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Deep Dive into Genesis 3 — The Hebrew Words Behind the Serpent Story

The Hebrew Reality: A Literal Snake, Not a Spirit

Nachash (נָחָשׁ) – The Serpent

נָחָשׁ

In Genesis 3:1, it’s “the nachash,” a noun meaning snake or serpent. It’s a literal reptile, not a spirit or demon.

Exodus 4:3: Moses’ staff becomes a nachash.

Numbers 21:6: God sends nachashim (snakes) to bite Israel.

Bottom line: No spiritual title—just a creature.

Arum (עָרוּם) – Crafty, Shrewd, Clever

עָרוּם

Genesis 3:1: The serpent was “more arum than any beast.”

Proverbs 1:4 uses it positively for prudence.

Here, it simply means the serpent was clever, not evil.

Arar (אָרַר) – Cursed

אָרַר

Genesis 3:14: “Cursed are you…”

This verb means to curse or bind with a curse.

Used again in Genesis 3:17 (the ground) and 4:11 (Cain).

Here, it marks the serpent’s punishment—demotion and humiliation.

Gachon (גָּחוֹן) – Belly

גָּחוֹן

Genesis 3:14: “On your gachon you shall go.”

A rare word in Torah—literal belly or underside.

The serpent is now forever tied to the ground.

Aphar (עָפָר) – Dust

עָפָר

Also in Genesis 3:14: “Dust you shall eat.”

Same word as in Genesis 2:7, where man is formed from aphar.

Now the serpent’s life is humble, living off dirt and dust.

Eybah (אֵיבָה) – Enmity, Hostility

אֵיבָה

Genesis 3:15: “I will put eybah between you and the woman.”

Also seen in Numbers 35:21-22 for personal enemies.

Here, it signals a deep, ongoing feud between serpent and humanity.

Zera (זֶרַע) – Seed, Offspring

זֶרַע

Genesis 3:15: “Between your zera and her zera.”

Means descendants or literal seed (Genesis 1:11, 9:9).

This is physical, not symbolic—snake babies vs. human babies.

Shuph (שׁוּף) – Strike, Bruise, Crush

שׁוּף

Genesis 3:15: “He shall shuph your head, and you shall shuph his heel.”

It’s a rare word—used only here.

Means mutual harm: the serpent’s head and the human’s heel both take a hit.

Summary: The Hebrew Reality

The Nachash is:

  • A snake (not a spirit)
  • Crafty (arum)
  • Cursed (arar)
  • Crawling on its belly (gachon)
  • Eating dust (aphar)
  • In conflict (eybah)
  • With offspring (zera)
  • Exchanging strikes (shuph)

No Satan. No fallen angel. No evil spirit. Just a clever animal, punished and pitted against mankind.

The Torah keeps it clear, literal, and grounded in the physical world.

Word-by-Word Breakdown: True Hebrew Meaning (No Greek Lies)

Nachash (נָחָשׁ) – The serpent (a literal snake, not a spirit).

Exodus 4:3 – Moses’ staff turns into a Nachash (נָחָשׁ).

Numbers 21:6 – God sends snakes (nachashim, נְחָשִׁים) to bite Israel.

No demons, no spirits—just a real reptile.

Arum (עָרוּם) – Cunning, shrewd, crafty.

Proverbs 1:4 – Used positively for wisdom.

The snake was smart, not evil.

Arar (אָרַר) – To curse or bind with a curse.

Genesis 3:14 – "Cursed (ארור) are you…"

The snake itself is cursed—not turned into a demon.

Gachon (גָּחוֹן) – Belly, underside.

Genesis 3:14 – "On your gachon you shall go…"

The snake is humbled—literally crawling.

Aphar (עָפָר) – Dust, dry earth.

Genesis 2:7 – "Man was made from Aphar (dust)."

Serpents licking the dust is a sign of humiliation, not spiritual war.

Eybah (אֵיבָה) – Enmity, hostility.

Numbers 35:21-22 – Used for human feuds.

Humans and snakes are enemies—not a cosmic battle.

Zera (זֶרַע) – Seed, offspring.

Genesis 1:11 – Used for literal plant seeds.

Physical generations of snakes vs. humans—not spiritual beings.

Shuph (שׁוּף) – Bruise, crush, strike.

Genesis 3:15 – "He shall shuph your head, and you shall shuph his heel."

This describes a natural battle between humans and snakes.

What the Greeks Added (That’s NOT in Hebrew)

  • "Satan" in Genesis 3 (Not There!)
  • "The devil disguised as a serpent" (Not There!)
  • "Fallen angel tempting Eve" (Not There!)
  • "Original sin affecting all humanity" (Not There!)

Greek theology changed the meaning of Genesis 3. They turned a real snake into a cosmic enemy of God—which is not what the Torah teaches.

Final Truth: The Nachash is Just a Snake

The Hebrew Bible never says the Nachash is Satan.

The Nachash was real, clever, and punished.

The curse is physical: crawling, eating dust, being hated by humans.

This is not a war between good and evil—it’s a lesson about obedience.

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