The term "viper" in the Bible is used both literally and metaphorically, often symbolizing danger, deceit, and malice. In the ancient Near East, vipers were well-known venomous snakes, and their presence in Scripture underscores themes of sin, judgment, and the need for spiritual vigilance.

Biblical References:

1. Literal Usage:
· 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 emerges due to the heat and fastens itself onto his hand. The islanders expect him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but Paul shakes the creature off into the fire and suffers no harm. This incident demonstrates God's protection over Paul and serves as a testament to divine power over natural threats.

2. Metaphorical Usage:
· The term "viper" is frequently used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe individuals or groups characterized by hypocrisy and evil intentions. In Matthew 3:7, John the Baptist addresses the Pharisees and Sadducees as a "brood of vipers," warning them of the impending wrath and urging them to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. This metaphor highlights the religious leaders' deceitful nature and their failure to live righteously.
· Similarly, Jesus uses the term in Matthew 12:34 and 23:33 to rebuke the Pharisees, emphasizing their corrupt hearts and the danger they pose to others. The imagery of vipers underscores the seriousness of their spiritual condition and the need for genuine repentance.

Symbolism:

In biblical symbolism, vipers represent sin and the destructive power of evil. Their venomous nature is akin to the corrupting influence of sin, which can lead to spiritual death if not addressed. The imagery of vipers serves as a stark warning against hypocrisy, deceit, and moral corruption.

Theological Implications:

The use of "viper" in Scripture calls believers to examine their own hearts and actions, ensuring they align with God's standards. It serves as a reminder of the importance of sincerity, integrity, and the transformative power of repentance. The metaphorical application of vipers in the New Testament challenges individuals to reject hypocrisy and embrace a life of genuine faith and obedience to God.

Cultural Context:

In the cultural context of the Bible, vipers were feared for their deadly bite, making them a fitting symbol for spiritual danger. The biblical authors' use of this imagery would have resonated with their audience, who understood the lethal threat posed by these creatures. This cultural understanding amplifies the urgency of the biblical warnings associated with vipers.

Conclusion:

The biblical portrayal of vipers, both literal and metaphorical, serves as a powerful tool for teaching about the nature of sin, the necessity of repentance, and the protective power of God. Through these references, Scripture calls believers to vigilance, purity, and a steadfast commitment to living according to God's will.In Job 20:16, Isaiah 30:6; 59:5, the Hebrews word eph'eh is thus rendered. The Hebrew word, however, probably denotes a species of poisonous serpents known by the Arabic name of `el ephah. Tristram has identified it with the sand viper, a species of small size common in sandy regions, and frequently found under stones by the shores of the Dead Sea. It is rapid in its movements, and highly poisonous. In the New Testament echidne is used (Matthew 3:7; 12:34; 23:33) for any poisonous snake. The viper mentioned in Acts 28:3 was probably the vipera aspis, or the Mediterranean viper. (see ADDER.) 1. (a.) Any one of numerous species of Old World venomous makes belonging to Vipera, Clotho, Daboia, and other genera of the family Viperidae.

2. (n.) A dangerous, treacherous, or malignant person.

VIPER

vi'-per ('eph`eh (Job 20:16 Isaiah 30:6; Isaiah 59:5); echidna (Matthew 3:7 = Luke 3:7 Matthew 12:34; Matthew 23:33 Acts 28:3)): Several vipers are found in Palestine, but it is not certain that 'eph`eh referred definitely to any of them.

See SERPENT.

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 - 6k660. epheh -- (a kind of) viper
... 659, 660. epheh. 661 . (a kind of) viper. Transliteration: epheh Phonetic
Spelling: (ef-eh') Short Definition: snake. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/660.htm - 6k

5919. akshub -- asp, viper
... 5918, 5919. akshub. 5920 . asp, viper. Transliteration: akshub Phonetic
Spelling: (ak-shoob') Short Definition: viper. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/5919.htm - 5k

8207. shephiphon -- horned viper
... 8206, 8207. shephiphon. 8208 . horned viper. Transliteration: shephiphon
Phonetic Spelling: (shef-ee-fone') Short Definition: snake. ...
/hebrew/8207.htm - 6k

6848a. 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

6848. tsepha' -- a serpent
... adder, cockatrice From an unused root meaning to extrude; a viper (as thrusting
out the tongue, ie Hissing) -- adder, cockatrice. 6847, 6848. ...
/hebrew/6848.htm - 5k

Paul in Malta and Rome.
... "And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire,
there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxix paul in malta.htm

The Acts of Philip.
... And all these things Philip said to the multitudes that had come together to worship
as in old times the serpents and the viper, of which also they set up ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the acts of philip/the acts of philip.htm

How Jesus Delivered James from the Bite of a Serpent.
... And while James was gathering the straw, a viper bit him; and he fell to
the ground, as if dead from the poison. And Jesus seeing ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of thomas/chapter xiv how jesus delivered james.htm

Absurd Representations of the Gods.
... Why, what man of judgment and reflection will believe that a viper was begotten
by a god (thus Orpheus:". ... In sight a frightful viper, on whose head. ...
/.../a plea for the christians/chapter xx absurd representations of the.htm

And they Went Away from Capernaum into the City which is Called ...
... And while James was collecting the vegetables, a viper suddenly came out of a hole
and struck his hand, [1689] and he began to cry out from excessive pain. ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 41 and they went.htm

Acts xxviii. 1
... And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there
came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.". ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily liv acts xxviii 1.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. v. 22, "Whosoever Shall Say to ...
... The horse does not tame himself; the camel does not tame himself; the elephant does
not tame himself; the viper does not tame himself; the lion does not tame ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon v on the words.htm

The Evil one Said, "I Fear Him, Even Jesus, Lest He Destroy My ...
... The viper that is within him is out of his power; for the lust that is within him
he tames not. Secret sin like an asp, when it breathes on him he is scorched. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xli the evil one.htm

Letter i. To Eusebius.
... Assuredly those Gentiles are reported to have entertained the same sort of thought
respecting Paul also, when the viper had bitten him, for they said, "This ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /letter i to eusebius.htm

After the Wreck
... because of the present rain, and because of the cold.3. And when Paul had gathered
a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/after the wreck.htm

Viper (8 Occurrences)
... Tristram has identified it with the sand viper, a species of small size common in
sandy regions, and frequently found under stones by the shores of the Dead Sea ...
/v/viper.htm - 10k

Viper's (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Viper's (3 Occurrences). Job 20:16 He shall suck cobra
venom. The viper's tongue shall kill him. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS). ...
/v/viper's.htm - 7k

Adder (9 Occurrences)
... (Psalm 140:3; Romans 3:13, "asp") is the rendering of,. (1.) Akshub ("coiling" or
"lying in wait"), properly an asp or viper, found only in this passage. ...
/a/adder.htm - 11k

Vipers (10 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 59:5 They hatch basilisks' eggs, and weave the spider's web; he that eateth
of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. ...
/v/vipers.htm - 9k

Cockatrice (3 Occurrences)
... It is generally supposed to denote the cerastes, or "horned viper," a
very poisonous serpent about a foot long. Others think it ...
/c/cockatrice.htm - 10k

Webs (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 59:5 Eggs of a viper they have hatched, And webs of a spider they weave,
Whoso is eating their eggs doth die, And the crushed hatcheth a viper. (YLT). ...
/w/webs.htm - 7k

Egg (3 Occurrences)
... They hatch adders' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs
dieth; and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper." Gene Stratton ...
/e/egg.htm - 10k

Cobra (5 Occurrences)
... The viper's tongue shall kill him. ... Isaiah 11:8 The nursing child will play near a
cobra's hole, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper's den. ...
/c/cobra.htm - 7k

Serpents (18 Occurrences)
... It is cobra venom within him. (See NIV). Job 20:16 He shall suck cobra venom.
The viper's tongue shall kill him. (See NIV). Isaiah ...
/s/serpents.htm - 11k

Saraph (3 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 14:29 Rejoice not thou, Philistia, all of thee, That broken hath been the
rod of thy smiter, For from the root of a serpent cometh out a viper, And its ...
/s/saraph.htm - 7k

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