The word nachash first appears in the third chapter of Genesis to describe the animal that was “more subtle” than all the creatures Yehovah had made. This animal, known in English as the serpent, deceived Chavah (Eve) into eating the forbidden fruit and, as a result, was cursed by the Creator.
However, from a Hebrew biblical worldview, the serpent is not described as a demonic being nor identified with Satan. In fact, neither Genesis 3 nor the rest of the Torah directly associates the serpent with an evil spiritual entity. That connection emerges much later, particularly in later Christian interpretations.
The Serpent as a Symbol of Power
If we move forward several millennia from the events in the Garden of Eden, we encounter the nachash again in a very different role. In Exodus 4:3 and 7:15, Mosheh (Moses) casts his staff to the ground, and it becomes a serpent as a sign of the Almighty’s power before Pharaoh. Here, the serpent does not represent evil but rather divine authority and prophetic confrontation.
According to Midrash Bereshit Rabbah 20:5, this creature possessed unique qualities: it walked upright and spoke. In many respects, it was unlike any other animal of the field. This suggests that its role in the biblical narrative is more complex than is often assumed.
A Symbol of Healing
Later, in Numbers 21:9, the nachash reappears as a symbol of healing for the people of Israel. After the Israelites were bitten by fiery serpents as a consequence of their rebellion, Yehovah instructed Mosheh to raise a bronze serpent (nachash nechoshet) upon a pole. Those who looked upon it in faith were healed.
The sages of Israel explained that the power of healing did not come from the image itself but from looking upward to the Creator. As Midrash Numbers Rabbah states:
The Holy One, blessed be He, did not need a serpent in order to heal, but He used that symbol to teach that healing comes from Him.
Midrash Numbers Rabbah 19:22
A Prophetic Picture of the Messiah
Yeshua Himself cited this event as a prophetic picture of His redemptive work. In John 3:14 He declared:
And as Mosheh lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.
Just as the bronze serpent was raised so that the people might look upon it in faith and live, Yeshua would also be lifted up—upon the tree—to bring healing and eternal life to those who trust in Him. Here, the serpent becomes a symbolic bridge between the physical healing of Israel and the spiritual healing offered to all humanity.
Satan or Adversary?
It is important to note that the Hebrew word satan simply means “adversary” or “opponent” and is not inherently a proper name. The text of Genesis never calls the serpent satan, nor does it present the serpent as the devil. The later identification of the serpent with Satan appears in Revelation 12:9, where reference is made to “the great dragon, that ancient serpent, called the Devil and Satan.”
However, this interpretation reflects a later theological development and is not part of the original Torah narrative. In the Hebrew tradition, symbols are fluid and may represent either judgment or redemption, depending on how the Creator chooses to employ them.
Conclusion
The figure of the nachash teaches us that Scripture does not always present symbols in absolute terms. A serpent may be subtle, deceptive, an instrument of judgment, or even a channel of healing, depending upon the context. When read through the lens of its original language and Hebrew culture, the Bible invites us to move beyond rigid dualistic interpretations and appreciate the richness of meaning that Yehovah reveals through His symbols.