The Bronze Serpent
WildernessMeaning: “Serpent of brass (later “Nehushtan”)”
Lifted up to save the dying — Jesus’ own picture of the cross.
The serpent of brass Moses lifted on a pole so that those bitten by snakes could look and live.
What It Was
When Israel sinned and God sent fiery serpents among them, the people repented. God told Moses to make a serpent of brass and set it on a pole; everyone who was bitten and looked at it lived (Numbers 21:8–9).
Biblical Significance & Symbolism
Jesus made this object a direct type of his crucifixion: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:14–15). The remedy was not effort but a look of faith at what was lifted up.
What Happened to The Bronze Serpent
Centuries later Israel had turned the relic into an idol, burning incense to it. The reforming king Hezekiah broke it in pieces and called it Nehushtan — “a piece of brass” (2 Kings 18:4).
Timeline
Moses makes the serpent of brass on a pole
Hezekiah destroys it as an idol (“Nehushtan”)
Scripture References
2 versesNumbers1 verse
Numbers 21:9
And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
2 Kings1 verse
2 Kings 18:4
He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. images: Heb. statues Nehushtan: that is, A piece of brass
Topics & Symbolism
Biblical themes this object points to and helps interpret.
Related people
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Frequently asked about The Bronze Serpent
What was The Bronze Serpent in the Bible?
The serpent of brass Moses lifted on a pole so that those bitten by snakes could look and live.
What does The Bronze Serpent symbolize?
Lifted up to save the dying — Jesus’ own picture of the cross.
What does the name The Bronze Serpent mean?
The name The Bronze Serpent means “Serpent of brass (later “Nehushtan”)”.
What was The Bronze Serpent made of?
The Bronze Serpent was made of bronze / brass.
Who made The Bronze Serpent?
The Bronze Serpent was made by Moses.
Where was The Bronze Serpent kept?
The Bronze Serpent was kept at On a pole; later in the Temple until destroyed.
Where is The Bronze Serpent first mentioned in the Bible?
The Bronze Serpent is first mentioned in Numbers 21:9.
How often is The Bronze Serpent mentioned in the Bible?
The Bronze Serpent is mentioned in 2 verses across 2 books: Numbers, 2 Kings.
What did the bronze serpent symbolize?
Jesus pointed to it as a picture of the cross (John 3:14–15): those dying could look in faith and live, as sinners look to the crucified Christ and are saved.
What happened to the bronze serpent?
Israel later idolized it, so King Hezekiah destroyed it, calling it Nehushtan — “a piece of brass” (2 Kings 18:4).
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