Basilisk
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Basilisk in the Bible?
While mentioned in later medieval traditions, the basilisk is not a biblical or ancient Near Eastern entity; however, it is often associated in later exegesis with the 'serpent' or 'dragon' motifs found in ancient texts.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the basilisk as a literary symbol of ultimate evil and death, rather than a biological entity, clarifies the hyperbolic language used in biblical texts to describe spiritual dangers and divine judgment.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Basilisk. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Basilisk in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Basilisk clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Basilisk." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/basilisk/