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Asp

/ASP/

Summary

A venomous serpent mentioned in Scripture, probably the Egyptian cobra, used as a symbol of deadly poison.

☩Deadly Serpent

The asp (Hebrew pethen) was a highly venomous snake, probably the Egyptian cobra. Its venom was considered particularly deadly. Scripture uses it as a symbol of mortal danger and the deadly effects of sin. Moses described wickedness as being 'like the poison of a serpent, like the deaf asp that stoppeth her ear.' Paul quoted the psalmist saying, 'The poison of asps is under their lips,' to describe human depravity.

Key verses:Deuteronomy 32:33Psalm 58:4Romans 3:13

☩Messianic Prophecy

Isaiah's vision of the peaceable kingdom includes the image of a child safely playing near the asp's hole, indicating the complete transformation of the natural order in the Messianic age when hostility and danger will be removed.

Key verses:Isaiah 11:8

Related Verses8 mentions

Job· 2 verses

20:1420:16

Isaiah· 2 verses

11:811:9

Deuteronomy· 1 verse

32:33

Romans· 1 verse

3:13

See Also

The Animals Entering Noah's Ark, oil on canvas painting by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione called Il Grechetto
Animals

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Asp," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.James Orr (ed.), "Asp," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).