from an unused root meaning to twist; an asp (from its contortions); adder.
Transliteration:pethen
Pronunciation:peh'-then
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word פֶּתֶן (pethen, `{{H6620}}`) derives from an unused root that conveys the idea of "twisting" or "contorting." This etymology aptly describes the characteristic movement of a snake. In biblical usage, pethen specifically refers to a highly venomous serpent, commonly identified as an asp or cobra. Its semantic range emphasizes the creature's dangerous, often lethal, nature due to its potent venom. Unlike more general terms for snakes like `{{H5175}}` nachash, pethen consistently denotes a particularly deadly species, highlighting its capacity for swift and fatal harm.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word pethen appears six times in the Hebrew Bible, each instance contributing to its symbolic weight:
* **[[Deuteronomy 32:33]]**: "Their wine is the venom of serpents, and the cruel poison of asps." Here, pethen is used metaphorically to describe the destructive and morally corrupting nature of the enemies of Israel, whose "wine" (representing their doctrines, actions, or way of life) is as deadly as snake venom. It underscores the severity of divine judgment against wickedness.
* **[[Job 20:14]]**: "Yet his food in his stomach turns into the venom of cobras within him."
* **[[Job 20:16]]**: "He will suck the poison of cobras; the viper's tongue will slay him." In these verses from Job, pethen (often translated as cobra or asp) is part of a vivid poetic description of the consequences of ill-gotten gain and injustice. The poison symbolizes the internal corruption and ultimate destruction that consumes the wicked, even from within their supposed prosperity.
* **[[Psalm 58:4]]**: "Their venom is like the venom of a serpent; they are like the deaf cobra that stops its ears," This psalm describes the wicked who refuse to listen to reason or truth. The "deaf cobra" (pethen) is a powerful metaphor for their stubborn resistance to wisdom and correction, highlighting their deliberate rejection of righteousness.
* **[[Psalm 91:13]]**: "You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent." In this psalm of divine protection, pethen represents a formidable and dangerous adversary. The promise to "tread on" it signifies God's empowering of the righteous to overcome significant threats and dangers, both physical and spiritual.
* **[[Isaiah 11:8]]**: "The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest." This profound Messianic prophecy paints a picture of ultimate peace and harmony in the eschatological kingdom. The pethen (cobra) and `{{H6604}}` eph'eh (viper) losing their venomous threat to even an infant symbolizes a complete reversal of the curse and a restoration of creation's original tranquility.
### Related Words & Concepts
Pethen is frequently associated with other terms for venomous snakes, emphasizing its deadly nature. These include:
* `{{H5175}}` nachash: The general Hebrew term for "serpent" or "snake," famously associated with the tempter in the Garden of Eden. While nachash can be any snake, pethen specifically denotes a highly poisonous one.
* `{{H6604}}` eph'eh: Often translated as "viper," and sometimes paired with pethen (as in [[Isaiah 11:8]]) or used interchangeably to denote a deadly serpent.
* `{{H8313}}` tziph'oni: Another term for a venomous snake, often rendered "viper" or "adder," also conveying immediate danger.
The conceptual field surrounding pethen includes poison, venom, death, danger, wickedness, divine judgment, and, paradoxically, divine protection and eschatological peace.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of pethen is multifaceted, serving as a powerful symbol in several key areas:
* **Symbol of Evil and Wickedness:** Most consistently, the pethen embodies the destructive power of sin and wickedness. Its venom represents the corrupting, insidious, and ultimately deadly influence of evil on individuals and society. The "wine" of the wicked being pethen venom ([[Deuteronomy 32:33]]) illustrates how their actions and doctrines lead to spiritual and moral death. The internal "poison" in Job's portrayal ([[Job 20:14-16]]) emphasizes that ill-gotten gains bring about their own ruin, acting as a self-inflicted judgment.
* **Human Depravity and Stubbornness:** The "deaf cobra" of [[Psalm 58:4]] vividly portrays the hardened heart of the unrighteous, who, like a snake impervious to the charmer's song, refuse to hear or respond to truth, wisdom, or divine correction. This highlights the depth of human rebellion and obstinacy against God.
* **Divine Protection and Victory:** In stark contrast to its representation of evil, pethen also serves as a symbol of the dangers from which the righteous are divinely protected. [[Psalm 91:13]] promises that the believer will "tread on the lion and the cobra," signifying God's sovereign power to grant triumph and safety over formidable adversaries and threats, both spiritual and physical. This verse speaks to the believer's empowerment through faith to overcome even the most deadly forces.
* **Messianic Restoration and Peace:** Perhaps the most profound theological use of pethen is found in [[Isaiah 11:8]]. In the vision of the Messiah's kingdom, the pethen loses its venom, and a child can safely play near its den. This imagery points to a radical transformation of creation itself, where the curse introduced by the serpent in Eden is undone. It signifies a future era of perfect peace, harmony, and safety, where even the most dangerous elements of the fallen world are rendered harmless under the righteous reign of the Messiah. This verse encapsulates the hope of ultimate redemption and the complete reversal of the consequences of sin.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פֶּתֶן (pethen, `{{H6620}}`) refers to a highly venomous serpent, typically an asp or cobra, whose name implies its twisting, contorting movement. In the biblical narrative, pethen functions primarily as a potent symbol. It vividly illustrates the destructive power of wickedness and sin, often associated with divine judgment and the internal corruption that consumes the unrighteous ([[Deuteronomy 32:33]], [[Job 20:14-16]]). It also represents the stubborn, unhearing nature of those who resist divine truth ([[Psalm 58:4]]). Paradoxically, pethen also symbolizes the formidable dangers from which God provides protection to the righteous ([[Psalm 91:13]]). Most significantly, in Messianic prophecy, the pethen becomes a profound emblem of the redeemed creation under the Messiah's rule, where its venomous nature is neutralized, signifying an era of profound peace, safety, and the ultimate reversal of the curse ([[Isaiah 11:8]]). Thus, pethen encapsulates both the perilous reality of a fallen world and the glorious hope of its ultimate restoration through God's redemptive work.
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