SERPENTE DI BRONZO. — During the march of several months that brought the Israelites of Moses to the Arnon, within sight of the “steppes of Moab,” the people once again manifested their weariness from the hardships of the journey through the desert and from the insufficiency and monotony of their diet of manna. They were complaints “against the Lord” as well as against Moses. Then God sent them the punishment of the “fiery serpents,” whose bite was deadly.
It is not known what species of serpents is meant; perhaps the term “fiery,” or “burning,” Hebr. idraph, alludes to an inflammation or fever caused by the bite. When the people had repented, God, through the intercession of Moses, indicated the remedy in a b. s., which was to be erected on a pole: whoever had been bitten and looked at it would be healed; and so it happened (Num. 21:4-9). The symbolism does not seem difficult to grasp: it was chosen in harmony with the setting. Hung on the pole, the serpent was rendered harmless, as it were; the sight of the image recalled the punishment deserved; the act of trust, which the gaze was destined to provoke and signify, earned healing from God (Sap. 16:6-8). The object was preserved; but in Israelite popular tradition a cult became attached to it: it is found under the name of Nohestan (Nebulsilin) among the idolatrous objects that Ezechia had destroyed (II Reg. 18:4). The meaning of the b. s. found at Gezer (ancient-
(Anderson photograph) SERPENTE DI BRONZO — The punishment of the serpents. Painting by P. P. Rubens (17th century) — Madrid, Prado Gallery.
Jesus, raised upon the Cross, whence he gives life to whoever believes in him.
For the tempting serpent of Adam and Eve: V. ADAMO; EVA.