When did the Serpent Become SATAN? [Genesis 3]

Does the Devil feature in the Garden of Eden Story? Is the serpent actually Satan? In this video we explore how and when the snake in Genesis 3 came to be associated with the Devil.
We'll look at all the serpent passages: Genesis 3 15, Romans 16 20, Luke 10 18-19 and Revelation 20 2 as well as explore the ancient world's relationship with snakes.
Sources and further reading (Special thanks also to the contributors on r/AcademicBiblical for some of these secondary sources.)
- Elaine Pagels (1995) The origin of Satan amzn.to/3PBAIpC
- Elaine Pagels (2005) Adam, Eve, and the Serpent amzn.to/3OAe67t
- Shinan Avigdor (2012) From Gods to God - How the Bible Debunked, Suppressed, or Changed Ancient Myths and Legends - amzn.to/3PVT84c
- James Kugel (2007) How To Read the Bible - amzn.to/3bcZ35Y
- www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/bible-interpretation/how-the-serpent-became-satan/
- James Charlesworth’s (2010) The good and evil serpent.
- Jason Zurawsk (2012) Separating the Devil from the Diabolos: A Fresh Reading of Wisdom of Solomon
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This channel is now known as Tablets and Temples, unpacking ancient history and religion. Formerly known as Bible Unboxed.
Why Satan is NOT in the Old Testament: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jamWioWHg9qfotE
0:00 - Introduction
0:41 - Snakes in Ancient Mythology
1:55 - Purpose of a snake in Genesis
3:22 - Did the writers of Genesis know of Satan?
3:55 - Serpents in the New Testament
6:56 - The Serpent in Jewish writings
9:24 - Justin Martyr's view of the Serpent
9:58 - Other historical views
10:51 - Summary
On the interpretation of the Romans and Luke passages:
- Derek R. Brown (2010) The God of Peace Will Shortly Crush Satan Under Your Feet: Paul’s Eschatological Reminder in Romans 16 20A
- Helge Ask (2020) Satanology in Pauline Theology: An Exegetical Study of 2 Corinthians 12:7 and Romans 16 20
On the Ancient Serpent being Leviathan:
- John Day (2000) Yahweh and the Gods and Goddesses of Canaan
- Mark S. Smith (2001) Origins of Biblical Monotheism
r/academicbiblical, the devil in Genesis, snake in genesis, serpent in genesis, satan in Genesis, adam and eve, garden of eden, satan in the garden of eden, the devil in the garden of eden, genesis 3 15, Revelation 20 2, ancient serpent, adapa and the south wind, Tale of a shipwrecked sailor, who was the serpent in the garden of eden, snake devil, dan mcclellan serpent, kipp davis genesis 2-3, religion for breakfast adam and eve, mythvision adam and eve, gilgamesh snake

[@TabletsAndTemples]

If you step on a snake they'll throw a hissy fit 🐍

[@Ubu987]

Fangs very much for that joke!

[@chimuoma390]

@@Ubu987 PIT VIPERS!THE PIT OF HELL!

[@wannabe_scholar82]

I don't know if you'll see this comment but if you do I just want to say that it's really amazing that there's a channel that teaches scripture in its context and without having to jump through loops of ideas to make things fit and ontop of that the animations and humor in these videos is amazing and honestly this channel is very underrated and deserves so much more attention but please keep making these videos they are amazing and thank you 👍🏽

[@TabletsAndTemples]

Thank you, I do try to read all the comments. I appreciate the support, I will do my best to keep putting out quality content!

[@yogi19581]

It's pretty obvious the serpent can't be satan, God cursed the serpent to crawl on its belly, genesis, but the first time satan gets a mention is in the book of job where God asks satan where have you been! Satan replies WALKING about the earth, not crawling?

[@leadnsteel1428]

I dont know what to think about all this all i know is im getting tired of this life.

[@justingoble4980]

Excellent video. Really appreciated your analysis here. Always heard that the serpent was Satan as though it was a fact. Really interesting to see that, as always, things are much more complicated

[@TabletsAndTemples]

Thanks Justin, glad you found it interesting!

[@Job_Siciliano]

If the serpent could speak, could all the other animals speak? 🤔

[@mnageh-bo1mm]

Amazing Video , Great cover up in other mythologies.... that's how you cover a topic 💯💯

[@TabletsAndTemples]

Thank you! Glad you liked it

[@mustachemac5229]

You make a good Justin lol. Thanks for the video. I always wondered what the serpent might have looked like prior to the curse that God put upon it. A walking, talking, flying snake sounds horrifying.

[@TabletsAndTemples]

I'd be fascinated to know the reason the old church fathers were depicted in such strange poses.

[@Sauce_0]

After Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, their punishment was leaving the garden *and* (I think) having woman feel *pain* once giving birth

[@theancientsam]

i wonder if he has a video about jesus and the trinity and how its not even in the bible

[@Gray_lemoncx]

So interesting!

[@InquisitiveBible]

Trogdor! That brings back some memories.

[@MPHJackson7]

Surprised that you mentioned the Seraphim Seals, without bringing up how the serpent may have been a Seraph (as Michael Heiser posits).

[@TabletsAndTemples]

In my section on the Jewish serpent mythology I did mention that the Genesis story may have been written to explain how the winged armed serpents lost their limbs and now crawl on their bellies as well as to curb any divine serpent worship. I didn't outright call the serpent in Genesis a Seraph because the author of Genesis doesn't - he calls it from the begining a nahas (nachash) - which is more generally a regular serpent.

[@nonelost1]

Was it “God”(Gen 1)who cast out our first parents out of the garden of Eden? Or was it the “LORD God”(Gen 2,3) who threw them out? So what is the relationship between the God of Genesis 1 and the Lord God of Genesis 2 and 3?

[@TabletsAndTemples]

Great question, it's generally accepted that Genesis 1 is from the Priestly school who preferred Elohim when naming God. Genesis 2-3 is traditionally attributed to the Jahwist. So two different traditions have been put next to each other when Genesis was edited together. So they are referring to the same deity, Israel's God, but the two traditions are not from the same author, and probably from different time periods.

[@rosdavis8792]

So that tells us potentially who the snake wasn't. But who was the snake then?

[@TabletsAndTemples]

Just a talking serpent.

[@HappyPrometheus]

What an excellent presentation and how sad is that videos which promote the Christian literal interpretation have millions of views while your just 4k. There is so much ignorance in this world

[@TabletsAndTemples]

Thanks for watching! Glad you found it helpful. One day we'll figure out the all powerful algorithm. Until then sharing the videos is the best way to help us grow :)

[@efreshwater5]

Isn't an alternate definition of nachash (serpent) "shining one?" Or am I confusing my Hebrew...

[@TabletsAndTemples]

Just had a look, and yes there is a connection with Nachash and bronze. Though "shining one" is probably not a good translation of the Hebrew. In 1 Chronicles 4:12 the Ir-Nachash is the city of bronze. See also nechosheth, "bronze" in Daniel 10:6.

[@js1423]

@@TabletsAndTemples I think Evan tries bring Michael Heiser's view on the "shining one" being a seraphim/cherubin of YHWH's divine council who rebelled. Ben Stanhope made a video about the serpent called "Why the Villain of Eden was a Serpent". Heiser overall sees that there is an unseen war between YHWH and the gods of the nations, who are the rebellious members of the divine council (the sons of God in Genesis 6, the gods of Egypt in Exodus and the princes of Persia and Greece in Daniel)

[@fireee5488]

The Lord also doesn't care for man's scientific categories/terminologies. The Lord has his own categories of how He deems His creatures. Satan can be in the same class of serpents/reptiles/cherub(ox/cattle).... Which is why Satan is known to be a red figure with a serpentine tail and two horns like an ox.

[@mnageh-bo1mm]

short answer : no the whole story is allegorical just like the rest of the bible Reasons : well if satan was the snake , then why did god curse an actual snake ? satan was already in hell so... this would be utterly meaninglessness

[@mustachemac5229]

It is confusing because in the Book of Job, Satan is portrayed as walking and talking with God. No belly crawling.

[@australianandrew128]

Satan isn't in hell yet as he is supposed to be still prowling around like a lion devouring folk. (1 Peter 5:8) Even g0d can't get him into his carpenter built eternal fiery internally heated apartment

[@mnageh-bo1mm]

@@australianandrew128 Nope mate , satan was in hell the moment he revolted against god

[@australianandrew128]

@@mnageh-bo1mm So why does your unsupported claim contradict so much of scripture? What actual references do you have that Satan is actually IN hell. Given that Hell was supposedly only constructed/prepared (Matthew 25:41) when Jesus appeared. Be that Gehenna or Hades 2 Peter 2:Speaks of the Greek Tartarus. The only time mentioned in Scripture. Sheol was the OT version of being sent back into the dust from where man came. Spirits are documented as returning from Sheol 1 Samuel 28:7-24. I appreciate you are trying to understand but Read Scripture for yourself unfettered by another's opinion. Don't just soak up material fed to you by bible studies and sermons. I can only suggest you go to the source. And while you are at it explain to me why in Revelation 6:8 it says hell is like a caravan being towed behind Binky (Death's pale horse). But I doubt satan is there yet cause he is still prowling around like a lion (1 Peter 5:8) when he is not in council with g0d (Job 1:6)

[@hopefullcompatriot5394]

Well one the snake was probably possesd and at that point t no he ain't in hell Even now he is not

[@rosdavis8792]

Also how would the Hebrew writers been aware of those other stories form other cultures without benefit of the internet?

[@TabletsAndTemples]

The major parallel stories come from Israel's neighbours, Babylon and Egypt. Historically, Israel were exiled by the Assyrians and then Babylonians. It's highly likely that the literate Israelites would have become familiar with stories like Gilgamesh during exile. There were also Diaspora communities living in Egypt. So there is plenty of historical crossover.

[@diansc7322]

@@TabletsAndTemples also that Egypt controlled the land of Canaan for centuries, so the motifs would remain in culture

[@jonnyblaze2692]

There was heavy trade and exchange of ideas from the Mediterranean to the far east. Stories easily passed by word of mouth.

[@johnsantos1348]

Snake is a representation of just Evil Person(s)

[@ZachFish-]

Isn’t the satan and the devil supposed to be plural

[@TabletsAndTemples]

How so?

[@ZachFish-]

@@TabletsAndTemples Idk, I thought the Bible project said something like “in the original translations it was ‘the satan’” or something like that. And each instance it would be meaning some sort of fallen angel. I don’t remember exactly, but it’s “the satan and demon” video, and I think they have a longer video about it, I was just wondering if that has anything to do with this.

[@TabletsAndTemples]

@@ZachFish- Yes it's "the satan" in Job. In Job and Zechariah and possibly Chronicles, there appears to be this angelic figure "the satan" which translates literally to "the accuser" (or adversary, but accuser is probably better given the court settings). The accuser as we learn in the Psalms like 109:6 was kind of like a prosecutor whose job was to seek a guilty verdict. So in the Old Testament "the satan" works for God - rather than being an opponent, he's an employee.

[@ZachFish-]

@@TabletsAndTemples Hm, interesting. I’ll have to learn more about that topic

[@TabletsAndTemples]

@@ZachFish- You might find this video we did a good start kzbin.info/www/bejne/jamWioWHg9qfotE Also if you're a reader check out Elaine Pagel's The Origin of Satan.

[@each1-teach1]

1) the hebrew word "nekasch" is transliterated "snake" or 'serpent" but is equal to the hindi word nagas meaning "serpentine" (or serpent-man) 2) scripture tells us this "serpent" was [wiser than any other creature in God's garden and can talk] Genesis 3:1 - so this is no ordinary snake is it? 3) satan is mentioned and explained in OT as "mans opponent" in Job written before genesis. narrator is in error to claim satan as a NT construct. 4) if this satan is a diametrical opposite of God and God makes us in His image - did satan make a "serpentine-man" in his evil image? 5) if (4) is true, was it this serpentine-man eve encountered and that the hindu's/janist and other ancient cults worshipped?? 6) research "troodon" a modern scientific word and selurian theory; academics give serious thought to the idea of evolved reptiles hiding on earth. 7) if we are bible believers and we believe satans exists and we believe him to be an elohim and we know elohim had physical bodes...what was the nature of satans physical body? 8) would not a serpent, or serpentine-man be a relative [or son] of a dragon? - as we are children of God?? 9) when the [obedient] elohim said "let us make man in our image" [gen 1:26] does this suggest they were in a race to develop a "man" to counteract a rival project? 10) who were the inhabitants of Nod? - was Nod a rival to Eden?? 11) "on your belly you shall go" [gen 3:1-15) is a lowering/levelling of the nekasch to check their development and prevent their dominance of adams rightful realm 12) nekasch is an agency of satan as angels are an agency of God

[@jrfrom617]

This is wrong. The King James Bible calls Satan that “OLD” serpent. No where is such a title given to anyone else in the Bible. Also, in John 8:44 KJV. Jesus is talking about the Genesis account when the serpent actually lies to Eve and causes her to die. Read that verse!

[@TabletsAndTemples]

Jesus doesn't mention Eve in John 8

[@australianandrew128]

In Luke 11 and Matthew 7 Human fathers, who by nature are wicked, when a child asks for food will give that child a snake? Evil fathers know better. Compared what the father in heaven would do to his children when they ask for food. "Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died." Numbers 21:5-6 Since all g0d's creations were 'good'; earlier Eve was peckish and g0d send a snake to her. g0ds been giving snakes for ages Exodus 4:3 He loves giving snakes Jeremiah 8:17 “See, I will send venomous snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you,” declares the Lord. Malachi 3:6 I the Lord do not change.

[@australianandrew128]

​The word "serpent" is likewise used in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 11:3) in describing this same account in (Genesis 3); and also by Christ in describing the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:33). In both cases the Greek word "OPHIS" is translated "serpents" and means: "a snake figuratively, an artful malicious person.” Both the "serpent" in Eden and the Pharisees were cunning and malicious persons, not literal physical snakes. ​

[@hopefullcompatriot5394]

One what context did God send the snakes and what context did Jesus say that the isrealites literally seing God went against him while looking directly at his presence with no doubt of his existence and went against him, that isninnit of itself deserving death for such blatantly disregard for God when he has done all that for them and thenntheynmakeba covenant vownto follow his laws then break it many times whilst he's there, they where in opposition in that point Jesus is talking of those who seek him. Dint take scripture out of context

[@qiankundanuoyi1]

TOGETHAAAAAAA

[@theancientsam]

"the devil convinced the snake to do it..." whats the evidence? did i miss something

[@TabletsAndTemples]

I'm not sure what you mean, that's something found in extra-Biblical Jewish writings.

[@theancientsam]

@@TabletsAndTemples hey man, you said it, not me

[@TabletsAndTemples]

@@theancientsam but in the context of the video I'm just explaining that its an idea that comes from extra-biblical Jewish writing, so I don't understand your question.

[@theancientsam]

@@TabletsAndTemples ahhh okay i see. my bad man i missed that somehow. i thought you were getting that from the bible or something

[@PowerfulRift]

This channel is called bible unboxed yet your taking those verses out of context and twisting gods word!

[@TabletsAndTemples]

*you're

[@brandonloaiza8595]

What's the context then dude you tell me cause homeboy gave a whole explanation lol

[@theIastgeneration]

@@brandonloaiza8595 well let scripture answer it _Revelation 12_ *9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.* _Revelation 20_ *2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,* Who is this "old" serpent then when its not the devil and satan and the dragon? Genesis 3,15? Better dont look for others to interpret their hocus pocus into the HOLY WORDS OF YESHUA Ask HIM directly May the grace of YESHUA be with all

[@jayb5596]

To understand this you need to realize serpent in the bible represents the subconscious neurology of the soul. It has no heart driving the consciousness which makes it a host with knowledge and power but no wisdom to know what to do with it. Bereshit - Genesis - Chapter 1 27And God created man in His image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God created man in His image;

[@sherrelly8845]

The Serpent In Eden Is The Iguana Which Is Able To Eat The Poisonous Machineel Apple AKA Forbidden Fruit Dummy

[@TabletsAndTemples]

Interesting, but since Machineel doesn't grow in the Mesopotamian region where the authors were from, I doubt it.

[@sherrelly8845]

@@TabletsAndTemples Biblical Corn 1. Pharoah Dreamed Of Cornstalks 2. David Took Parchments Of Corn To His Brother's Camp Against The Philistines 3. Messiah Plucked Corn THAT DIDN'T REACH THE MIDDLE EAST AFRICA ARABIA UNTIL AFTER 1500S THEREFORE THE ORIGINAL AUTHORS AINT FOM OVER THERE Messiah Said You Shall Know Them/The Land By Their Literal Fruit(MENTIONED IN THE SCRIPTURES) NOT DEEDS

[@TabletsAndTemples]

I assume you're reading the KJV, understandably there is some confusion. The word "corn" in the KJV does not refer to sweetcorn or flint, both types of maize. The KJV was written in Early Modern English, and the word "corn" refers to grain. What's why in John 12:24 you have the phrase "a corn of wheat" = grain. In the original Hebrew it's also 100% grain, not corn.

[@sherrelly8845]

@@TabletsAndTemples Don't Confuse Teosinte AKA Maize AKA Corn With Wheat Because The Scriptures Will Bust You're ??? Scriptures Say Messiah Plucked Original To South America Corn Scriptures Say He Ate Them Straight From The Stalk. Which Cannot Be Done With Wheat a. Because Of The Bacteria AKA Pathogens That Grow On Wheat b. Which Must Be Soaked/Cooked Before Consumption c. Because Consuming Raw Wheat Cause Sickness/Death You're Indoctrination Showing The Americas Is Biblical Lands And You Should Know That By The Fruits Veges Shrubs Herbs Plants Trees Animals Stones Metals Bodies Of Water Mountains Etc.Etc.Etc Mentioned Therein Which Were Non-Existent Elsewhere In The World Before The Invasion Of 1492 Get Your Head Out Your ??? And Do Some Research See: Chief Moreh's Migration 1-5 See: Kurimeo's Truth Of Ancient America Pt 10 Get It Together You Need To Pack A Lunch When Challenging Truth Co

[@sherrelly8845]

@@TabletsAndTemples Flint Is Actually A Stone That Exists Only In The Americas And Is Mentioned The Scriptures

[@davidclark6694]

Here we go again with another secularist attempt to non shalantly dismiss the validity and origin of the Tanakah by statements such as "the author of Genesis was familiar with other tales". And "the writers of genesis". Nice attempt to push the "jdep theory".

[@TabletsAndTemples]

The vast majority of scholars agree Genesis is a composite work written by multiple authors. You don't have to agree with JDEP to accept that Genesis is a composite work. It's also a certainty that Judean authors would have been familiar with tales like Gilgamesh, particularly after exile.

[@davidclark6694]

@BibleUnboxed the mass majority of scholars you speak of are Atheists and agnostics. It's a theory without any evidence. Nice try, but try harder pushing your secularism. The comeuppance is coming in 2030. Remember your choice.

[@TabletsAndTemples]

Wow I didn't realise evangelical Christians Victor P Hamilton and John Walton were secretly an atheists. There's plenty of evidence. For starters it was pretty commonplace in the ancient world. Many significant religious/political texts underwent editing and new editions, including Enuma Elish and Gilgamesh. We know it happened with the Bible too, in fact we even have multiple editions of Esther and Jeremiah with quite significant differences. The fact is scribes made changes to texts, even religiopolitical ones. It wasn't unusual.

[@davidclark6694]

@BibleUnboxed I'm a hebrew who knows my culture and language quite well. I don't need you history lesson and 2 evangelical scholars is a fraction of your statement "majority of scholars". Like I said it's a nice try, but it's a failed attempt. Remember your choice because the sabbath is fast approaching. And there's not plenty of evidence for your position because you and others including those 2 "christians" don't know Hebrew.

[@TabletsAndTemples]

I'm just laying out the facts and data.

[@TruthSpeaker.]

I think the serpent represents God but the Bible misrepresents it.

[@brandonloaiza8595]

That is a very plausible concept wow lol dude xD

[@CultOfSol777]

Or god was testing both of them if they are ready to eat from the tree of life which is inside us. They rather chose the tree of knowledge and fell into our 3D realm where we as humans are trapped to this day. The knowledge of lust and knowledge of pain and agony, good and evil we are in today. But everyone can enter the garden because the garden starts in your own self! But most people chose to stay away from the garden and continue to taste the fruits of this mortal material life! Humans now are trapped in lust, drugs, alcohol and other low vibrational stuff that keeps them at a low level so they won´t enter the garden to enslave them. The garden is all inside of us allready, we just have to see through all the lies that control our reality!

[@WhatYourPastorDidntTellYou]

Okay but what is the evidence for your view?