Bible Dictionaries
Asp

Holman Bible Dictionary

KJV translation for a dangerous, poisonous snake (Deuteronomy 32:33; Job 20:14 ,Job 20:14,20:16; Isaiah 11:8; Romans 3:13 ). Other translations use serpent, viper, or cobra at some or all of these places. The Hebrew term pethen occurs also in Psalm 58:4 , where KJV translates, “adder.” Recent work points to the cobra naja chaje , but this identification is not certain. Whatever the specific identification, they serve as symbols of dangerous poison (Deuteronomy 32:33 ). They can be described as deaf (Psalm 58:4 ) either as a natural characteristic or as an unusual case. The deafness makes them immune to the snake charmer and thus even more dangerous with their poison. Riches that become the center of life turn out to be as poisonous as asps (Job 20:14 ,Job 20:14,20:16 ). The prophetic vision is God's restoration of the world order so that small children can play around the holes of poisonous snakes without fear (Isaiah 11:8 ). Until that day sin continues to dominate humanity, turning speech into poisonous lies (Romans 3:13 ).