Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, venom is often used metaphorically to describe the destructive and harmful nature of sin, wickedness, and deceit. The imagery of venom, particularly that of serpents, is employed to convey the insidious and deadly effects of evil actions and words.
Old Testament ReferencesThe concept of venom is introduced early in the Scriptures, with the serpent in the Garden of Eden (
Genesis 3:1-5) symbolizing deceit and temptation. Although the term "venom" is not explicitly used in this passage, the serpent's role in leading humanity into sin sets the stage for later biblical references to venomous creatures.
In
Deuteronomy 32:33, the venom of serpents is used to describe the bitterness and deadly consequences of Israel's rebellion against God: "Their wine is the venom of serpents, the deadly poison of cobras." Here, venom symbolizes the corrupting influence of idolatry and disobedience.
The Psalms also employ the imagery of venom to describe the wickedness of those who speak deceitfully.
Psalm 58:4-5 states, "Their venom is like the poison of a serpent, like a cobra that shuts its ears, that does not heed the tune of the charmer who skillfully weaves his spell." This passage highlights the stubbornness and danger of those who refuse to listen to wisdom and continue in their malicious ways.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, venom is used to illustrate the sinful nature of humanity and the destructive power of the tongue. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, quotes from the Psalms to emphasize the universality of sin: "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The venom of vipers is on their lips" (
Romans 3:13). This passage underscores the idea that human speech, tainted by sin, can be as harmful and deadly as venom.
James, the brother of Jesus, also warns about the dangers of the tongue in his epistle. In
James 3:8 , he writes, "But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." Here, the "deadly poison" is akin to venom, illustrating the potential for words to cause great harm and destruction.
Symbolism and Theological ImplicationsThroughout the Bible, venom serves as a powerful symbol of the destructive nature of sin and the consequences of turning away from God. It is often associated with deceit, malice, and rebellion, highlighting the moral and spiritual dangers that accompany these behaviors.
The use of venom as a metaphor also points to the need for divine intervention and redemption. Just as venom requires an antidote, the sinfulness of humanity necessitates the saving work of Jesus Christ. Through His sacrifice, believers are offered deliverance from the deadly effects of sin and are called to live lives marked by truth and righteousness.
In summary, the biblical portrayal of venom underscores the seriousness of sin and the importance of seeking God's grace and guidance to overcome its harmful effects.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The poisonous fluid excreted by snakes, scorpions, spiders and bees by biting or stinging.
2. (n.) Spite; malice; malignity; evil quality. Chaucer.
3. (n.) To infect with venom; to envenom; to poison.
Greek
2447. ios -- rust, poison ... poison, rust. Perhaps from eimi (to go) or hiemi (to send); rust (as if emitted
by metals); also
venom (as emitted by serpents) -- poison, rust.
... Strong's Hebrew
7219. rosh -- (bitter and poisonous herb) venom... (bitter and poisonous herb)
venom. Transliteration: rosh or rosh Phonetic Spelling:
(roshe) Short Definition: poison.
... gall, hemlock, poison,
venom.
... 4846. merorah -- a bitter thing, gall, poison
... Word Origin from marar Definition a bitter thing, gall, poison NASB Word Usage
bitter (1), bitter things (1), venom (1). bitter thing, gall. ...
2534. chemah -- heat, rage
... Usage anger (7), angry (1), burning anger (1), enrages (1), fury (9), heat (2),
hot displeasure (1), hot-tempered (3), poison (2), rage (3), venom (5), wrath ...
Library
Addition to Acts of Philip.
... Flee, then, from him, that his venom may not be poured out upon you: if his venom
be poured out upon your body, you walk in his wickedness. ...
They who have Committed a "Sin unto Death" are not to be Abandoned ...
... prophecy, he lays his hand on the hole of the asp, and the serpent injures him not;
he draws him out of his hiding-places, and makes of his venom a spiritual ...
John iii. 12, 13
... But the snake which destroyed had venom, that which saved was free from venom; and
so again was it here, for the death which slew us had sin with it, as the ...
Of the Death of the Martyrs Considered as a Sacrifice, and in what ...
... He who destroys a poisonous animal, or lulls it to sleep with charms, or by any
means deprives it of its venom, he does good to many who would otherwise have ...
January the Twenty-Ninth Noble Revenge
... All this is devil-like. Evil for evil is beast-like. Yes, the dog bites back when
it is bitten. The dog returns snarl for snarl, venom for venom. ...
The Tongue.
... In the drop of venom which distils from the sting of the smallest insect, or the
spikes of the nettle-leaf, there is concentrated the quintessence of a poison ...
It is Somewhat the Same Argument which You Use against the Pope ...
... You gave us all the signs of peace at our departure, and then threw missiles charged
with venom from behind our backs." In this clause or rather declamatory ...
The Folly of Slander. Part 2.
... He is [Greek] (the slanderer); Satan, the spiteful adversary; the old snake or dragon,
hissing out lies, and spitting forth venom of calumnious accusation; the ...
Charity and Rebuke.
... Oh, the influence for good that this venom of the devil has poisoned and ruined,
for it has been, truly said, "There is no virtue so white that back-wounding ...
The Life of St. George Martyr
... Then he did take strong venom and meddled it with wine, and made invocation of the
names of his false gods, and gave it to St. George to drink. St. ...
Thesaurus
Venom (8 Occurrences)... quality. Chaucer. 3. (n.) To infect with
venom; to envenom; to poison.
Multi-Version Concordance
Venom (8 Occurrences). Romans
...Venomous (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Full of venom; noxious to animal life;
poisonous; as, the bite of a serpent may be venomous. 2 ...
Cobras (3 Occurrences)
... Cobras (3 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 32:33 Their wine is the poison of serpents,
The cruel venom of asps. (See NAS NIV). ... It is cobra venom within him. (See NAS). ...
Serpents (18 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Deuteronomy 32:33 Their wine is the poison of serpents, The cruel venom
of asps. (WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV). ... It is cobra venom within him. (See NIV). ...
Poison (17 Occurrences)
... the dust, probably Cerastes hasselquistii, the little horned vipers, are mentioned,
and in Deuteronomy 32:33: "poison of serpents, and the cruel venom of asps ...
Cobra (5 Occurrences)
... Cobra (5 Occurrences). Job 20:14 yet his food in his bowels is turned. It is cobra
venom within him. (WEB NAS). Job 20:16 He shall suck cobra venom. ...
Venison (10 Occurrences)
Viper's (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Viper's (3 Occurrences). Job 20:16 He shall suck cobra
venom. The viper's tongue shall kill him. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS). ...
Viper (8 Occurrences)
... backward. (See RSV NIV). Job 20:16 He shall suck cobra venom. The viper's tongue
shall kill him. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
Vipers (10 Occurrences)
... of the dust. (See NIV). Deuteronomy 32:33 Their wine is the poison of dragons,
And the cruel venom of vipers. (DBY). Psalms 140:3 ...
Resources
What does the Bible say about snakes? Are snakes evil? | GotQuestions.orgMedical marijuana - what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did John the Baptist refer to the Pharisees as a brood of vipers? | GotQuestions.orgVenom: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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