Adder

(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.

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:

AD'DER. The word translated thus in various passages of the Bible does not always mean what the English word denotes. 1. In Gen 49:17 it indicates a venomous serpent (perhaps the cerastes, or horned snake) which lurks in the path. The usual habit of the cerastes is "to coil itself on the sand, where it basks in the impress of a camel's footmark, and thence suddenly to dart out on any passing animal. So great is the terror which its sight inspires in horses, that I have known mine, when I was riding in the Sahara, to suddenly start and rear, trembling and perspiring in every limb, and no persuasions would induce him to proceed. I was quite unable to account for his terror until I noticed a cerastes coiled up in a depression two or three paces in front, with its basilisk eyes steadily fixed on us, and no doubt preparing for a spring as the horse passed." — Tristram. In Ps 58:4 and Ps 91:13 the Egyptian cobra is probably meant, for it is found in southern Palestine, dwells in holes, is used by snake-charmers, and is very dangerous. This is the animal seen on Egyptian monuments, symbolizing immortality, and always connected with the winged globe. In the former passage above, there is reference to the fact that there are serpents of some kinds or particular individuals which will not yield to the charmer. Though capable of hearing, they will not hear, and are properly termed "deaf." See Asp. Still other kinds of serpents are referred to under this name in Ps 140:3; Prov 23:32 — species of viper, it is thought.

AD'DER. The word translated thus in various passages of the Bible does not always mean what the English word denotes. 1. In Gen 49:17 it indicates a venomous serpent (perhaps the cerastes, or horned snake) which lurks in the path. The usual habit of the cerastes
is "to coil itself on the sand, where it basks in the impress of a camel's footmark, and thence suddenly to dart out on any passing animal. So great is the terror which its sight inspires in horses, that I have known mine, when I was riding in the Sahara, to suddenly start and rear, trembling and perspiring in every limb, and no persuasions would induce him to proceed. I was quite unable to account for his terror until I noticed a cerastes coiled up in a depression two or three paces in front, with its basilisk eyes steadily fixed on us, and no doubt preparing for a spring as the horse passed." — Tristram. In Ps 58:4 and Ps 91:13 the Egyptian cobra is probably meant, for it is found in southern Palestine, dwells in holes, is used by snake-charmers, and is very dangerous. This is the animal seen on Egyptian monuments, symbolizing immortality, and always connected with the winged globe. In the former passage above, there is reference to the fact that there are serpents of some kinds or particular individuals which will not yield to the charmer. Though capable of hearing, they will not hear, and are properly termed "deaf." See Asp. Still other kinds of serpents are referred to under this name in Ps 140:3; Prov 23:32 — species of viper, it is thought.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

One who, or that which, adds; esp., a machine for adding numbers.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A serpent. [Obs.] "The eddre seide to the woman." Wyclif. Gen. iii. 4. )

2. A small venomous serpent of the genus Vipera. The common European adder is the Vipera (or Pelias) berus. The puff adders of Africa are species of Clotho.

3. In America, the term is commonly applied to several harmless snakes, as the milk adder, puffing adder, etc.

4. Same as Sea Adder.