstrating God's power over Egypt's false deities.

The Book of Isaiah contains vivid imagery of the dragon as a symbol of chaos and evil. Isaiah 27:1 proclaims, "In that day the LORD will take His sharp, great, and mighty sword, and bring judgment on Leviathan, the fleeing serpent—Leviathan, the coiling serpent—and He will slay the dragon of the sea." Here, Leviathan is depicted as a sea dragon, representing the forces of chaos that God will ultimately defeat.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the dragon is most prominently featured in the Book of Revelation. Revelation 12:9 identifies the dragon as Satan: "And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him." This passage connects the dragon with the serpent of Genesis, emphasizing its role as the ultimate adversary of God and His people.

Revelation 20:2 further reinforces this connection: "He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years." The imagery of the dragon in Revelation serves as a powerful symbol of the cosmic battle between good and evil, culminating in the ultimate victory of Christ.

Symbolism and Interpretation

Throughout the Bible, the dragon and serpent symbolize the presence of evil and opposition to God's divine order. They are often associated with chaos, destruction, and deception. The serpent in Genesis represents the introduction of sin into the world, while the dragon in Revelation signifies the culmination of evil's defeat.

The consistent portrayal of these creatures as adversaries underscores the biblical theme of God's sovereignty and the eventual triumph of good over evil. The imagery of the dragon and serpent serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle that believers face and the assurance of God's ultimate victory through Jesus Christ.Exodus 7:9
When Pharaoh shall speak to you, saying, Show a miracle for you: then you shall say to Aaron, Take your rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.
Nave's Topical Index

1404. drakon -- a dragon (a mythical monster)
... monster). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: drakon Phonetic Spelling:
(drak'-own) Short Definition: a dragon or huge serpent Definition: a dragon ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1404.htm - 7k8577. tannin -- serpent, dragon, sea monster
... serpent, dragon, sea monster. Transliteration: tannin Phonetic Spelling: (tan-neen')
Short Definition: monster. ... dragon, sea-monster, serpent, whale. ...
/hebrew/8577.htm - 6k

3882. Livyathan -- "serpent," a sea monster or dragon
... 3881, 3882. Livyathan. 3883 . "serpent," a sea monster or dragon. Transliteration:
Livyathan Phonetic Spelling: (liv-yaw-thawn') Short Definition: Leviathan ...
/hebrew/3882.htm - 6k

8565. tan -- a jackal
... elongate; a monster (as preternaturally formed), ie A sea-serpent (or other huge
marine animal); also a jackal (or other hideous land animal) -- dragon, whale. ...
/hebrew/8565.htm - 6k

The Woman and Dragon.
... empire,""the fourth kingdom upon earth," Dan.7:23. The dragon is a monster
serpent. "That old serpent" who seduced Eve (Gen.3:5 ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the woman and dragon.htm

Of his Picture Surmounted by a Cross and Having Beneath it a ...
... For the sacred oracles in the books of God's prophets have described him as a dragon
and a crooked serpent; [3230] and for this reason the emperor thus ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter iii of his picture surmounted.htm

From the Twelfth Chapter.
... And that great dragon was cast forth, that old serpent: he was cast forth into the
earth."] This is the beginning of Antichrist; yet previously Elias must ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the twelfth chapter.htm

The Binding of Satan.
... And he seized the dragon, the old serpent, who is the Devil, and Satan, and bound
him a thousand years, and cast him into the abyss, and shut him up, and set a ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the binding of satan.htm

Opinions of the Heretics Borrowed from Aratus.
... For they suppose that towards the North Pole is situated the Dragon, the Serpent,
from the highest pole looking upon all (the objects), and gazing on all the ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xlvii opinions of the heretics.htm

On the Opposing Powers.
... and resisted him. Isaiah says that the sword of the Lord arises against
the dragon, the crooked [2535] serpent. [2536] And what ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter ii on the opposing powers.htm

Of the Measure of the Interior Court by the Reed of God, with the ...
... In like manner, when the dragon was cast out, the woman "fled into the wilderness,
there to be nourished from the face of the serpent, for a time, and times ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/synchronism vi of the measure.htm

About the Dragon and the Young Man.
... And the dragon: There is a certain woman in this place exceedingly beautiful; and
as ... he said to him: I am the offspring of the race of the serpent, and hurtful ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thomas/about the dragon and the.htm

On the Soul (Anima).
... And elsewhere the prophet says, "I will draw out my holy sword upon the dragon the
flying serpent, upon the dragon the crooked serpent, and will slay him." ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter viii on the soul anima.htm

Virgins are Called to the Imitation of the Church in the ...
... wings of virginity, which the Word called the "wings of great eagle," [2742] having
conquered the serpent, and driven ... "Lion in front, but dragon all behind,. ...
/.../chapter xii virgins are called to.htm

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Dragon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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