Topical Bible: The Devil: Compared to a Serpent

◄ The Devil: Compared to a Serpent ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The imagery of the serpent is one of the most enduring and significant symbols associated with the Devil in the Bible. This comparison is rooted in the earliest chapters of Scripture and carries profound theological implications throughout the biblical narrative.

Genesis and the Fall

The first and most direct comparison of the Devil to a serpent occurs in the Book of Genesis. In Genesis 3:1 , the text states, "Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made." Here, the serpent is depicted as a cunning creature, embodying deceit and temptation. The serpent's role in the Garden of Eden is pivotal, as it tempts Eve to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, leading to the fall of humanity. This act of deception is traditionally understood by conservative Christian theology as the work of Satan, who uses the serpent as his instrument to introduce sin into the world.

Symbolism and Characteristics

The serpent's characteristics—craftiness, subtlety, and the ability to instill doubt—are emblematic of the Devil's nature. In John 8:44 , Jesus describes the Devil as "a liar and the father of lies," which aligns with the serpent's deceitful actions in Eden. The serpent's ability to speak and persuade Eve highlights the Devil's skill in manipulation and his role as the adversary of God and humanity.

The Serpent in Revelation

The imagery of the serpent reappears in the Book of Revelation, where it is explicitly linked to Satan. Revelation 12:9 states, "And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world." This passage not only identifies the serpent with the Devil but also emphasizes his role as the deceiver on a cosmic scale. The serpent's depiction as a dragon further amplifies its menacing and destructive nature.

Theological Implications

The comparison of the Devil to a serpent carries significant theological weight. It underscores the Devil's role as the tempter and deceiver, whose primary objective is to lead humanity away from God. The serpent's presence in the Garden of Eden and its connection to the fall of man highlight the Devil's influence in the introduction of sin and the subsequent need for redemption through Jesus Christ.

Christ's Victory Over the Serpent

In Christian theology, the serpent's defeat is assured through the work of Christ. Genesis 3:15 contains the protoevangelium, or the first gospel, where God declares to the serpent, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." This prophecy is seen as a foretelling of Christ's ultimate victory over Satan, achieved through His death and resurrection. The imagery of the serpent's head being crushed signifies the decisive defeat of the Devil and the restoration of humanity's relationship with God.

Conclusion

The comparison of the Devil to a serpent is a powerful and enduring symbol within the biblical narrative. It encapsulates the nature of the Devil as a deceiver and adversary, while also pointing to the hope of redemption and victory through Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 20:2
And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Mysteries of the Brazen Serpent
... Fiery serpents, ye are nothing when compared with fiery ... to Christ." For remember
the brazen serpent was lifted up ... have eternal life." Sinner, the devil says you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the mysteries of the brazen.htm

Whether a Spell Can be an Impediment to Marriage?
... man's: "There is no power upon earth that can be compared with him ... in other animals
according to Gn.3, since the devil tempted the woman through a serpent. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a spell can be.htm

On the Soul (Anima).
... they are, which in holy Scripture are compared with the hostile power, the devil
is said to be ... For the prophet [2206] intimates that the serpent and dragon ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter viii on the soul anima.htm

The Clean and the Unclean
... but the slime of the serpent is on them all,. ... We do preach against Arminianism, but
that is a white devil compared with the black devil of Antinomianism. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the clean and the unclean.htm

Letter vi. Temptation.
... consequence of his cunning and craft, he is called the serpent.[C] He ... "Neither give
place to the devil.". The heart is very properly compared to a castle or fort ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter vi temptation.htm

The Protevangelium.
... ponerou] (ie, mali, masculinum, according to Bengel), compared with ver ... of the wicked
one, or of the devil, who are ... passage, are the seed of the serpent who is ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the protevangelium.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xi. 5, "Which of You Shall have a ...
... to Christ." And, "I fear lest as the serpent beguiled Eve ... by faith." [3351] Therefore
let not the devil corrupt our ... hope, which, as I think, is compared to an ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lv on the words.htm

Ephesians vi. 14-17
... asunder, by this we cut off even the serpent's head ... say, "thou shalt with it quench
the darts of the devil. ... present time are not worthy to be compared with the ...
/.../homily xxiv ephesians vi 14-17.htm

On the Perfection of Patience.
... 2096] Rightly then are the stings of envy compared by the ... man: for "by the envy of
the devil death entered ... of men has fitly said: "If a serpent bite without ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xvi on the perfection.htm

John Chapter iii. 21-Jun
... What comparison can there be, God compared to man, truth ... Hadst thou not consented,
the devil had brought in ... as Moses," saith He, "lifted up the serpent in the ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xii john chapter iii.htm