The Meaning of the Word "Serpent" in Genesis 3

In the Hebrew Old Testament, the word serpent (נָחָשׁ) is used to refer to: 1) a serpent or a viper (e.g., Amos 5:9; Ecclesiates 10:8); or 2) a supernatural serpent or dragon (e.g., Isa. 27:1; Job 26:13).[1]

The serpent that tempted Eve "is more than a literal snake; rather it is Satan’s personal presence in the garden.”[2] The Book of Revelation affirms that the serpent is none other than Satan himself.

And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Rev. 12:9)

20:1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss   and a great chain in his hand. 20:2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; (Rev. 20:1-2)

In the Bible, the various designations for the serpent of Genesis 3 include:

1) Lucifer (cf. Isa. 14:12)

2) The devil (cf. Matt. 4:1)

3) The dragon (cf. Rev. 20:2)

4) Satan (cf. Job 1)

5) Leviathan (cf. Isa. 27:1).

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[1] F. Brown, S. Driver, and C. Briggs, The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2000), 638.

[2] Matthews, Genesis 1-11:26,  234.