נָחָשׁ (na.chash)
na.chash
serpent
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 26 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun nachash refers to a serpent or snake, with its name derived from the hissing sound the animal makes. In the Hebrew Bible it appears in contexts ranging from the Garden of Eden narrative to prophetic imagery, always denoting a real reptile or a symbolic representation of one.
While most occurrences describe literal snakes, such as the bronze serpent Moses lifted up in Numbers 21:9, the word also carries mythological weight. Isaiah uses it to depict the Leviathan, a fleeing serpent representing chaos and evil forces (Isaiah 27:1). This dual usage shows how the ancient Israelites understood both the natural world and spiritual realities through the same vocabulary.
Translators typically render nachash as "serpent" to distinguish it from other words for snakes, preserving its specific cultural and theological resonance. The term’s presence in Genesis 3 establishes a lasting association with deception, while its appearance in Kings highlights the danger of idolatry when such symbols are worshipped rather than merely observed.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word nachash describes a serpent, an animal known for its hissing sound and stealthy movement. In the ancient world, this creature represented both the dangers of the natural environment and deeper spiritual realities. When you encounter this term in Scripture, it often points to the complexity of trust and obedience. It reminds us that wisdom is needed to navigate hidden risks and that God remains sovereign even over the most subtle threats.
For your daily life, this word invites a posture of watchfulness. Just as the serpent in Genesis 3 used deception, we are called to discern truth from falsehood. Yet, the narrative also shows God’s provision. In Numbers, Moses lifted a bronze serpent so that those who looked at it could live. This image points to how God can use what seems like a source of danger to become a means of healing and restoration for those who seek Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 26 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ snake8×
- a snake6×
- [the] snake of2×
- the/ snakes1×
- the/ snake[s]1×
- snakes1×
- snake1×
- like/ a snake1×
- like <the>/ snake1×
- into/ a snake1×
- and/ the/ snake1×
- and/ a snake1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/נָּחָ֖שׁ3×
- נָחָ֣שׁ2×
- הַ/נָּחָ֑שׁ2×
- נָחָשׁ֙1×
- נָחָֽשׁ\׃1×
- נָחָ֥שׁ1×
- נָחָ֤שׁ\׀1×
- נָחָ֗שׁ1×
- נָחָ֖שׁ1×
- נְחָשִׁים֙1×
- נְחַ֨שׁ1×
- נְחַ֥שׁ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden’?”
This verse introduces the serpent as a subtle creature, establishing its role in the first act of deception against God's command.
-
Numbers 21:9
Moses made a serpent of bronze, and set it on the pole. If a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked at the serpent of bronze, he lived.
Here the bronze serpent becomes a symbol of divine healing, showing that looking to God’s provision brings life even after judgment.
-
Isaiah 27:1
In that day, Yahweh with his hard and great and strong sword will punish leviathan, the fleeing serpent, and leviathan, the twisted serpent; and he will kill the dragon that is in the sea.
The prophet uses the term for Leviathan, the fleeing serpent, to depict God’s ultimate victory over chaotic and evil forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the word nachash mean in the Bible?
Why is the serpent important in Genesis 3?
How is nachash used in Numbers 21?
Every Occurrence (26 verses across 12 books)
Genesis 6 verses
Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God…
Genesis 3:2The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden,
Genesis 3:4The serpent said to the woman, “You won’t really die,
Genesis 3:13Yahweh God said to the woman, “What have you done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Genesis 3:14Yahweh God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed above all livestock, and above every animal…
Genesis 49:17Dan will be a serpent on the trail, an adder in the path, that bites the horse’s heels, so that his rider falls…