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What the Bible Says About Serpent

Overview

The Bible addresses serpent across 49 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Genesis, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Closely related themes include Serpents, Women, Fall of Man and Temptation. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses, Adam, Dan and Eve.

Key Bible verses about serpent

Old Testament

Genesis

Genesis 3:1

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Yea: Heb. Yea, because, etc.

Genesis 3:2

And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

Genesis 3:3

But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Genesis 3:4

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Genesis 3:5

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Genesis 3:6

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. pleasant: Heb. a desire

Genesis 3:7

And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. aprons: or, things to gird about

Genesis 3:8

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. cool: Heb. wind

Genesis 3:9

And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

Genesis 3:10

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Genesis 3:11

And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

Genesis 3:12

And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

Genesis 3:13

And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Genesis 3:14

And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Genesis 49:17

Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. an adder: Heb. an arrow-snake

New Testament

People in the Bible and serpent

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying serpent for yourself

  • Begin with Genesis 3:1, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Genesis, Numbers and Deuteronomy each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Moses, Adam and Dan and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Serpents, Women, Fall of Man and Temptation.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about serpent?

The Bible addresses serpent across 49 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Genesis, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Closely related themes include Serpents, Women, Fall of Man and Temptation. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses, Adam, Dan and Eve.

How many Bible verses are about serpent?

The Bible references serpent in 49 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention serpent?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 3:1: “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Yea: Heb. Yea, because, etc.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with serpent?

Moses, Adam, Dan and Eve.

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