Bible Dictionary
SERPENT, CROOKED
The crooked or swift serpent is poetic imagery associated with a constellation or a winding celestial figure. The passages in Job and Isaiah use the image in descriptions of God’s power over the heavens and chaos.
Definition
The crooked or swift serpent is poetic imagery associated with a constellation around the North Pole or with a winding celestial figure. The wording varies among translations, including swift, fleeing, winding, gliding, and piercing serpent.
Biblical Usage
Job and Isaiah use the image in descriptions of God’s power over the heavens. The passages speak of the swift or winding serpent in a poetic setting connected with the ordered celestial realm.
Historical Background
The expression has been connected with a constellation around the North Pole. Translation differences reflect the possible meanings of the underlying Hebrew imagery.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>krook'-ed: With reference to the constellation round the North Pole, in Job 26:13, the Revised Version (British and American) "the swift serpent," margin "fleeing"; and Isa 27:1, the Revised Version margin "winding." In the first part of the latter passage, the King James Version "piercing serpent" is changed in the Revised Version (British and American) to "swift serpent," margin "gliding" or "fleeing."</p><p>See ASTRONOMY, sec. II, 1.</p>