Snake (נָחָשׁ, A.V. "serpent"), a creature found in Palestine (Robinson saw some there six feet long [Bibl. Res. 2, 154]), but still more abundantly in the neighboring countries, especially Egypt (Ammian. Marcell. 22, 15; p. 324 ed. Bip.) and Arabia (Herod. 2, 75; 3, 109; Aelian, Anim. 2, 38; Strabo, 16, 759, 778; Diod. Sic. 3, 47; Agatharc. in Phot. Cod. 250, p. 1376; comp. Nu 21:6 sq.; Isa 30:6; see Prosp. Alpin. Rer. AEgypt. 4, 4; Burckhardt, Trav. 2, 814; Tischendorf, Reise, 1, 261; Russell, Aleppo, 2, 120 sq.; Schubert, 3, 120; Forskal, Descr. Anim. p. 13 sq.); sometimes in the deserts, frequently of poisonous species. They belonged to unclean animals according to the Mosaic classification (Le 11:10,41 sq.). The scientific investigation of the different species in the East is not sufficiently accurate to enable us to determine with any certainty the various kinds mentioned in Scripture. SEE SERPENT.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More