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What the Bible Says About Serpents

Overview

The Bible addresses serpents across 38 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Genesis, Isaiah and Exodus. Closely related themes include Serpent, Reptiles, Salvation and Satan. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses, Dan, Aaron and Eve.

Key Bible verses about serpents

Old Testament

Isaiah

Isaiah 14:29

Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. cockatrice: or, adder

Isaiah 27:1

In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea. piercing: or, crossing like a bar

Isaiah 59:5

They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. cockatrice': or, adder's crushed: or, sprinkled is as if there brake out a viper

Isaiah 65:25

The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

New Testament

People in the Bible and serpents

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying serpents for yourself

  • Begin with Genesis 3:1, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Genesis, Isaiah and Exodus each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Moses, Dan and Aaron and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Serpent, Reptiles, Salvation and Satan.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about serpents?

The Bible addresses serpents across 38 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Genesis, Isaiah and Exodus. Closely related themes include Serpent, Reptiles, Salvation and Satan. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses, Dan, Aaron and Eve.

How many Bible verses are about serpents?

The Bible references serpents in 38 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention serpents?

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 serpents?

Moses, Dan, Aaron and Eve.

Preach & teach

Outline a sermon or build a study series on serpents.

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