Nehushtan
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Nehushtan in the Bible?
The brazen serpent made by Moses, which was broken and scornfully renamed 'Nehushtan' by Hezekiah, who sought to purify Israel's religion.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Nehushtan clarifies the biblical tension between divinely commanded symbols and the human tendency toward idolatry, illustrating Hezekiah's decisive reform against the syncretistic worship that had developed around the artifact.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Nehushtan were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Nehushtan in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Nehushtan clarify?
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
"Nehushtan." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/nehushtan/