ἑρπετόν (herpeton)
herpeton
reptile
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word herpeton refers to any creeping or crawling creature, with its root verb herpo meaning "to creep." In the New Testament, it serves as a broad category for low-moving animals, often functioning as a translation for Hebrew terms used in the Old Testament to describe swarming life. While it can encompass various small creatures, the sources highlight that it is frequently applied specifically to snakes and serpents.
This term appears in four distinct passages, illustrating its use in diverse contexts. Peter’s vision in Acts 10:12 features a sheet containing “all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles,” emphasizing the sheer variety of earthly life. Paul uses the word in Romans 1:23 to describe humans exchanging the glory of God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, or reptiles, marking them as part of the created order rather than the Creator. James 3:7 similarly lists herpeton among the many creatures that can be tamed by human skill, contrasting this with the untamable tongue.
The theological weight of herpeton lies in its categorization of life under God’s sovereignty. By grouping these crawling creatures alongside birds and beasts, the text underscores the diversity of creation. The word reminds readers that even the most humble or feared creeping things are part of the natural world designed by God, whether used to illustrate moral failure or divine provision.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word herpeton covers the wide range of creatures that move close to the ground. In Acts 10:12, Peter sees a sheet lowered from heaven containing birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. This vision was not just about biology; it was a lesson in breaking down barriers. God showed Peter that the clean and unclean were all part of His creation, preparing him to welcome Gentiles into the faith without prejudice.
Paul uses this same category in Romans 1:23 to show how easily people can miss the Creator by staring at the created. He lists reptiles alongside birds and beasts to highlight the absurdity of worshipping an image instead of the God who made them. It is a warning against confusing the map for the territory.
James 3:7 reminds us that while humans can tame these diverse creatures, including creeping things, we cannot tame our own tongues. The word grounds us in reality. We live in a world designed by God, filled with life that operates under His sovereignty. Recognizing this helps us stay humble and grateful for the order He has established.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- creeping things2×
- of creeping things1×
- creeping things.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἑρπετὰ2×
- ἑρπετῶν.¶1×
- ἑρπετῶν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 10:12
in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky.
This verse lists reptiles alongside birds and beasts to show the full diversity of earthly life in Peter's vision, signaling that no creature is outside God's scope.
-
Romans 1:23
and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, four-footed animals, and creeping things.
Paul groups creeping things with birds and humans to illustrate the foolishness of exchanging divine glory for created images.
-
James 3:7
For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;
The inclusion of reptiles in this list emphasizes the breadth of creation that mankind has subdued, contrasting it with the untamable human tongue.