🐍 Word Study: ὄφις (ophis)
Strong’s G3789 — “serpent”
🌿 Basic Definition
| Greek Word | Transliteration | Strong’s Number | Part of Speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ὄφις | ophis | G3789 | noun | serpent, snake; symbol of danger, deception, or judgment |
The word appears 14 times in the New Testament and carries layers of meaning—from literal snakes to symbolic references to Satan, deception, danger, and spiritual warfare.
📖 Where ὄφις Appears in Scripture
Below is a clean, organized list of all 14 occurrences.
Gospels
- Matthew 7:10 — A father would not give a serpent when asked for a fish.
Symbol: danger vs. provision. - Matthew 10:16 — “Wise as serpents, harmless as doves.”
Symbol: discernment, shrewdness. - Matthew 23:33 — “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers…”
Symbol: hypocrisy and spiritual corruption. - 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.”
Symbol: divine protection when needed. Never handle serpents to prove anything! - Luke 10:19 — Authority to “tread on serpents and scorpions.”
Symbol: victory over demonic forces. - Luke 11:11 — A father will not give a serpent instead of a fish.
Symbol: God’s goodness.
John
- John 3:14 — Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness.
Symbol: Christ lifted up for salvation.
Paul’s Letters
- 1 Corinthians 10:9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. — Israel destroyed by serpents.
Symbol: judgment for rebellion. - 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. — The serpent deceiving Eve.
Symbol: Satan’s subtle deception.
Revelation
- Revelation 9:19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. — Serpent-like tails bringing harm.
Symbol: demonic torment. - Revelation 12:9 — “That old serpent… the Devil, and Satan.”
Symbol: Satan’s identity. - Revelation 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. — The woman protected from the serpent.
Symbol: God’s preservation of His people. - Revelation 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. — The serpent spews a flood to destroy the woman.
Symbol: satanic attack. - Revelation 20:2 — The dragon, the old serpent, bound.
Symbol: Satan’s final defeat.
🧠 Word Study Notes
1. Literal vs. Symbolic
- Literal serpents appear in Jesus’ teaching illustrations.
- Symbolic serpents represent:
- Satan
- deception
- spiritual danger
- judgment
- demonic power
- the contrast between God’s goodness and evil’s harm
2. Old Testament Background
The New Testament usage draws heavily from:
- Genesis 3 — the serpent deceiving Eve
- Numbers 21 — fiery serpents and the bronze serpent
- Psalm 91:13 — treading on the lion and the serpent
These themes echo strongly in Revelation.
3. Jesus’ Use of the Word
Jesus uses “serpent” in three distinct ways:
- As a contrast (fish vs. serpent)
- As a model of shrewdness (wise as serpents)
- As a rebuke (serpents, brood of vipers)
This shows the word’s flexibility: serpents can represent both danger and discernment.
4. Theological Themes
- Deception — Satan’s primary tactic
- Judgment — serpents as instruments of discipline
- Salvation — Christ as the lifted-up serpent
- Spiritual warfare — authority over serpents
- Final victory — the serpent bound forever
✨ Teaching Points for Families & Groups
- God contrasts His goodness with the danger symbolized by serpents.
- Jesus calls believers to be both wise and gentle.
- The serpent in Eden reappears in Revelation—Scripture forms a complete story.
- Christ’s crucifixion is foreshadowed by the bronze serpent.
- Believers have authority over the enemy’s power.
More Information about Snakes in the Bible
Related Studies
- Symbolism of ὄφις: Serpent in Scripture
- Herpeton Explained: Creeping Things in the Bible
