Page 242 - Foundations

Satan... a scorpion is not a snake. To claim illustration of Genesis 3:15 with a scorpion is a
tremendous stretch.
[Source: Ibid]

While it is true that a scorpion is not the same thing as a snake, there are similarities between the two.
Both are creatures that do injury to man. Both crawl or walk close to the ground, placing them near
the heel of man. Both do injury by injecting poison into the victim’s body either through fangs or a
stinger at the end of the tail. Both are considered adversaries to man. Furthermore, Christ Himself
links the two creatures together, speaking of them symbolically as being emblematic of those who are
members of Satan’s kingdom.

Luke 10:17-19
And the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold, I have given you
authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing
shall injure you.”

It is clear from the context of this passage that serpents and scorpions are similitudes for Satan and
demons, and are characteristic of “the power of the enemy.” These are those dark forces that seek to
do injury to mankind, yet Christ has given His disciples authority over them. Even as both serpents
and scorpions are used as images of Satanic forces that threaten humanity in the New Testament and
in the church age, we observe that the same imagery was invoked in the Old Testament.

Deuteronomy 8:15
He led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty
ground where there was no water...

The experiences of the Israelites in the wilderness serve as types and shadows of the conflict that
takes place in spiritual realms. In light of these Bible passages, I do not perceive it to be “a
tremendous stretch” to associate Satan with the image of a scorpion. Satan has many names in the
Bible. In a passage from the Psalms we find a prophecy speaking of the coming Messiah. In the verses
of this Psalm it speaks of Christ not only trampling the serpent under His feet, but also trampling upon
the lion and the dragon. There are many images that are befitting of the conflict between Christ and
Satan.

Psalms 91:11-13
For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall
bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the serpent, the
young lion and the dragon you shall trample underfoot.

Joseph Seiss in his book The Gospel in the Stars shares the following insight.

The name of this sign in Arabic and Syriac is Al Akrab, which, as a name, means the scorpion, but
also “wounding, conflict, war.” David uses the root of this word (Ps. 144:1) where he blesses God
for teaching his hands to “war.” In Coptic the name is Isidis, attack of the enemy - a word from the