12 Bible Verses About Snakes

Written by: Evelyn Johnson
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Bible verses about snakes

Here are twelve powerful Bible verses about snakes:

1. Genesis 3:1 – “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”
2. Exodus 4:3 – “And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.”
3. Numbers 21:9 – “And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.”
4. Matthew 10:16 – “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
5. Mark 16:18 – “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
6. Luke 10:19 – “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

7. Psalm 58:4 – “Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;”

8. Proverbs 23:32 – “At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”

9. Ecclesiastes 10:8 – “He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.”

10. Isaiah 11:8 – “And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.”

11. Jeremiah 8:17 – “For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the Lord.”

12. Amos 5:19 – “As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.”

What does the bible say about snakes?

The Bible portrays snakes as cunning and deceitful creatures, often associated with evil and temptation.

The most well-known example is the serpent in the Garden of Eden who tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, leading to the fall of humanity.

Snakes are also seen as symbols of danger, fear, and the devil in various passages.

However, there are also instances where snakes are used as symbols of healing and transformation, such as when Moses’ staff turns into a snake to demonstrate God’s power.

Ultimately, the Bible emphasizes the importance of being cautious and vigilant against the deceitful nature of snakes, while also recognizing their potential for transformation and redemption.

What Bible chapters should you read if you want to learn more about snakes?

1. Genesis 3 – This chapter describes the story of the serpent tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden, which is often interpreted as the origin of snakes being associated with deceit and temptation.

2. Numbers 21 – In this chapter, the Israelites are plagued by venomous snakes as a punishment for their disobedience. God instructs Moses to make a bronze snake on a pole to save those who have been bitten, symbolizing the power of God over snakes and their ability to bring both harm and healing.

3. Matthew 10 – This chapter includes a verse where Jesus tells his disciples to be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves,” highlighting the cunning and deceptive nature of snakes as a metaphor for wisdom and discernment in dealing with the challenges of the world.

By reading these chapters, one can gain a deeper understanding of the symbolic and metaphorical significance of snakes in the Bible, as well as the lessons and warnings that they represent in relation to human behavior and spiritual beliefs.

Ideas and concepts related to snakes that are also taught or mentioned in the Bible.’

1. Deception: In the Bible, snakes are often associated with deception, particularly in the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The serpent deceived Eve into eating the forbidden fruit, leading to the fall of humanity. This association has led to snakes being seen as symbols of deceit and trickery.

2. Temptation: Snakes are also linked to temptation in the Bible, as the serpent tempted Eve to disobey God’s command. This concept of temptation and the struggle between good and evil is a recurring theme in the Bible, with snakes serving as a symbol of the temptations that humans face.

3. Evil: Snakes are often portrayed as symbols of evil in the Bible, due to their association with deception and temptation. The serpent in the Garden of Eden is seen as a representation of Satan, the ultimate source of evil in Christian theology. This association has led to snakes being viewed as sinister and malevolent creatures in many religious traditions.

4. Judgment: In some passages of the Bible, snakes are used as symbols of God’s judgment and punishment. For example, in the story of Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness, God sent venomous snakes to punish the people for their disobedience. This concept of snakes as instruments of divine judgment reinforces their negative connotations in biblical symbolism.

Evelyn Johnson - Bible Verses
Written by Evelyn Johnson


Evelyn Johnson is a theologian, Bible expert, and the founder of EncouragingBibleVerses.org, a trusted resource for uplifting and empowering Bible verses.

With a Master's degree in Divinity, Evelyn is dedicated to studying and interpreting the Bible. Her website features curated collections of verses on various topics, along with insightful commentary and practical tips for everyday life.

Evelyn is also a sought-after speaker and author on matters of faith and spirituality. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and volunteering in her local church and community.

Learn more about her and read her other articles here.