The term "viper" in the Bible refers to a venomous serpent, often symbolizing danger, deceit, and malevolence. In the ancient Near East, vipers were well-known for their deadly bite, and their presence in Scripture often carries a metaphorical weight, representing sin and evil.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament:
· The Hebrew word for viper, "ʾepʿeh," appears in several Old Testament passages. In Isaiah 30:6, the prophet describes a land of trouble and anguish, "from which come the lioness and the lion, the viper and the flying serpent." Here, the viper is part of a vivid imagery of desolation and danger.
· In Job 20:16, the wicked man is said to "suck the poison of vipers; the fangs of a viper will kill him." This passage uses the viper to illustrate the destructive consequences of wickedness.

2. New Testament:
· The Greek word "echidna" is used in the New Testament to describe vipers. John the Baptist, in his call to repentance, addresses the Pharisees and Sadducees as a "brood of vipers" (Matthew 3:7), highlighting their hypocrisy and moral corruption.
· Jesus Himself uses similar language in Matthew 12:34 , saying, "You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." This rebuke underscores the deceitful nature of the religious leaders of the time.
· In Acts 28:3-6, the Apostle Paul encounters a viper on the island of Malta. As Paul gathers sticks for a fire, a viper fastens onto his hand. The islanders expect him to die, but when he suffers no harm, they reconsider their initial judgment of him as a criminal, seeing instead a divine protection over him.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical literature, the viper often symbolizes the insidious nature of sin and the deceptive practices of those who oppose God's truth. The imagery of a viper's bite serves as a powerful metaphor for the hidden and often sudden impact of sin, which can lead to spiritual death if not addressed.

The use of "viper" in the New Testament, particularly by John the Baptist and Jesus, serves as a stark warning against religious hypocrisy. The religious leaders of the time are likened to vipers, emphasizing their role in leading people away from genuine faith and repentance.

Theological Insights:

From a theological perspective, the viper's presence in Scripture reminds believers of the ever-present danger of sin and the need for vigilance in spiritual life. The metaphor of the viper calls for self-examination and a sincere commitment to righteousness, as well as a reliance on God's protection and grace.

The account of Paul and the viper in Acts 28 illustrates God's sovereignty and protection over His servants. Despite the apparent danger, God's purposes prevail, demonstrating His power over creation and His care for those who serve Him faithfully.

In summary, the viper in the Bible serves as a potent symbol of sin, deceit, and the consequences of turning away from God's truth. Its appearances in Scripture call believers to a life of integrity, repentance, and trust in God's providence.Job 20:16
He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 30:6
The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from where come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches on the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures on the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 59:5
They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eats of their eggs dies, and that which is crushed breaks out into a viper.
Nave's Topical Index

2191. echidna -- a viper
... a viper. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: echidna Phonetic Spelling:
(ekh'-id-nah) Short Definition: a serpent, snake, viper Definition: a serpent ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2191.htm - 6k6848a. tsepha -- a serpent
... a serpent. Transliteration: tsepha Short Definition: viper. Word Origin from an
unused word Definition a serpent NASB Word Usage viper (1). 6848, 6848a. ...
/hebrew/6848a.htm - 5k

6848b. tsiphoni -- a serpent
... Word Origin from the same as tsepha Definition a serpent NASB Word Usage Adders
(1), adders' (1), viper (1), viper's (1). 6848a, 6848b. tsiphoni. 6849 . ...
/hebrew/6848b.htm - 5k

660. epheh -- (a kind of) viper
... viper. From epha' (in the sense of hissing); an asp or other venomous serpent --
viper. see HEBREW epha'. 659, 660. epheh. 661 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/660.htm - 6k

8207. shephiphon -- horned viper
... derivation Definition horned viper NASB Word Usage horned snake (1). adder. From
an unused root meaning the same as shuwph; a kind of serpent (as snapping ...
/hebrew/8207.htm - 6k

6848. tsepha' -- a serpent
... a serpent. Transliteration: tsepha' Phonetic Spelling: (tseh'-fah; or tsiph Short
Definition ... From an unused root meaning to extrude; a viper (as thrusting out ...
/hebrew/6848.htm - 5k

How Jesus Delivered James from the Bite of a Serpent.
... James from the Bite of a Serpent. And Joseph sent James to gather straw, and Jesus
followed him. And while James was gathering the straw, a viper bit him; and ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of thomas/chapter xiv how jesus delivered james.htm

The Mysteries of the Brazen Serpent
... is no serpent there as she knoweth, but she shall know it when the days of her
frivolity are ended. It is true he that curseth God knows not that a viper hath ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the mysteries of the brazen.htm

And they Went Away from Capernaum into the City which is Called ...
... an accursed viper has struck my hand. ... and all that He did was to blow on the hand
of James, and cool it: and immediately James was healed, and the serpent died ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 41 and they went.htm

The Acts of Philip.
... why do you punish these men because they have told you that the serpent is your ... your
blood, and having mixed it with wine, to bring it to the viper to drink it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the acts of philip/the acts of philip.htm

Addition to Acts of Philip.
... has breathed upon you: why do you punish these men for saying the serpent is your ...
as they hang head downward, and mix it with wine, and offer it to the viper. ...
/.../unknown/the acts of philip/addition to acts of philip.htm

Ephesians iv. 31
... others. "Such a one," say they, "is a bitter man, he is a scorpion, a serpent,
a viper." They look upon him as one to be feared. But ...
/.../homily xv ephesians iv 31.htm

Letter Xcvii. To Pammachius and Marcella.
... Where now is the wriggling serpent? [2650] In what plight does the venomous viper
find himself? His is. A human face with wolfish body joined. [2651]. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xcvii to pammachius and.htm

After the Wreck
... The shipwreck took place in November probably, and the 'viper' had curled itself
up for its ... A good man may be stung by a serpent in the act of doing a good ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/after the wreck.htm

John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
... begotten of them. The viper was a species of serpent from two to five feet
in length, and about one inch thick. Its head is flat ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xvii john the baptists person.htm

The Creation of Moving Creatures.
... The serpent is shifty; so he has been condemned to crawl. ... The viper, the cruelest
of reptiles, unites itself with the sea lamprey, and, announcing its presence ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily vii the creation of.htm

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