What does the Bible say about serpent?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents the serpent as a fitting image of Satan, the deceiver and enemy of God’s people, while also proclaiming his certain defeat through Christ. In Genesis 3:1 the serpent tempts Eve into sin, and Revelation 12:9 identifies the ancient serpent as the devil, who deceives the world. Jesus calls Satan a liar and murderer in John 8:44, and 1 Peter 5:8 urges believers to resist him soberly and steadfastly. Revelation 20:2 assures us that Satan’s power is limited and will be judged. Though Isaiah 14:12 speaks first to Babylon’s proud king, Christians have often seen it as reflecting the pattern of satanic pride.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- John 8:44
You are of your Father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn't stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.
- Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, "Yes, has God said, 'You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?'"
- Revelation 12:9
The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
- Revelation 20:2
He seized the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole inhabited earth, and bound him for a thousand years,
- Isaiah 14:12
How you are fallen from heaven, day-star, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, who laid the nations low!
- 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- Satan appears to Eve in the form of Genesis 3:1-15; 2 Corinthians 11:3
- Subtlety of Genesis 3:1; Ecclesiastes 10:8; Matthew 10:16
- Curse upon Genesis 3:14; Genesis 3:15; Genesis 49:17
- Feeds upon the dust Genesis 3:14; Isaiah 65:25; Micah 7:17
- Unfit for food Matthew 7:10
- Venom of Deuteronomy 32:24; Deuteronomy 32:33; Job 20:16; Psalms 58:4; Psalms 140:3; Proverbs 23:31; Proverbs 23:32; Acts 28:5; Acts 28:6
- The staff of Moses transformed into Exodus 4:3; Exodus 7:15
- Fiery (poisonous), sent as a plague upon the Israelites Numbers 21:6; Numbers 21:7; Deuteronomy 8:15; 1 Corinthians 10:9
- The wound of, miraculously healed by looking upon the bronze snake, erected by Moses Numbers 21:8; Numbers 21:9
- The charming of Psalms 58:4; Psalms 58:5; Ecclesiastes 10:11; Jeremiah 8:17
- Mentioned in Solomon’ s riddle Proverbs 30:19
- Constriction of Revelation 9:19
- Sea serpent Amos 9:3
- The seventy disciples (the best mss have “seventy-two”) endued with power over Luke 10:19
- The apostles given power over Mark 16:18; Acts 28:5
- FIGURATIVE Isaiah 14:29; Isaiah 30:6; Isaiah 65:25
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