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NASB | Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?" |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the LORD God had made. And the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, "Can it really be that God has said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?" [Rev 12:9-11] |
Subject: The Serpent's Class |
Bible Note: "You have omitted the text and are trying to understand with only a portion of the Word, which is exactly what the serpent wants and how he beguiled Adam and Eve in the garden." Firstly, I do not appreciate being equated with the serpent/satan. In Gen. 3:1, why would the serpent be compared to the beasts of the field if it was not a beast of the field? I believe this verse equates the serpent to a beast of the field. It would be ludicrous to equate a angel/demon/satan to an animal. I understand your point of scripture interpreting scripture and I agree. But I believe we begin our interpretation of any passage in its immediate context, then move to other scripture. What I meant by outside text (which was probably a poor choice of words) is that the first readers of Genesis did not have the whole Bible as we do. I am asking the question, how did Moses and his readers/hearers understand this piece of scripture? As for the serpent's knowledge, I just do not see that knowledge as supernatural. The serpent distorted to God's words and added to what God had told Adam. I will concede that point as a matter of interpretation. You asked, "The Bible does say the serpent was the devil and I am not sure I understand the point you are making?" -- The point I am making is this: Yes the Bible says the Serpent is Satan, but it does not say it specifically in Genesis 3, not because it is trying to fool us, but so that we understand man's sin/our sin as our responsibility and guilt, and not try to shift blame as Adam did. I do not deny that the serpent is satan. I think it is significant that the serpent is not specifically named as satan in Gen. 3. |