"And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so, as Jehovah had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent." Exodus 7:10 ASV
<p>Illustration of Moses and Aaron standing before Pharaoh and his advisers. Aaron holds the tale of a serpent that used to be his rod. Moses stands next to him and gestures toward the serpent. Pharaoh, wearing a crown, holding a sceptre, and sitting on a throne, stares at the snake. His arm is outstretched. One of Pharaoh's servants gapes at the scene. Others stand behind him, befuddled. A doorway displays a pyramid and palm trees in the background.

Aaron's Rod Turning into a Serpent Before Pharaoh and His Magicians

"And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so, as Jehovah had commanded: and Aaron cast…

"So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden the Cherubim, and the flame of a sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." Genesis 3:24 ASV
<p>Illustration of Adam and Eve as they are sent away from the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life. Both are wearing animal skins and Adam is covering his face. Two angels, both holding swords, stand in front of a tree. A dog stands next to the angels.One angel points Adam and Eve away from the garden. The serpent is at Eve's feet with its mouth open. God is pictured looking down from the clouds. A small, oval image of Mary holding the baby Jesus is inset above Eve's head.

Adam and Eve are Punished and Cast Out of the Garden of Eden

"So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden the Cherubim, and the flame…

Greek god of medicine, the son of Apollo and the nymph Coronis.

Aesculapius

Greek god of medicine, the son of Apollo and the nymph Coronis.

Greek god of medicine, the son of Apollo and the nymph Coronis.

Aesculapius

Greek god of medicine, the son of Apollo and the nymph Coronis.

A small species of venemous serpent found in the European Alps.

Asp

A small species of venemous serpent found in the European Alps.

"A venomous serpent, the name of which has come down from ancient times; the vague descriptions of ancient authors, however, causing uncertainty as to the species. It is very generally supposed to be the Naja Haje, the El Haje or Haje Nasher of the Arabs, which is very common in Egypt and Cyprus, and often appears in hieroglyphic and other sculptures as one of the sacred animals of ancient Egypt." &mdash; Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Asp

"A venomous serpent, the name of which has come down from ancient times; the vague descriptions of ancient…

A legendary reptile reputed to be king of serpents and said to have power of causing death by a single glance.

Basilisk

A legendary reptile reputed to be king of serpents and said to have power of causing death by a single…

Illustration of the head of a bishop's staff, also called a crosier. The head is a serpent curled around another reptilian figure and a man with a staff. The serpent symbolizes that the bishop is responsible for the blood of his parish. The lower part is highly ornamented with vines, etc.

Bishop's Staff - Head with Serpent Design

Illustration of the head of a bishop's staff, also called a crosier. The head is a serpent curled around…

A black snake attacking a nest of brown thrushes.

Black Snake and Brown Thrushes

A black snake attacking a nest of brown thrushes.

"In popular language, the name of all those large serpents which kill their prey by entwining themselves around it, and constricting it in their coils; but by zoologists of the present day, limited as the name of a genus to a very small portion of their number, all of which are natives of the warm parts of America." &mdash; Chambers, 1881

Boa

"In popular language, the name of all those large serpents which kill their prey by entwining themselves…

Found in India, this species of bokadam is nonvenemous.

Karoo bokadam

Found in India, this species of bokadam is nonvenemous.

This Serpent antique bracelet is in the form of a viper. It came from Pompeii, Rome.

Antique Serpent Bracelet

This Serpent antique bracelet is in the form of a viper. It came from Pompeii, Rome.

"And Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, because we have spoken against Jehovah, and against thee; pray unto Jehovah, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a standard: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live." Numbers 21:6-8 ASV
<p>Illustration of Moses holding up the bronze serpent on the staff and all of the Israelites looking upon it to be healed. Numerous people lie in various states of disease. Snakes are on the ground, coiled around arms, and biting people. Moses is pictured with horns made of rays of light. Tents and mountains can be seen in the background.

The Brazen Serpent and the Healing of the Israelites

"And Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel…

This wood carving shows an arrangement of the vine in Gothic form. The center is Virgin and Child with a serpent right below them.

Wood Carving

This wood carving shows an arrangement of the vine in Gothic form. The center is Virgin and Child with…

The Serpent Cast a form created by both a viper and lizard. It was typically used for symbolic and decorative purposes, designed by Eberhard of Heilbronn in Germany.

Serpent Cast

The Serpent Cast a form created by both a viper and lizard. It was typically used for symbolic and decorative…

Serpent is a word of Latin origin, meaning something that creeps. It was typically used for symbolic and decorative purposes.

Serpent Cast

Serpent is a word of Latin origin, meaning something that creeps. It was typically used for symbolic…

"The boa constrictor grows to great size, and greatly resembles the python in its habits." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Boa constrictor

"The boa constrictor grows to great size, and greatly resembles the python in its habits." — Goodrich,…

The <I>Dipsas cyanodon</I> is a harmless tree snake, found in India.

Dipsas Cyanodon

The Dipsas cyanodon is a harmless tree snake, found in India.

"Cadmus and the Dragon. (From a vase-painting at Naples.)" &mdash; The Delphian Society, 1913

Cadmus and the Dragon

"Cadmus and the Dragon. (From a vase-painting at Naples.)" — The Delphian Society, 1913

"Common Eel (Anguilla vulgaris)."-Whitney, 1902

Common Eel

"Common Eel (Anguilla vulgaris)."-Whitney, 1902

"Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken." Genesis 3:23 KJV

Adam and Eve Driven out of the Garden of Eden

"Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was…

Its color is olive-gray or brown above, with black bands and spots, and checkered black and white beneath. The usual length is three feet. It is nearly related to the American water-snake, and haunts moist places, feeding on frogs, fish, and insects. The soft eggs are about one inch long, and are laid in manure heaps, in rich soil, or on heaps of weeds.

Grass Snake

Its color is olive-gray or brown above, with black bands and spots, and checkered black and white beneath.…

An African species of hooded snake, the asp has a deadly bite.

Naia Haje

An African species of hooded snake, the asp has a deadly bite.

The head of a snake.

Coluber Head

The head of a snake.

Heracles and Achelous.

Heracles and Achelous

Heracles and Achelous.

A hindu snake charmer.

Hindu juggler

A hindu snake charmer.

"Hygea and Aesculapius." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Hygea and Aesculapius

"Hygea and Aesculapius." —Bulfinch, 1897

Illustration of a King cobra, <i>Ophiophagus elaps</i>, also called a Shiva snake or Siva snake because it is worn by the Hindu Lord Shiva.
<p>"A book name of <i>Ophiophagus elaps</i>, a very large and deadly cobriform serpent of India; so called from its powers of destruction." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

King Cobra

Illustration of a King cobra, Ophiophagus elaps, also called a Shiva snake or Siva snake because it…

Found in India, the purple leptophis is violet and green, with a golden luster.

Purple leptophis

Found in India, the purple leptophis is violet and green, with a golden luster.

"The persecution which Latona experienced from Juno is alluded to in the story. The tradition was that the future mother of Apollo and Diana, flying from the wrath of Juno, besought all the islands of the Aegean to afford her a place of rest, but all feared too much the potent queen of heavan to assist her rival." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Leto or Latona

"The persecution which Latona experienced from Juno is alluded to in the story. The tradition was that…

Loki goes into Asgard with his daughter, Hela, and his pets, Jormundgand the serpent, and Fenris the wolf. The people of Asgard are afraid of Hela because one side of her body was black and one side was white. They were also afraid of the wolf and the serpent and had various plans to get rid of Hela, Jormundgand, and Fenris.

Loki and his Pets

Loki goes into Asgard with his daughter, Hela, and his pets, Jormundgand the serpent, and Fenris the…

Roman goddess of wisdom

Minerva

Roman goddess of wisdom

A statue of Minerva, with a serpent depicted at the goddesses' feet.

Minerva

A statue of Minerva, with a serpent depicted at the goddesses' feet.

A flock of mocking-birds attacking a rattlesnake in a tree, which was threatening a nest.

Mockingbirds Attacking a Rattlesnake

A flock of mocking-birds attacking a rattlesnake in a tree, which was threatening a nest.

An oriole attacking a serpent on a branch.

Oriole and serpent

An oriole attacking a serpent on a branch.

This is a print by German artist Johann Otmar in 1502 . It depicts St. Francis reading a bible outside between trees. In each corner of the print are symbols of the four Evangelists: top left, St. John represented by the eagle; top right, St. Mark represented by the lion; bottom left, St. Matthew represented by the winged man; and bottom right, St. Luke represented by the ox.

Johann Otmar

This is a print by German artist Johann Otmar in 1502 . It depicts St. Francis reading a bible outside…

Illustration of Saint Patrick on the shores of Ireland, with bishop's miter and crosier, and other clergy behind him. He is holding his hand in blessing over several men, women, and children. Women kneel on the ground, one with a basket of fish. A little boy and girl watch the saint. A boat can be seen on the water and mountains rise in the background. Snakes slither on the ground in front of Saint Patrick.

Saint Patrick Blesses the Irish and Banishes Snakes

Illustration of Saint Patrick on the shores of Ireland, with bishop's miter and crosier, and other clergy…

"Pythons are the largest known serpents, which are found only in India and the islands of the Indian Archipelago." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Python

"Pythons are the largest known serpents, which are found only in India and the islands of the Indian…

A female python guarding her clutch of eggs.

Python and eggs

A female python guarding her clutch of eggs.

Dissection of head of rattlesnake; showing fangs (f) and poison sac (p).

Rattlesnake

Dissection of head of rattlesnake; showing fangs (f) and poison sac (p).

A poisonous snake, known for using its "rattle" to warn off predators.

Rattlesnake

A poisonous snake, known for using its "rattle" to warn off predators.

"The common snake of Europe... frequents woods, bogs, and other sheltered situations in the vicinity of water." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Common ring-snake

"The common snake of Europe... frequents woods, bogs, and other sheltered situations in the vicinity…

The deliverer sculpture is a sequel to the faithful friend story by the sculptor. It shows the boy caressing the dog for saving his life from the serpent.

Deliverer Sculpture

The deliverer sculpture is a sequel to the faithful friend story by the sculptor. It shows the boy caressing…

The Faithful Friend Sculpture is a story told by the sculptor. It depicts a boy and his dog attacked by a serpent, and the faithful dog defends the boy by destroying the serpent.

Faithful Friend Sculpture

The Faithful Friend Sculpture is a story told by the sculptor. It depicts a boy and his dog attacked…

The bicolored sea-snake is found in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, especially in the vicinity of Tahiti.

Bicolored sea-snake

The bicolored sea-snake is found in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, especially in the vicinity of Tahiti.

The Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a bird of prey known for hunting snakes and other reptiles.

Secretary Bird

The Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a bird of prey known for hunting snakes and other reptiles.

The serpent is a bass wind instrument, curved to somewhat resemble a wriggling serpent.

Serpent

The serpent is a bass wind instrument, curved to somewhat resemble a wriggling serpent.

The serpent is "a musical instrument, properly of the trumpet family, having a cupped mouthpiece, a conical wooden tube bent to and fro several times and usually covered with leather, and nine fingerholes very irregularly disposed." -Whitney, 1911

Serpent

The serpent is "a musical instrument, properly of the trumpet family, having a cupped mouthpiece, a…

"The prey of a serpent is oven thicker than the serpent itself, and to admit of its being swallowed, the throat and body are very dilatable. The bones of the head are adapted to the necessity of a great expansion of the mouth and dilation of the throat." &mdash; Chambers, 1881

Serpent Head

"The prey of a serpent is oven thicker than the serpent itself, and to admit of its being swallowed,…

"Argent, a serpent nowed proper. NOWED. This word signifies tied or knotted, and is applied to serpents, wiverns, or any animals whose tails are twisted and enfolded like a knot." -Hall, 1862

Serpent Nowed Proper

"Argent, a serpent nowed proper. NOWED. This word signifies tied or knotted, and is applied to serpents,…

Miraculous escape from the royal serpent of Ceylon. Caption bellow illustration: "In dreadful anticipation of the worst, I looked around, when I saw a monstrous serpent of enormous size crawling slowly out of the opening I had just entered but a few minutes before."

Escape from the Serpent of Ceylon

Miraculous escape from the royal serpent of Ceylon. Caption bellow illustration: "In dreadful anticipation…

The skull of a serpent with visible teeth.

Serpent Skull

The skull of a serpent with visible teeth.

"And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived." Numbers 21:9 KJV

The Brazen Serpent

"And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had…

A cobra, or hooded serpent. This species can be found in India.

Hooded serpent

A cobra, or hooded serpent. This species can be found in India.

"A signet ring has a square revolving bezel on which are four serpents interlaced." &mdash;The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Signet Ring

"A signet ring has a square revolving bezel on which are four serpents interlaced." —The Encyclopedia…

Structure of internal anatomy of a snake.

Snake

Structure of internal anatomy of a snake.

A snake chasing a frog.

Snake and frog

A snake chasing a frog.

A girl amazed by the sight of a bicycle made out of a snake and spider-webs.

Snake Bike

A girl amazed by the sight of a bicycle made out of a snake and spider-webs.

A snake slithering on the ground.

Snake slithering

A snake slithering on the ground.

"Four to five feet long; color yellowishgray, cleaning with a pale golden hue, and dotted with whitish and black; native of Mexico." — -Goodrich, 1859

Golden Tree Snake

"Four to five feet long; color yellowishgray, cleaning with a pale golden hue, and dotted with whitish…