Who or what is Poison in the Bible?

Ancient Context: Poison

⚡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)

Ancient Palestine featured a variety of toxic agents, including venomous serpents, scorpions, centipedes, and poisonous plants, alongside contaminated water sources and the use of toxic substances in legal ordeals.

What is the meaning of Poison in the Bible?

Ancient Palestine featured a variety of toxic agents, including venomous serpents, scorpions, centipedes, and poisonous plants, alongside contaminated water sources and the use of toxic substances in legal ordeals.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing the specific toxic agents known in the ancient Near East clarifies the literal and metaphorical language used in biblical texts regarding danger, judgment, and divine protection.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Poison were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.

Bible Study Reflection Prompts:

Why did the biblical author mention Poison in this passage?
What cultural or historical assumption does Poison clarify?

Source Attribution & Provenance

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.

How to Cite This Entry

          "Poison." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/poison/
        

Poison