Original Word: פֶתֶן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: pethen
Pronunciation: peh'-then
Phonetic Spelling: (peh'-then)
Definition: an asp
Meaning: An asp, a venomous serpent.

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to twist.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G785 (ἀσπίς • aspis): This Greek term is used in the New Testament to refer to a venomous snake, similar to the Hebrew פֶתֶן. It appears in Romans 3:13, where the apostle Paul quotes the Old Testament to describe the destructive nature of human sinfulness.

• G935 (βασιλεύς • basileus): While not directly related to פֶתֶן, this term means "king" and is used metaphorically in Revelation to describe the authority and power of Christ, contrasting the destructive power of sin symbolized by the serpent.

• G1404 (δράκων • drakōn): This term refers to a dragon or large serpent and is used in the book of Revelation to symbolize Satan and his destructive influence, echoing the themes associated with פֶתֶן in the Old Testament.

Usage: The term פֶתֶן is used in the Hebrew Bible to refer to a specific type of venomous snake, often translated as "asp" in English. It is associated with danger and deceit due to its venomous nature.

Context: פֶתֶן (Pethen) is a Hebrew term used to describe a venomous serpent, commonly identified as an "asp" in English translations. This creature is noted for its deadly venom and is often used metaphorically in the Scriptures to symbolize treachery, danger, and the destructive power of sin.

In the Old Testament, פֶתֶן appears in several passages, illustrating its symbolic and literal significance:

• Deuteronomy 32:33 (BSB): "Their wine is the venom of serpents, the deadly poison of cobras." Here, פֶתֶן is used metaphorically to describe the harmful and intoxicating effects of Israel's enemies' influence, likening it to the venom of a deadly snake.

• Job 20:14, 16 (BSB): "Yet his food will sour in his stomach; it will become the venom of cobras within him... He will suck the poison of cobras; the fangs of a viper will kill him." In this passage, the imagery of פֶתֶן underscores the destructive consequences of wickedness and deceit.

• Psalm 58:4 (BSB): "Their venom is like the poison of a serpent, like a cobra that shuts its ears." The psalmist uses פֶתֶן to describe the malicious and unresponsive nature of the wicked, comparing their harmful words to the venom of a snake.

• Psalm 91:13 (BSB): "You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent." This verse uses פֶתֶן to symbolize the protection and victory granted by God over dangerous and evil forces.

פֶתֶן, therefore, serves as a powerful symbol in the biblical narrative, representing both physical danger and moral corruption. Its presence in the text highlights the need for divine protection and wisdom in overcoming the perils of sin and deceit.

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
(a venomous serpent) perhaps cobra
NASB Translation
cobra (3), cobras (3).

מֶּ֫תֶן noun masculine^{Psalm 68:5} a venomous serpent, perhaps cobra (פתן Ecclus 39:30; Aramaic מִּתְנָא, , whence perhaps Arabic ; — only in poetry: plural מְּתָנִים ראֹשׁ Deuteronomy 32:33 ("" חֲמַת תַּנִּינִם), Job 20:16, ׳מְרוֺרַת פ Job 20:14; singular מֶּ֫תֶן Psalm 91:13 ("" תַּנִּין), חֵרֵשׁ ׳פ Psalm 58:5, חֻר מָּ֑תֶן Isaiah 11:8.

adder

From an unused root meaning to twist; an asp (from its contortions) -- adder.

וָפֶ֣תֶן ופתן פְּתָנִ֖ים פְּתָנִ֣ים פְּתָנִ֥ים פֶ֥תֶן פָּ֑תֶן פתן פתנים Feten pā·ṯen Paten pāṯen pə·ṯā·nîm p̄e·ṯen petaNim pəṯānîm p̄eṯen vaFeten wā·p̄e·ṯen wāp̄eṯenInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts