Snakes (or serpents, vipers snd dragons) get plenty of attention in the Bible. These creatures are mentioned over 80 times in the Bible. A few of the more notable verses include (Exodus 7:12), (Numbers 21:7) and in the Garden of Eden, (Genesis 3.1) Snakes are associated with sin and Satan (Rev 12:9, 13, 17) and are a metaphor for evil in the Bible.
Snakes are interesting photo subjects. They can be colorful and have many different markings and many consider snakes beautiful. I don’t want to be up close and personal with them in the wild but in captivity, I am not so hesitant. The image above is an emerald tree boa. The boa is a non-venomous species found in the rainforests of South America. He looks pretty menacing to me.
I am somewhat scared of these creatures in the wild. I have seen there bodies in the tall grass not knowing where their head was in relation to me. And on occasion these snakes have bodies that are 3 or 4 inches in diameter. Even when I find them dead on the road my heart starts pumping. I have wondered how much of my fear is related to their association with sin and evil and the fall of man.
Satan assumes the form of a serpent and enters Eden. The serpent was a beautiful creature, with wings; and while flying through the air, his appearance was bright, resembling burnished gold. He did not go upon the ground, but went from place to place through the air, and ate fruit like man. Satan entered into the serpent.—The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 35.
Then Lord cursed the snake after the temptation: “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life” (Genesis 3:14).
The Lord Jesus is my serpent-crusher. He is my dragon-slayer. And one day, when He establishes His kingdom on this earth, all of creation will be restored to its original, harmless state—snakes included. “The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isiah 11:8-9). What does the Bible say about snakes?” (n.d.). Retrieved [insert date of access formatted: February 7, 2022]from https://www.gotquestions.org/what-does-the-bible-say-about-snakes-are-snakes-evil.html.
I will look forward to seeing snakes in the New Jerusalem!
degrees He cursed the snake: “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life” (Genesis 3:14)..
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