In the biblical context, poisons are substances that cause harm or death when introduced into the body. The Bible references poisons both literally and metaphorically, often associating them with sin, deceit, and spiritual corruption.

Literal References:

1. Serpents and Venom: The Bible frequently uses the imagery of serpents and their venom to describe the deadly nature of sin and evil. In Deuteronomy 32:33, the venom of serpents is mentioned: "Their wine is the venom of serpents, the deadly poison of cobras." This verse highlights the destructive power of sin, likening it to the lethal effects of snake venom.

2. Deadly Drinks: In Mark 16:18, Jesus speaks of the protection His followers will have: "They will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well." This promise of divine protection underscores the power of faith and God's sovereignty over physical dangers, including poisons.

Metaphorical References:

1. Tongue as a Poison: The Bible often uses the metaphor of poison to describe the harmful effects of words. James 3:8 states, "But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." Here, the tongue's potential to cause harm is likened to poison, emphasizing the need for self-control and the pursuit of righteousness in speech.

2. Bitterness and Sin: In Acts 8:23, Peter rebukes Simon the Sorcerer, saying, "For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity." The term "gall of bitterness" suggests a toxic state of sinfulness and spiritual corruption, illustrating how sin can poison the soul.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons:

The use of poison as a symbol in the Bible serves to illustrate the insidious nature of sin and the importance of spiritual vigilance. Just as physical poisons can destroy the body, spiritual poisons—such as deceit, bitterness, and unrighteousness—can corrupt the soul and lead to spiritual death.

The Bible encourages believers to seek purity and righteousness, avoiding the spiritual poisons that can lead them away from God. In Psalm 140:3, the psalmist describes the wicked: "They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips." This vivid imagery serves as a warning against the dangers of evil speech and actions.

Protection and Deliverance:

Throughout Scripture, God is portrayed as a protector and deliverer from both physical and spiritual poisons. Believers are called to trust in God's power to save and to live lives that reflect His holiness. The promise of protection from poisons, as seen in Mark 16:18, is a testament to God's care for His people and His ability to safeguard them from harm.

In summary, the concept of poisons in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing both literal and metaphorical meanings. It serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive nature of sin and the need for divine protection and righteousness.

Let it be Granted, However, that There are Other Prophylactics ...
... Chapter LXXXVII. Let it be granted, however, that there are other prophylactics
against poisons known to animals? Let it be granted ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxxvii let it be.htm

Those who Give Drugs for Procuring Abortion, and those who Receive ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XCI. Those who give drugs for procuring
abortion, and those who receive poisons to kill the? ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xci those who give.htm

With the Circus
... The poisons of the tobacco and whiskey were doing their fatal work. His
entire system was heavily charged with nicotine and alcohol ...
/.../byrum/how john became a man/chapter viii with the circus.htm

Against Embellishing the Body.
... And that deceitful serpent, devouring the understanding part of man through vanity,
has the soul as its hole, filling all with deadly poisons; and injecting ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii against embellishing the body.htm

Tobacco.
... that when taken into the system acts in an injurious manner, tending to cause death
or serious detriment to health." And different poisons are defined as those ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/i tobacco.htm

The Tongue.
... Now observe, this slander is compared in the text to poison""the tongue is an unruly
evil, full of deadly poison." The deadliest poisons are those for which ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/robertson/sermons preached at brighton/i the tongue.htm

He Thought Within Himself that this World was Far Better than ...
... So that he is to learn a diviner art that will now be happy, and that is like a
royal chemist to reign among poisons, to turn scorpions into fishes, weeds into ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/21 he thought within himself.htm

God Forsakes us to Some Extent that we May not Grow Proud.
... shown, be cured by pains? Poisons can also, if one only inquire and learn
the fact, be expelled by poisons. Now, if he observes ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 32 xxviii god forsakes us.htm

The Earth Brings Forth, as if by Suppuration...
... The poisons are as many as are the kinds of it, the disasters as many as are also
the species of it, the pains as many as are also the colours of it. ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter i the earth brings.htm

Trinity Sunday.
... Does every one here know how poisons act upon the human frame, and what is the
different operation of different poisons,"how laudanum kills, for instance ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xxvii trinity sunday.htm

Poisons (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Poisons (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 23:32 In the end,
it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper. (WEB NIV). ...
/p/poisons.htm - 6k

Poison (17 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) To injure or kill by poison; to administer poison to. 5. (n.) To taint;
to corrupt; to vitiate; as, vice poisons happiness; slander poisoned his mind. ...
/p/poison.htm - 17k

Viper (8 Occurrences)
... Viper's poison is under their lips. Selah. (WEB JPS NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 23:32
In the end, it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper. (WEB NAS NIV). ...
/v/viper.htm - 10k

Poison-plant (1 Occurrence)
Poison-plant. Poisonous, Poison-plant. Poisons . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Poisonous, Poison-plant. Poisons . Reference Bible.
/p/poison-plant.htm - 6k

Poison-snake (4 Occurrences)
Poison-snake. Poisons, Poison-snake. Poison-snakes . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Poisons, Poison-snake. Poison-snakes . Reference Bible.
/p/poison-snake.htm - 7k

Bites (5 Occurrences)
... people of Israel. (BBE). Proverbs 23:32 In the end, it bites like a snake,
and poisons like a viper. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Ecclesiastes 10 ...
/b/bites.htm - 7k

Bite (13 Occurrences)
... Psalms 73:21 My heart was made bitter, and I was pained by the bite of grief: (BBE).
Proverbs 23:32 In the end, it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper. ...
/b/bite.htm - 12k

Snake (43 Occurrences)
... their lips. (Selah.) (BBE). Proverbs 23:32 In the end, it bites like a snake,
and poisons like a viper. (WEB BBE NIV). Proverbs 30 ...
/s/snake.htm - 19k

Persian (4 Occurrences)
... Vohu Mano, and so in order: Indra (or Andra, "demon of untruthfulness"), Saurva
("evil government") Nonhaithya ("discontent"), Tauru ("who poisons water") and ...
/p/persian.htm - 45k

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