Topical Bible: Serpent: Unfit for Food

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The serpent, a creature often associated with deception and sin in the biblical narrative, is explicitly deemed unfit for consumption according to the dietary laws outlined in the Scriptures. The prohibition against eating serpents is rooted in the broader context of the Mosaic Law, which delineates clean and unclean animals for the Israelites.

In Leviticus 11, the Lord provides Moses and Aaron with specific instructions regarding which animals may be consumed. The chapter meticulously categorizes animals based on their characteristics, distinguishing between those that are clean and those that are unclean. Leviticus 11:41-42 states, "Every creature that moves along the ground is detestable; it must not be eaten. Whatever moves on its belly, or walks on all fours, or has many feet, you are not to eat; for it is detestable." This passage clearly includes serpents, as they are creatures that move on their bellies.

The prohibition is reiterated in Deuteronomy 14, where the dietary laws are restated for the Israelites. Deuteronomy 14:10 emphasizes the distinction between clean and unclean creatures, reinforcing the command to abstain from consuming any creature that does not meet the criteria for clean animals.

The serpent's association with uncleanliness is not merely a matter of dietary law but also carries symbolic significance throughout the Bible. In Genesis 3, the serpent is the instrument of temptation, leading to the fall of man. This event establishes the serpent as a symbol of sin and rebellion against God. The imagery of the serpent as a deceiver and adversary is further developed in passages such as Revelation 12:9 , which identifies the serpent as "the great dragon... who leads the whole world astray."

The unclean status of the serpent is consistent with its symbolic role in Scripture. By prohibiting the consumption of serpents, the dietary laws reinforce the separation between the holy and the profane, the clean and the unclean. This distinction serves as a constant reminder to the Israelites of their calling to be a holy people, set apart for the Lord.

In summary, the serpent is classified as unfit for food according to biblical dietary laws. This classification is rooted in the creature's physical characteristics and its symbolic representation of sin and deception throughout the biblical narrative. The prohibition against eating serpents underscores the broader biblical theme of holiness and the call to live in obedience to God's commandments.

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Matthew 7:10
Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
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Library

On Helping the Poor.
... others, nor use it himself, is like the serpent, which they ... it either meat or drink,
which it is unfit to do. ... should be fuel for the fire, and not food for the ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on helping the poor.htm

Of a Private Fast.
... a fast the second Adam vanquished the serpent, and restored ... is chiefly signified
by thy abstinence from food, &c., and ... bodies, as that we are made unfit to do ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/i of a private fast.htm

Ephesians iv. 31
... a bitter man, he is a scorpion, a serpent, a viper ... How weak they are, and puny, and
unfit for anything. ... what Luke saith, "They did take their food with gladness ...
/.../homily xv ephesians iv 31.htm

Shoes of Iron, and Strength Sufficient: a New Year's Promise
... with his bruised heel, the head of our serpent adversary ... He cannot eat tomorrow's
food today; or, if he did ... at the present moment you may be quite unfit for the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/shoes of iron and strength.htm

The Life of S. Hilarion.
... were smooth, his body thin and delicate, unfit to bear ... to witness, that he would
take neither food nor drink ... An enormous serpent, of the sort which the people ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the life of s hilarion.htm

A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm
... up to heaven, and his mother flees into the wilderness from the serpent. ... Men's bodies
are diseased, the water is unfit to drink, the food supply cut short ...
/.../vi a clearing-up storm in the.htm

On the Theophany, or Birthday of Christ.
... tongues in that direction, or imitate the Serpent...But it ... of those who are pure
and lawful food, and who ... as yet unclean and uneatable and unfit for sacrifice ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxviii on the theophany.htm

Subject Index
... Birds, not allowed as food to Israel, [180]143. ... Enmity, the, put between Eve and
the serpent, [813]457. ... wherein he shows that their poets are unfit to be ...
/.../irenaeus/fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/subject index.htm

Matt. vi. 16
... at a rope, they suppose it to be a serpent, if at ... matter, those who are in want of
necessary food do not ... to endure who had spent all his goods on unfit objects ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xx matt vi 16.htm

Corn in Egypt
... Jacob were convinced that there was no food anywhere. ... mercy upon me." Your fancied
reformation would unfit you for ... hand; I will not look to the brazen serpent. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/corn in egypt.htm