Serpent worship, also known as ophidian worship, is a religious practice that venerates serpents or snakes. This practice has been observed in various cultures throughout history, often symbolizing fertility, rebirth, and immortality. In the context of the Bible, serpents are frequently associated with deception, sin, and opposition to God.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 3:1-5 : The serpent is introduced in the Bible as a cunning creature in the Garden of Eden. It is described as "more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made" (Genesis 3:1). The serpent tempts Eve to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, leading to the fall of man. This event establishes the serpent as a symbol of temptation and sin.

2. Exodus 7:10-12 : During the confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh, Aaron's staff becomes a serpent as a sign from God. "So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD had commanded. Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent" (Exodus 7:10). This passage demonstrates God's power over the Egyptian magicians, whose staffs also became serpents but were swallowed by Aaron's staff.

3. Numbers 21:6-9 : The Israelites, during their wilderness journey, speak against God and Moses, leading to the LORD sending venomous snakes among them. Many Israelites die from snake bites. In response to Moses' intercession, God instructs him to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. "Then anyone who is bitten can look at it and live" (Numbers 21:8). This bronze serpent becomes a symbol of salvation and foreshadows Christ's crucifixion, as referenced in John 3:14-15.

4. 2 Kings 18:4 : King Hezekiah of Judah destroys the bronze serpent, known as Nehushtan, because the Israelites had begun to burn incense to it. "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred stones, 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" (2 Kings 18:4). This act underscores the danger of idolatry and the misuse of symbols intended for God's purposes.

Theological Implications:

In the Bible, the serpent is often a representation of Satan and evil. Revelation 12:9 identifies the serpent as "the great dragon...that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray." This association reinforces the serpent's role as an adversary to God and His people.

The practice of serpent worship is viewed as contrary to the worship of the one true God. The Bible consistently warns against idolatry and the worship of created beings or objects. Romans 1:23 speaks of those who "exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles."

Cultural Context:

Serpent worship was prevalent in many ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Egypt and Canaan. The serpent was often seen as a symbol of fertility and healing, as well as a guardian of sacred spaces. However, the biblical narrative consistently positions the serpent as a creature that should not be venerated or worshipped, emphasizing the importance of exclusive devotion to God.

In summary, while serpents appear in various roles throughout the Bible, their worship is consistently condemned. The biblical text uses the serpent as a symbol of both the consequences of sin and the hope of redemption, ultimately pointing to the supremacy of God over all creation.Serpent Worship

SERPENT WORSHIP

wur'-ship: Traces of this superstition are thought by certain critics to be discoverable in the religion of Israel. Stade mentions that W. R. Smith supposed the serpent to be the totem of the house of David (Geschichte, I, 465). H. P. Smith says: "We know of a Serpent's Stone near Jerusalem, which was the site of a sanctuary (1 Kings 1:9), and this sanctuary was dedicated to Yahweh" (Hist of Old Testament, 239, 240). Special reliance is placed on the narrative of the brazen serpent, which Hezekiah is recorded to have destroyed as leading to idolatry, (2 Kings 18:4). "In that case," says H. P. Smith, "we must treat the Nehushtan as a veritable idol of the house of Israel, which had been worshipped in the temple from the time of its erection. Serpent worship is so widespread that we should be surprised not to find traces of it in Israel" (ut supra). In the same line, see G. B. Gray, Numbers, 275-76. The fancifulness of these deductions is obvious.

See NEHUSHTAN.

James Orr

Snake-Worship.
... He told my parents that the boils had come in consequence of their neglect of
serpent-worship, and that the children would be cured if my parents would again ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/chapter three snake-worship.htm

Constantine's Letter to Eusebius and Other Bishops, Respecting the ...
... version speaks of the serpent as the "subtlest." For historical and symbolical use
of the words, compare Fergusson, Tree and Serpent Worship (Lond., 1874), and ...
/.../the life of constantine/chapter xlvi constantines letter to eusebius.htm

Allegorical Explanation of Genesis, Chap. I. , Concerning the ...
... I., Concerning the Origin of the Church and Its Worship. 13. ... The fox remained
a fox, the hawk a hawk, and the serpent a serpent. ...
/.../chapter xii allegorical explanation of genesis.htm

Appendix
... Faber) asserts that the Apostle John used the ideas and phraseology of the mysteries,
the basis of them being Serpent and SUN worship with the host of heaven. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/appendix.htm

The Serpent, the Author of Polytheism.
... Scripture also commands to be worshipped, saying, Thou shalt worship the Lord ... other
gods;' [652] doubtless remembering with what penalty the serpent was visited ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xliv the serpent the author.htm

The Brazen Serpent.
... He has been lifted up as the Brazen Serpent was, He has become conspicuous by ... seemed
to extinguish His usefulness has made Him the object of worship and trust ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/viii the brazen serpent.htm

The Worship of the Synagogue
... There can be no reasonable doubt that these were said at worship in the synagogues ...
while, in lifting himself up again, he did it like a serpent"beginning with ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 17 the worship of.htm

The Seed of the Woman, and the Seed of the Serpent
... know it was good for food, unless she had seen the serpent feed upon ... as usual?"
Christians, remember the Lord keeps an account when you fail coming to worship. ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the seed of the woman.htm

The Beginning of Things. Away Back in the Beginning of Things God ...
... the sin upon Eve, who gave it to him, and Eve said that the serpent had tempted ... They
had been taught to worship God by bringing the best of all they had to Him ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter i the beginning of.htm

Numbers
... Through the story in xxi.4-11 we can detect the practice of serpent-worship, which
we know persisted to the time of Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:4); and the trial by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/numbers.htm

Was Adam with Eve when she spoke to the serpent (Genesis 3:6)? | GotQuestions.org

Why didn't Adam and Eve find it strange that a serpent was talking to them? | GotQuestions.org

What was Nehushtan? | GotQuestions.org

Serpent: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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