probably from ὀπτάνομαι (through the idea of sharpness of vision); a snake, figuratively, (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan:--serpent.
Transliteration:óphis
Pronunciation:of'-is
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun ὄφις (óphis) primarily denotes a "snake" or "serpent" in its literal sense. Its proposed etymological root in ὀπτάνομαι (optanomai), meaning "to appear" or "to see," suggests a connection to the creature's keen eyesight or its sudden appearance. Beyond its literal zoological meaning, ὄφις carries significant figurative weight in the New Testament. It frequently symbolizes "sly cunning," "deception," or "malicious artfulness." Most notably, it serves as a direct personification of Satan, the ultimate adversary, especially in the book of Revelation. Thus, its semantic range extends from a natural creature to a profound theological symbol of evil and temptation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ὄφις appears numerous times in the New Testament, often with profound theological implications:
* In [[Matthew 10:16]], Jesus instructs His disciples to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves." Here, ὄφις represents a positive attribute of shrewdness or prudence, necessary for navigating a hostile world, rather than malice. This highlights a nuanced understanding of the term.
* [[John 3:14]] references the bronze serpent lifted up by Moses in the wilderness (cf. [[Numbers 21:9]]), stating, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up." This passage transforms the symbol of a serpent, which brought judgment, into a prefigurement of Christ's redemptive crucifixion, offering healing and eternal life.
* Paul alludes to the Genesis narrative in [[2 Corinthians 11:3]], warning against deception: "But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ." This verse clearly links ὄφις to the original act of temptation and deceit.
* The most significant and explicit identification of ὄφις with Satan occurs in the book of Revelation. In [[Revelation 12:9]], the "great dragon" is identified as "that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world." Similarly, [[Revelation 20:2]] states, "And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years." These passages unequivocally establish ὄφις as the primary biblical designation for the arch-enemy of God and humanity.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of ὄφις is enriched by examining its connections to other biblical terms and theological concepts:
* **Hebrew Counterpart:** The most direct Old Testament parallel is the Hebrew `{{H5175}}` (nachash), which is used in [[Genesis 3:1]] to describe the creature that tempted Eve. The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, consistently translates `{{H5175}}` as ὄφις, establishing a clear linguistic and theological continuity.
* **Figurative Language:** ὄφις is often associated with concepts like cunning, deceit, malice, temptation, and spiritual warfare.
* **Other Reptilian Terms:** While ὄφις is the general term for serpent, other related Greek words include `{{G2191}}` (echidna), meaning "viper," often used to describe a venomous snake or, figuratively, a malicious person (e.g., [[Matthew 3:7]]). The term `{{G1404}}` (drakōn), "dragon," is also closely linked in Revelation, where the dragon is explicitly identified as the "ancient serpent."
* **Adversary:** The serpent's role as the deceiver aligns with the broader concept of the "adversary," a role fulfilled by Satan in biblical theology.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ὄφις is profound and multifaceted:
* **Symbol of Cosmic Evil:** Predominantly, ὄφις functions as the quintessential symbol of evil, representing Satan and his deceptive, destructive work. Its appearance in Genesis marks the entry of sin into the world, and its ultimate defeat in Revelation signifies the triumph of God's kingdom.
* **The Origin of Sin and Temptation:** The Genesis narrative, echoed in the New Testament, establishes the serpent as the instrument through which humanity fell into sin, highlighting its role in temptation and rebellion against God.
* **Paradoxical Wisdom:** The command to be "wise as serpents" in [[Matthew 10:16]] introduces a paradox. While the serpent is the embodiment of evil, it also represents a form of worldly shrewdness or discernment that believers must possess to navigate a fallen world without compromising their innocence.
* **Redemptive Symbolism:** The lifting up of the serpent in the wilderness, as interpreted by Jesus in [[John 3:14]], is a powerful instance of typological fulfillment. What was initially a symbol of judgment and death becomes a prefigurement of Christ's atoning sacrifice, transforming a negative image into one of salvation and healing.
* **Eschatological Defeat:** The identification of the "ancient serpent" with Satan in Revelation underscores the certainty of his ultimate defeat and banishment. This provides a message of hope and assurance regarding God's final victory over evil.
### Summary
The Greek word ὄφις (óphis) literally means "serpent" or "snake." Its semantic range extends significantly into the figurative, primarily serving as a potent symbol of cunning, deception, and, most importantly, as a direct identifier for Satan, the "ancient serpent" of Revelation. While it can denote practical wisdom in some contexts (e.g., [[Matthew 10:16]]), its dominant theological role stems from its association with the Fall in Genesis, representing the source of temptation and cosmic evil. Paradoxically, it also functions as a redemptive type, foreshadowing Christ's crucifixion and the healing it brings ([[John 3:14]]). Ultimately, ὄφις encapsulates the biblical narrative of sin, temptation, and the assured eschatological triumph of God over the forces of darkness.
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