Jeremiah 8:17
For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מְשַׁלֵּ֜חַ
For behold I will send
H7971
מְשַׁלֵּ֜חַ
For behold I will send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
3 of 14
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
צִפְעֹנִ֔ים
cockatrices
H6848
צִפְעֹנִ֔ים
cockatrices
Strong's:
H6848
Word #:
6 of 14
a viper (as thrusting out the tongue, i.e., hissing)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לָ֑חַשׁ
among you which will not be charmed
H3908
לָ֑חַשׁ
among you which will not be charmed
Strong's:
H3908
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, a whisper, i.e., by implication, (in a good sense) a private prayer, (in a bad one) an incantation; concretely, an amulet
וְנִשְּׁכ֥וּ
and they shall bite
H5391
וְנִשְּׁכ֥וּ
and they shall bite
Strong's:
H5391
Word #:
11 of 14
to strike with a sting (as a serpent); figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 10:11Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.Deuteronomy 32:24They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.Numbers 21:6And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
Historical Context
Snake-charming was practiced throughout the ancient Near East, appearing in Egyptian art and Mesopotamian texts. The metaphor's power lies in the inability to control these particular serpents—Babylon would not be deterred by Judah's diplomacy, tribute, or military resistance. Historical records show Judah's repeated attempts to deflect Babylonian aggression through alliance-switching and tribute payments, all ultimately failing.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the serpent imagery connect judgment throughout Scripture from Eden to Babylon to Revelation?
- What does God's sending of judgment teach about His sovereignty over pagan empires?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse introduces startling imagery: 'For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed.' The Hebrew nachashim (נְחָשִׁים, serpents) and tsephionim (צִפְעֹנִים, vipers, poisonous snakes) represent the Babylonian invaders. 'Which will not be charmed' (asher ein-lahem lachash, אֲשֶׁר אֵין־לָהֶם לָחַשׁ) indicates these 'serpents' cannot be controlled by magical incantations—referring to diplomatic efforts or military strategies that had sometimes deflected other enemies. 'And they shall bite you, saith the LORD' promises certain destruction. God Himself sends these serpents, making resistance futile. The serpent imagery recalls the wilderness judgment (Numbers 21:6) and Eden's curse (Genesis 3:14-15).