Brazen Serpent
Summary
A bronze serpent made by Moses and raised on a pole, which healed Israelites bitten by venomous snakes, serving as a type of Christ.
☩Historical Event
When the Israelites were punished with venomous serpents for their complaints in the wilderness, God commanded Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Anyone who was bitten could look at it and live. This serpent was later called 'Nehushtan' when it became an object of idolatrous worship and was destroyed by King Hezekiah.
☩Typological Significance
Jesus identified the brazen serpent as a type of His own crucifixion, saying 'As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.' Just as looking in faith brought physical healing, so believing in the crucified Christ brings spiritual salvation.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Brazen Serpent," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Brazen Serpent," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).