the characteristics of the "serpent" as alluded to in Scripture are mostly evil (though Mat 10:16 refers to its caution in avoiding danger); its treachery, Gen 49:17, 2Co 11:3; its venom, Psa 58:4, 1Co 10:9, Rev 9:19; its skulking, Job 26:13; its murderous proclivities, e.g., Psa 58:4, Pro 23:32, Ecc 10:8, Ecc 10:11, Amo 5:19, Mar 16:18, Luk 10:19; the Lord used the word metaphorically of the scribes and Pharisees, Mat 23:33 (cp. echidna, "viper," in Mat 3:7, Mat 12:34). The general aspects of its evil character are intimated in the Lord's rhetorical question in Mat 7:10, Luk 11:11. Its characteristics are concentrated in the archadversary of God and man, the Devil, metaphorically described as the serpent, 2Co 11:3, Rev 12:9, Rev 1:12-15, Rev 20:2. The brazen "serpent" lifted up by Moses was symbolical of the means of salvation provided by God, in Christ and His vicarious death under the Divine judgment upon sin, Joh 3:14. While the living "serpent" symbolizes sin in its origin, hatefulness, and deadly effect, the brazen "serpent" symbolized the bearing away of the curse and the judgement of sin; the metal was itself figurative of the righteousness of God's judgment.
<2,,2062, herpeton>
"a creeping thing" (from herpo, "to creep"), "a reptile," is rendered "serpents" in Jam 3:7, AV (RV, "creeping things," as elsewhere). See CREEP, B.
