A fun and safe resource for kids, provided by Got Questions.
What does the Bible say about snakes?
Great question! Here's the answer:
The Bible has a lot to say about snakes. Snakes are mentioned in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1), Pharaoh’s court (Exodus 7:12), in the wilderness (Numbers 21:7), and on the island of Malta (Acts 28:3).
Snakes often get a bad reputation in the Bible due to their connection with Satan in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). While snakes themselves are not inherently evil, they are often associated with the devil and evil. Throughout the Bible, snakes are used as metaphors for evil, wicked people, and wicked behavior. Psalm 58:4 shows us an example, "Their words are like the poison of a snake. They are like the poison of a cobra that has covered up its ears."
Satan used the serpent in the Garden of Eden in some way to possess it; he could have entered the snake or controlled it. Through the snake, Satan spoke to Adam and Eve and led them to disobedience. God cursed the snake and declared that the snake would forever crawl on its belly and eat dust every day of its life (Genesis 3:14). Whenever you see a snake, you can think about the fall of man and how it has affected us today.
The only One who could ultimately destroy the serpent is Jesus Himself. When Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected, He destroyed the devil's work (1 John 3:8). No longer do we have to live in fear of the devil or his schemes. Through placing faith in Jesus, we are redeemed and saved from eternal separation in hell (John 3:16–17). Jesus has crushed the serpent's head, and we will forever be able to walk in this freedom (Genesis 3:15).
Bible Truth
“The serpent was more clever than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. The serpent said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, "You must not eat fruit from any tree in the garden"?’” (Genesis 3:1).
“They’ll be forced to eat dust like a snake. They’ll be like creatures that have to crawl on the ground. They’ll come out of their dens trembling with fear. They’ll show respect for the Lord our God. They will also have respect for his people” (Micah 7:17).
“A baby will play near a hole where cobras live. A young child will put its hand into a nest where poisonous snakes live. None of those animals will harm or destroy anything or anyone on my holy mountain of Zion. The oceans are full of water. In the same way, the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:8–9).
