In the Bible, the term "viper" is used to describe a venomous snake, often symbolizing danger, deceit, and malevolence. The imagery of vipers is employed in both the Old and New Testaments to convey spiritual and moral lessons, as well as to illustrate the nature of certain individuals or groups.

Old Testament References

The Hebrew word for viper, "ʾepʿeh," appears in several Old Testament passages. In Isaiah 30:6, the prophet Isaiah warns of the dangers in the Negev, a region described as a land of trouble and anguish, inhabited by lions, adders, and flying serpents. The viper here symbolizes the perilous journey and the threats that lie in wait for those who venture into this desolate area.

Isaiah 59:5 uses the imagery of vipers to describe the sinful actions of the people: "They hatch viper eggs and weave spider’s webs. Whoever eats their eggs will die; crack one open, and a viper is hatched." This metaphor highlights the destructive nature of sin and the inevitable consequences of engaging in wickedness.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, vipers are mentioned primarily in the context of John the Baptist and Jesus addressing the Pharisees and Sadducees. In Matthew 3:7, John the Baptist calls the religious leaders a "brood of vipers," challenging their hypocrisy and warning them of the impending judgment: "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, 'You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?'"

Similarly, Jesus uses the term in Matthew 12:34 and 23:33 to rebuke the Pharisees for their deceitful and corrupt nature: "You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). In these instances, the viper symbolizes the insidious and dangerous nature of hypocrisy and false piety.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The viper serves as a powerful symbol of evil and deceit throughout the biblical narrative. Its venomous nature is emblematic of the destructive power of sin and the moral corruption that can infiltrate the hearts of individuals and communities. The use of viper imagery underscores the need for vigilance, repentance, and the pursuit of righteousness.

In a broader theological context, the viper can also be seen as a representation of Satan and his influence in the world. The serpent in the Garden of Eden, though not explicitly called a viper, shares similar characteristics of cunning and deceit, leading humanity into sin (Genesis 3:1-5).

Practical Application

For believers, the biblical references to vipers serve as a cautionary reminder to guard against hypocrisy, deceit, and moral compromise. The call to repentance and genuine faith is emphasized through the stark imagery of vipers, urging individuals to seek purity of heart and alignment with God's will. The warnings against vipers challenge Christians to examine their own lives, ensuring that their actions and words reflect the truth and love of the Gospel.2191. echidna -- a viper
... what is . Word Origin from echis (a viper, adder) Definition a viper NASB
Word Usage viper (1), vipers (4). viper. Of uncertain ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2191.htm - 6k

Wherefore all this About the Generation of vipers...
... Book I. Chapter 20. " 22. Wherefore all this about the generation of
vipers? "22. Wherefore all this about the generation ...
/.../chapter 20 22 wherefore.htm

Petilianus Said: "In the Third Place, Also...
... Petilianus said: "In the third place, also, He calls the madness of persecutors
in like manner by this name, Ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the ...
/.../chapter 14 31 petilianus.htm

Matt. xii. 33
... Then since He is arguing not for Himself, but for the Spirit, He hath dealt out
His reproof even as a torrent, saying, "O generation of vipers, how can ye ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xlii matt xii 33.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John i. 10, "The World was Made ...
... [3629] For when he saw these self-same Jews priding themselves on their birth from
Abraham, he said to them, "O generation of vipers." [3630] They called ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxi on the words.htm

John Chapter viii. 37-47
... [778] And so, when the Jews came to John to be baptized, he broke out upon them,
and addressed them, "O generation of vipers." Very greatly indeed did they ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xlii john chapter viii.htm

John the Preacher of Repentance
... 6. And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.7. Then said he to the multitude
that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/john the preacher of repentance.htm

Comparison of the Statements of the Four Evangelists Respecting ...
... the occurrence recorded in Matthew, when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees
coming to his baptism, and said to them, "Ye generations of vipers," etc. ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/14 comparison of the statements.htm

"Woe unto You, Because Ye Build the Tombs of the Prophets, and ...
... And this is manifest too by what comes after; He adds at least, "Ye serpents, ye
generation of vipers." [2698] For as those beasts are like their parents, in ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxiv woe unto you.htm

Matt. Iii. 7
... Matt. III. 7. Matt. III.7. "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees
come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xi matt iii 7.htm

The Mode of Controversy Changed the Premisses of Hermogenes ...
... Here some man will say, Then will "children not be raised up to Abraham from the
stones?" [6248] Will "generations of vipers not bring forth the fruit of ...
/.../tertullian/against hermogenes/chapter xii the mode of controversy.htm

Vipers (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Vipers (10 Occurrences). ... Matthew 12:34 You offspring
of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? ...
/v/vipers.htm - 9k

Offspring (186 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism,
he said to them, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from ...
/o/offspring.htm - 36k

Brood (19 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism,
he exclaimed, "O vipers' brood, who has warned you to flee from the coming ...
/b/brood.htm - 13k

Generation (150 Occurrences)
... In Matthew 1:17, the word means a succession or series of persons from the same
stock. Matthew 3:7, "Generation of vipers" = brood of vipers. ...
/g/generation.htm - 44k

O (1414 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism,
he said to them, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from ...
/o/o.htm - 37k

Viper (8 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/v/viper.htm - 10k

Warned (63 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism,
he said to them, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from ...
/w/warned.htm - 25k

Flee (187 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism,
he said to them, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from ...
/f/flee.htm - 38k

Forewarned (15 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:7 But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism,
he said to them, Offspring of vipers, who has forewarned you to flee from the ...
/f/forewarned.htm - 11k

Poison (17 Occurrences)
... serpents (the Revised Version (British and American) "crawling things") of the dust,
probably Cerastes hasselquistii, the little horned vipers, are mentioned ...
/p/poison.htm - 17k

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