Ryan Francis asks: Hi. My question is, did Satan become a literal snake in Genesis? I think that Satan possessed the snake instead, since only God has creative power. Can you please explain your position?

Hi Ryan. All though many hold to those views, BRC does not. Those views completely ignore the metaphoric illustration given by Moses.

In Genesis, the reader is never told that Satan became a snake, nor that he possessed a snake. Instead, Moses presents the villain of the story using a simple personification that explains to the reader what Satan is like, rather than what he looks like (deceitful, conniving, liar, evil etc.) Take a look at his introduction:

Genesis 3:1- Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

This type of personification of Satan is consistently seen throughout the Bible. In Genesis 3:1, he is presented as the snake who tempted humanity to fall into a perpetual curse of sin. In Psalms 74:14, he is presented a multi-headed monster who God crushes. In Isaiah 27:1, he is presented as the coiling serpent, who opposes God. While in Revelation 20:1-2, he is presented as the ancient dragon, the epitome of evil.

In order to push the understanding of what we are saying even more, if we take a look at the illustration of the fall of Satan in the Bible, things become even more clear. Satan, once being a privileged Angel, rebelled against God. Now he is even lower than the livestock who at least have legs. Instead, Satan crawls on his belly and eats dust (“Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly, and you will eat dust all the days of your life" Genesis 3:14).

Just like Moses, Micha uses this same illustration of a serpent when referencing the nations that oppose God: "they will lick dust like a snake, like creatures that crawl in the Ground" (Micah 7:17).

This can also be seen in the very words of Jesus, when he told the Pharisees "You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." (Matthew 12:34). Jesus was not telling the readers that the Pharisees became literal snakes or possessed them, again, he was referencing what they were like. Not what they look like.

In this same manner, Genesis, paints a perfect picture of Satan, the deceiving, conniving, liar, who tempted Eve, in the same manner that he tempts us today. In her mind through temptation.

Lastly, it is always important to understand that when we read the Bible, we are reading literature. Therefore, the rules of interpretation are the same as in any other book. Therefore, if we are going to literalize the metaphoric language in Genesis 3, then Genesis 3:15, would present a huge problem. Literalizing this verse for example, could lead people to believe that Jesus triumphed over Satan by stomping on the head of a snake after being struck in the heel, rather than on the Cross.

Hope this helps. God bless you!

Historical note: Moses grew up within the Egyptian culture, where mythological gods were often believed to be real (Baal, Leviathan "the snake", Horus, Isis etc.). It is an archeological finding, that Moses, often wrote in a way that countered the Ugarit writings of his day. A writing style known as "Polemic".

Comments:

Ryan Francis: Ohh wow. I have many commentaries and have never read this view before. This is new to me. Thanks!

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Glad we can help Ryan. God bless you.

John Richards: The majority of commentaries I have ever read teach that the devil became a literal snake. Not that it was metaphoric language or that the devil possessed a snake.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Hi John, while there are many commentaries that teach what you are saying, many differ. However, we must rely on common sense, and the rules of interpretation, when reading any book including the Bible. If we were to hold that Satan materialized into a literal snake, we would need to question the entire Bible. The resurrection of Christ could have been fake, since Satan could have materialized and pretend to be the resurrected Christ.

John Richards: Well besides Genesis 3:15, everything else seems to be literal. If not how did both Adam and Eve talk to the snake?

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: John, can you please give us the verse where Adam spoke to, or about the snake? The text shows that Adam was with Eve, and when talking to God, he never mentioned anything about a snake.

Tyrell Tillis: I don't understand why it's so difficult for some to understand the metaphoric language. It's clear as day. In Genesis 2:17, Adam and Eve, were told that when they ate from the tree they would surely die. After they ate it, they didn't die. At least not immediately. It was metaphoric language explaining a reality. Same thing is seen throughout chapter three.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Hi Tyrell. That is true.

Carlos Rodriguez: John, I'd like to see that verse?

John Richards: Mistake Carlos. I Just read through it. Still seems literal. But I do see why BRC says what they do.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: This is a secondary issue that can be debated in a healthy manner and should not cause division.

John Richards: I agree, God bless you guys.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: God bless you, John.

Matthew 12:34

"You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."