ὄφις (ophis)
ophis
snake
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek noun ophis simply means snake or serpent. In the New Testament, it appears fourteen times, with significant occurrences in Matthew and Revelation. While the word denotes a literal animal, its biblical usage often carries symbolic weight beyond zoology.
Jesus uses the creature to illustrate practical wisdom, telling his followers to be "wise as serpents" when navigating hostile environments (Matthew 10:16). This association with cunning appears elsewhere in Scripture, such as Paul’s warning that the serpent deceived Eve through her craftiness (2 Corinthians 11:3).
In Revelation, the term shifts to identify Satan directly. The text describes a great red dragon whose tail sweeps stars from the sky, explicitly calling this figure "that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan" (Revelation 12:9). This identification links the creature back to the deception in Genesis, establishing it as the archetype of spiritual opposition.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ophis appears in Scripture as both a literal animal and a powerful symbol of spiritual reality. In the Gospels, Jesus invites his followers to be wise like serpents while remaining harmless as doves. This image does not call for deceit, but for the keen awareness needed to navigate difficult situations with integrity. It reminds us that faithfulness often requires discernment and caution when facing hostility.
Later biblical writings connect this creature to deception and opposition against God’s people. The New Testament identifies the serpent with Satan, the deceiver who seeks to lead believers away from truth. Yet even here, hope remains: Christ has already defeated the power of evil. When we face spiritual attacks or confusion, we can trust that Jesus holds ultimate authority over all forces of darkness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- serpent5×
- serpents4×
- a serpent2×
- serpent.1×
- as serpents1×
- Serpents1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὄφις4×
- ὄφιν3×
- ὄφεις3×
- ὄφεων2×
- ὄφεως.1×
- ὄφεσιν1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 10:16
“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Jesus uses this word to describe the kind of shrewdness believers need when facing opposition, paired with innocence.
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Revelation of John 12:9
The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
This verse explicitly identifies the serpent as Satan, linking the creature to the role of deceiver in cosmic conflict.
-
II Corinthians 11:3
But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Paul warns that the serpent’s craftiness can corrupt minds, showing how deception works against spiritual simplicity.
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Luke 10:19
Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.
Here the word signifies dangerous forces over which Jesus grants his followers authority, emphasizing protection rather than fear.