Unveiling the Mystery: Who Was the Serpent in the Bible?

Who Was the Serpent?

In the account of Eve's temptation and the Fall of mankind in Genesis chapter 3, we encounter a creature known as "the serpent." This raises the question: who or what is this serpent? Some argue that the story is symbolic or allegorical because animals cannot speak human language. So, who is the one using the serpent's body to deceive Eve and lead her to disobey God?

To understand the identity of the serpent, it is important to interpret Scripture by Scripture and examine what other verses have to say on the matter.

The Words of Jesus

Jesus once said to some Pharisees who were trying to kill him, "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44).

To what event involving lying and murder from the beginning could Jesus be referring? The temptation of Eve fits this description perfectly. The serpent lied to Eve when he said, "You will not surely die," which was the first lie recorded in Scripture. Therefore, it is fitting to describe the person behind this lie as the "father of lies."

The serpent's actions resulted in death not only for Adam and Eve but for all of humanity. Thus, Jesus' term "murderer" also applies to whoever tempted Eve. The actions of the serpent align with everything Jesus attributed to "the devil" in John 8:44. Moreover, no other event in recorded history better fulfills this description of Satan than the temptation by the serpent in Genesis 3.

Revelation further connects the serpent of Genesis 3 with Satan or the devil. In Revelation 12:9 and 20:2, it refers to "the great dragon, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world."

The Identity of the Serpent

Was the serpent Satan? While the Bible states that "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14), it seems unlikely that this happened in the Garden of Eden. Theologian Henry C. Thiessen suggests that the serpent is not a figurative description of Satan nor Satan in the form of a serpent. Instead, the real serpent was the agent in Satan's hand. This can be inferred from Genesis 3:1, which describes the reptile, and from the curse pronounced upon it in Genesis 3:14.

The Bible reveals that demons can indwell either human bodies or animal bodies under certain conditions. For example, when Jesus cast out a legion of demons from a man, they entered a herd of pigs that then ran into the sea (Mark 5:1–13). Therefore, it is plausible to conclude that Satan used the body of a specific serpent on this occasion to carry out his subtle purpose of tempting Eve to sin.

It is important to recognize that euphemisms like calling the serpent "the personification of evil" or dismissing the incident as "myth" or "theological poetry" do not align with how the Bible presents this episode. The Bible depicts it as a personal encounter between Eve and Satan, just as real as Christ's encounter with Satan in the wilderness.

Satan Speaking?

When Satan tempted Jesus, he used words. Jesus replied to him, and their conversation is recorded in Matthew's and Luke's Gospels (Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13). However, we are not told how Satan appeared during this encounter.

In John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, the description of Christian's conversation and fight with Apollyon resonates with many Christians who have had similar spiritual experiences. It is even said that Martin Luther found his conflicts with the devil so real that he once threw an inkwell at him.

Regarding the temptation of Eve, Christian writer J. Oswald Sanders suggests that just as the speaking of Balaam's donkey was a divine miracle, the speaking of the serpent could be seen as a diabolic miracle.

Where Did Satan Come From?

The Bible does not provide extensive details about the origin and apostasy of Satan. We learn that he is the chief of the fallen angels (called demons or devils) and is the great adversary of God and humanity (Job 1:6–12; 2:1–6; 1 Peter 5:8).

Satan fell through pride (1 Timothy 3:6), but we can deduce that this event occurred after God declared everything He had made as "very good" at the end of the sixth day of creation (Genesis 1:31) and before the Fall of man recorded in Genesis 3.

Contrary to popular belief, Satan is not depicted as the ruler of Hell in the Bible. Instead, Jesus referred to him as "the prince of this world" (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11), "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4), and "the prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2). Scripture portrays Satan as moving about on Earth and in heavenly realms, actively opposing God's plans and deceiving people (Job 2:2; 1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:11–12).

Why Did God Create Satan?

The question arises: if God knew that Satan, along with other angels, and eventually Adam and Eve, would rebel against Him, why did He proceed with creation in the first place?

The short answer is that we do not know exactly why. However, we can make a few observations.

Firstly, God chose to permit sin, knowing its nature and the consequences it would have on His creation. He also knew what He would have to do to save humanity from sin.

Secondly, God determined to overrule sin for good. This means that He allowed sin to occur but intended to bring about good through it.

Thirdly, God made salvation from sin available through Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross. This provides forgiveness and redemption for all who believe.

Fourthly, God determined to destroy the works of the devil and display His righteousness through judgment and punishment of the wicked.

Additionally, God formed the Church—a body of believers from both Jews and Gentiles—who are called the bride of Christ. They will share in God's glory as His children, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. They will reign with Him forever (Romans 8:16–17; Revelation 19:7; 22:5).

Why This Matters

Understanding the identity of the serpent in Genesis 3 helps us grasp the nature of Satan and his role in tempting Eve. It reveals Satan as a deceiver and a tempter who seeks to lead humanity away from God's truth. Recognizing this enables us to be vigilant against his lies and schemes.

Think About It

How does knowing that Satan used a specific serpent in the Garden of Eden impact your understanding of temptation? Does it make it easier or more challenging to recognize and resist deception? Consider how you can apply this understanding to your daily life as a follower of Christ.