SERPENT WORSHIP.) (2) "Winged Serpents," The supposed winged serpent which appears to be alluded to in 'the fiery flying serpent' of Isaiah (xiv ; xxx:6), although the term is thought by some to be a fig urative one (see SERPENT, FIERY), seems, as well as the 'adder,' to have been probably one of the more eastern species or varieties, which have the faculty of actually distending the hood, as if they had wings at the side of the head, and are the same as, or nearly allied to, the well-known spec tacle snake of India.
(3) The Leffah, though little more than a foot long, regarded by Shaw at least as the most for midable serpent of Northern Africa, may be the Ephoeh, Arabic Epha, and Persian Mar-iefy; but as there is some difference in dimensions and markings, as well as a still greater extent of region assigned to these, more than one species of viper is most likely included in the above names. But that the Ephoeh is a name of most ancient date is plain from its being employed in Job xx :16 and Is. xxx :6; while under the form of `viper,'.it oc curs in the New Testament (Matt. Iii :7; xii:34; xxiii:33; Luke iii:7; and Acts xxviii:3).
(4) Pethen (Dent. xxxii :33; Job xx:14, 16; Ps. lviii :4; xci :13; Is. xi :8) is more properly the Bzetan of Forskal ; the Coluber (vipera) Lebe tina of Linn. and by him characterized as one foot in length, the body spotted with black and white, and oviparous ( ?), though excessively poisonous.
This is usually regarded as the 'asp' of the an cients, and the deaf adder of Ps. lviii :4, 5. This is uncertain ; and it may be remarked that the so called 'deaf adder' is not without hearing, but is only not obedient to the musical notes of the ser pent charmers.
(5) Tzimmaon (Dcut. viii :15) appears to be the 'Drought' of some versions, so called because of the intolerable thirst occasioned by its bite. If this translation be correct, it will form in modern nomenclature one of the genus Hurria, and sub genus Dipsas or Bongarus. But no species of this division of snakes has yet been found in Western Asia.
(8) Another Serpent mentioned in Scripture is the tciphoni, translated 'cockatrice' in Prov. xxiii :32, and Is. xi :8. This is an indefinite Eng lish name, which belongs to no identified serpent, and now appears only in the works of ancient compilers and heralds, where it is figured with a crest, though there is no really crested or frilled species known to exist in the whole Ophidian or der. There are, however, two very distinct species
of horned serpents in Egypt and Northern Af rica, probably extending to Syria and Arabia. They are of different genera ; for the Cerastes, supposed to be (7) The Shef-ee-fone' (ltsr* of the Bible is a viper with two scales on the head, one above each eye, standing erect somewhat in the form of horns. This is a dangerous species, usually burrowing in sand near the holes of jerboas, and occasionally in the cattle paths ; for there are now few or no ruts of cart wheels, whereas it is related they used to conceal themselves to assault unwary passers. It is still common in Egypt and Arabia.
Figurative. (I) Satan seduced our first par ents, and for that, as well as his craft, malice, and ruinous influence, is called the old serpent (Gen. iii ; Rev. xx :2). (2) Saints are charged to be wise as serpents; they are to put off their old man, and vain conversation; are to be daily re newed in the spirit of their minds (Matt. x :16).
(3) The malice of the wicked is compared to the "poison of the serpent" (Ps. lviii :4 ; comp. cxl :3).
(4) The poisonous bite of the serpent is a figure of the baneful influence of wine (Prov. xxiii :31, 32). (5) Unexpected evil is like the bite of a serpent lurking in a wall (Eccles. x :8), and a "babbler" like an uncharmed serpent, which bites (x :it). (6) Enemies like the Chaldxans, who harass and destroy, are compared to serpents (Is. xiv :29 ; Jer. viii :17). (7) The voice of discom fited Egypt is likened to serpents roused from their lair by the woodman (Jer. xlvi :22). Ser pents and scorpions are put for things extremely dangerous (Luke x :to). King Uzziah and Hez ekiah are likened to serpents, because they terribly harassed and destroyed the Philistines xiv : 2g). (8) The brazen serpent prefigured Jesus as assuming the likeness of sinful flesh, and being lifted up on the cross, and in the gospel, that we, stung by sin, looking to him by faith, may be come whole (Num. xxi ; John iii 34-16).