- Oct 27, 2006
- 1,129
- 186
- Country
- Australia
- Faith
- Other Religion
- Marital Status
- Married
It seems that the author of Genesis is saying that there was a talking snake - it talked not because it was possessed, but because "the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made". Also Matthew 10:16 says "...be as wise as snakes..." So the intelligence seems to come from the animal rather than from the devil using it like a puppet.
2 Corinthians 11:3 says "...Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning...". 2 Corinthians mentions Satan 3 times (2:11, 11:14, 12:7) - if the serpent was Satan it should have said so.
1 Timothy 2:14 says that the woman was deceived - it doesn't mention by who, though 1 Timothy mentions Satan in other places (1:20, 5:15).
Also the animal is punished: "Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life".
BTW serpents aren't always bad - Numbers 21:9:
"...Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived."
John 3:14 even says that Jesus is like that snake:
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up"
I think one of the only passages that supports the idea that Satan was the talking snake is Revelation which calls Satan the "ancient serpent".
Some Christians say that the curse of the snake contains the gospel message but I'm not sure that has direct Biblical support.
I think it is very common for Christians to believe that Satan was the serpent - after all it might sound a bit ridiculous for there to be an intelligent talking snake.
2 Corinthians 11:3 says "...Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning...". 2 Corinthians mentions Satan 3 times (2:11, 11:14, 12:7) - if the serpent was Satan it should have said so.
1 Timothy 2:14 says that the woman was deceived - it doesn't mention by who, though 1 Timothy mentions Satan in other places (1:20, 5:15).
Also the animal is punished: "Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life".
BTW serpents aren't always bad - Numbers 21:9:
"...Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived."
John 3:14 even says that Jesus is like that snake:
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up"
I think one of the only passages that supports the idea that Satan was the talking snake is Revelation which calls Satan the "ancient serpent".
Some Christians say that the curse of the snake contains the gospel message but I'm not sure that has direct Biblical support.
I think it is very common for Christians to believe that Satan was the serpent - after all it might sound a bit ridiculous for there to be an intelligent talking snake.