Bible Dictionary
Adder
Adder is a general biblical term for a poisonous serpent. It translates several Hebrew words, and the exact species cannot always be determined from the passages where it occurs.
Definition
Adder is a general English term used for several Hebrew words denoting poisonous serpents. The precise species cannot always be determined from the biblical contexts.
Biblical Usage
The term represents several serpents, including the akshub, pethen, tsiphoni, and shephiphon. These are associated with danger, hidden attack, venom, and, in Genesis 49:17, Dan’s comparison to a serpent lying in wait.
Historical Background
The Hebrew terms may refer to different vipers, a cobra, a yellow viper, or a horned snake. The English word itself is used ambiguously for various poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Ps. 140:3; Rom. 3:13, “asp”) is the rendering of, (1.) Akshub (“coiling” or “lying in wait”), properly an asp or viper, found only in this passage. (2.) Pethen (“twisting”), a viper or venomous serpent identified with the cobra (Naja haje) (Ps. 58:4; 91:13); elsewhere “asp.” (3.) Tziphoni (“hissing”) (Prov. 23:32); elsewhere rendered “cockatrice,” Isa. 11:8; 14:29; 59:5; Jer. 8:17, as it is here in the margin of the Authorized Version. The Revised Version has “basilisk.” This may have been the yellow viper, the Daboia xanthina, the largest and most dangerous of the vipers of Palestine. (4.) Shephiphon (“creeping”), occurring only in Gen. 49:17, the small speckled venomous snake, the “horned snake,” or cerastes. Dan is compared to this serpent, which springs from its hiding-place on the passer-by.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
This word is used for any poisonous snake, and is applied in this general sense by the translators of the Authorized Version. The word adder occurs five times in the text of the Authorized Version (see below), and three times int he margin as synonymous with cockatrice, viz., (Isaiah 11:8; 14:29; 59:5) It represents four Hebrew words:
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ad'-er (`akhshubh (Ps 140:3); pethen (Ps 58:4); tsiph`oni (Pr 23:32); shephiphon (Ge 49:17); tsepha` (King James Version margin; Isa 14:29)): This word is used for several Hebrew originals. In each case a poisonous serpent is clearly indicated by the context. It is impossible to tell in any case just what species is meant, but it must be remembered that the English word adder is used very ambiguously. It is from the Anglo-Saxon noedre, a snake or serpent, and is the common English name for Vipera berus, L, the common viper, which is found throughout Europe and northern Asia, though not in Bible lands; but the word "adder" is also used for various snakes, both poisonous and non-poisonous, found in different parts of the world. In America, for instance, both the poisonous moccasin (Ancistrodon) and the harmless hog-nosed snakes (Heterodon) are called adders.</p><p>See SERPENT.</p><p>Alfred Ely Day</p>