The aversion and hatred of serpents by mankind is a theme that finds its roots deeply embedded in the biblical narrative. This antipathy is not merely a cultural or instinctual phenomenon but is profoundly theological, tracing back to the earliest chapters of the Bible.

The Fall and the Serpent's Role

The foundational event that shapes humanity's view of serpents is the account of the Fall in Genesis. The serpent is introduced as a cunning creature, more subtle than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made (Genesis 3:1). It is through the serpent's deception that sin enters the world, leading to the fall of Adam and Eve. The serpent's role in this pivotal event establishes it as a symbol of deceit and enmity against God and His creation.

Divine Judgment and Enmity

Following the Fall, God pronounces a curse upon the serpent, which further cements its negative symbolism. In Genesis 3:14-15 , the LORD God says to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and every beast of the field! On your belly you will go, and dust you will eat all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." This passage not only explains the physical aversion to serpents but also introduces a spiritual enmity that is prophetic of the ultimate victory of Christ over Satan.

Symbol of Evil and Deception

Throughout Scripture, serpents continue to symbolize evil and deception. In the wilderness, the Israelites' encounter with fiery serpents serves as a divine judgment for their rebellion (Numbers 21:6). The bronze serpent, however, becomes a symbol of salvation when Moses lifts it up for the people to look upon and be healed (Numbers 21:8-9), prefiguring Christ's crucifixion (John 3:14-15).

New Testament References

In the New Testament, serpents are often used metaphorically to describe deceitful and malicious behavior. Jesus Himself uses the imagery of serpents to describe the Pharisees, calling them a "brood of vipers" (Matthew 23:33), highlighting their hypocrisy and evil intentions. Furthermore, in Revelation, the serpent is explicitly identified with Satan, the great deceiver of the world (Revelation 12:9).

Human Aversion and Spiritual Warfare

The aversion to serpents is not only physical but also spiritual, representing the ongoing battle between good and evil. Believers are called to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16), indicating the need for discernment in a world where deception is rampant. The ultimate defeat of the serpent, as foretold in Genesis, is realized in the victory of Christ, who crushes the head of the serpent, symbolizing the triumph over sin and death.

In summary, the biblical portrayal of serpents as objects of aversion and hatred is deeply rooted in their association with sin, deception, and enmity against God. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, underscoring the spiritual conflict that defines the human experience and the hope of redemption through Christ.Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of Evil-Speaking in General.
... calleth them an "evil and adulterous generation, serpents, and children ... all honest,
all ingenuous persons have an aversion from ill ... The good man, in Psalm 15. ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/of evil-speaking in general.htm

The Saints' Rest is not to be Expected on Earth.
... have fixed their rest in the wilderness, among serpents, and enemies ... we think to
find that which never man could find ... O the cursed aversion of our souls from God ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter x the saints rest.htm

The Fourth Book
... then the measure of your fathers, ye serpents, ye generation ... of the apostle to every
Christian man were most ... any act could better arouse his aversion and horror ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the fourth book.htm

part i
... priest is an angel and not a man; everything worldly ... everything irritates it, it
feels an aversion to every ... therefore we feel a deep, deadly hatred towards them ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm

part ii
... Sins are"secret serpents, gnawing at the heart of a man and all ... "If any man love
the ... no love for God and their neighbour, but unbelief, despair, and hatred. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... receive it at the hand of God, when the day shall come that every man shall have ...
of love: and the contrary a sign of bastardy, and a token of hatred (Hebrews 12 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

What does it mean to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16)? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about snakes? Are snakes evil? | GotQuestions.org

Why did John the Baptist refer to the Pharisees as a brood of vipers? | GotQuestions.org

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