A species of serpent, more commonly called viper. The word adder is used five times in the Bible, as a translation of four different serpents of the venomous sort. In Genesis 49:17 , it seems to mean the cerastes, or horned viper, of the color of sand, and very deadly bite; accustomed to lie hidden in the tracks in the sand, and dart up on the unwary traveller. In Psalm 58:4 91:13 , it is probably the asp. In Psalm 140:3 perhaps the tarantula, or some serpent that strikes backwards. See SERPANT, VIPER.
Although written in 1859 by William Rand, this dictionary of the Bible from the American Tract Society is still relevant today.Wikipedia
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