Serpent, Crooked
TextsWhat is the meaning of Serpent, Crooked in the Bible?
The Hebrew phrase 'crooked serpent' (nachash bariach) in Job 26:13 and Isaiah 27:1 is traditionally identified with the constellation Draco near the north celestial pole, though modern translations often render the term as 'swift' or 'fleeing' to reflect the star's apparent motion.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this term as a reference to a specific constellation clarifies the ancient Near Eastern cosmological context of the biblical texts, revealing how the authors utilized observable celestial mechanics to metaphorically describe the Creator's sovereignty over the night sky.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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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.