the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Encyclopedias
Snake
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
(נָחָשׁ, A.V. "serpent"), a creature found in Palestine (Robinson saw some there six feet long [Bibl. Res. 2, 154]), but still more abundantly in the neighboring countries, especially Egypt (Ammian. Marcell. 22, 15; p. 324 ed. Bip.) and Arabia (Herod. 2, 75; 3, 109; Aelian, Anim. 2, 38; Strabo, 16, 759, 778; Diod. Sic. 3, 47; Agatharc. in Phot. Cod. 250, p. 1376; comp. Numbers 21:6 sq.; Isaiah 30:6; see Prosp. Alpin. Rer. AEgypt. 4, 4; Burckhardt, Trav. 2, 814; Tischendorf, Reise, 1, 261; Russell, Aleppo, 2, 120 sq.; Schubert, 3, 120; Forskal, Descr. Anim. p. 13 sq.); sometimes in the deserts, frequently of poisonous species. They belonged to unclean animals according to the Mosaic classification (Leviticus 11:10; Leviticus 11:41 sq.). The scientific investigation of the different species in the East is not sufficiently accurate to enable us to determine with any certainty the various kinds mentioned in Scripture. (See SERPENT).
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Snake'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tce/​s/snake.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.