Strong's Hebrew: 660. אֶפְעֶה (epheh) -- Viper, Adder

Strong's Lexicon

epheh: Viper, Adder

Original Word: אֶפְעֶה
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: eph`eh
Pronunciation: eh-feh
Phonetic Spelling: (ef-eh')
Definition: Viper, Adder
Meaning: an asp, other venomous serpent

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to hiss

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Greek equivalent for "epheh," the Greek word "ἔχιδνα" (echidna, Strong's G2191) is often used in the New Testament to refer to a viper or serpent, carrying similar connotations of danger and deceit.

Usage: The Hebrew word "epheh" refers to a venomous snake, specifically a viper or adder. In the biblical context, it is often used metaphorically to describe danger, deceit, or the presence of evil. The viper is known for its deadly bite, which makes it a fitting symbol for treachery and sudden peril.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Near Eastern culture, snakes were often associated with danger and death due to their venomous nature. The viper, in particular, was feared for its stealth and lethal bite. In the Bible, snakes are frequently used as symbols of evil and deception, most notably in the account of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. The imagery of a viper would have resonated with ancient audiences as a representation of hidden threats and the consequences of sin.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from paah
Definition
(a kind of) viper
NASB Translation
snake (1), viper (1), viper's (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

אֶפְעֶה noun [masculine] a kind of viper (Thes 'a flando et sibilando;' compare Arabic viper, Ethiopic id.); — ׳א Isaiah 30:6; Isaiah 59:5, ׳לְשׁוֺן א Job 20:16.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

viper

From epha' (in the sense of hissing); an asp or other venomous serpent -- viper.

see HEBREW epha'

Forms and Transliterations

אֶפְעֶֽה׃ אֶפְעֶה֙ אפעה אפעה׃ ’ep̄‘eh ’ep̄·‘eh efEh

Links

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