God bless you. Today we're going to look at the biblical meaning of snake dreams.
Use our Biblical Dream Interpreter Calculator to find out the meaning of your dreams. Write 3 sentences about your dream for the best interpretation.
Biblical Meaning of Snake Dreams
1. Deception and Temptation
Symbolism: The serpent in Eden is the first deceiver. In dreams, snakes often symbolize a spirit of deception, temptation, or misleading voices.
Biblical Basis:
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.” — Genesis 3:1
“That ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world.” — Revelation 12:9
Dream Meaning:
A snake appearing, speaking, or luring may indicate false counsel, spiritual deception, or temptation attempting to draw someone off God’s path.
2. Spiritual Attack and Demonic Influence
Symbolism: Snakes often represent hostile spiritual forces. In Scripture they symbolize danger, harm, or satanic activity.
Biblical Basis:
“You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.” — Psalm 91:13
“They will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them.” — Mark 16:18
Dream Meaning:
A snake chasing, biting, or surrounding you can reflect spiritual warfare, opposition, or a demonic assault. Crushing or killing it can signify spiritual victory.
3. Hidden Sin or Poisonous Influence
Symbolism: A serpent can dwell in dark places, striking suddenly. In biblical imagery, it often points to hidden wickedness or corruption.
Biblical Basis:
“Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear.” — Psalm 58:4
“You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil?” — Matthew 12:34
Dream Meaning:
A snake in a bed, house, or personal space can reveal hidden sin, negative influences, or something that must be spiritually exposed and removed.
4. Deceitful People or Betrayal
Symbolism: Jesus often associated serpents with hypocrites and deceivers.
Biblical Basis:
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” — Matthew 10:16
“You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?” — Matthew 23:33
Dream Meaning:
Snakes can represent betrayal, false friends, or individuals with hidden malice.
5. Victory, Deliverance, and Authority
Symbolism: God grants His people power over serpents, symbolizing the triumph of divine authority over the enemy.
Biblical Basis:
“I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” — Luke 10:19
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” — Romans 16:20
Dream Meaning:
Crushing or overcoming the snake signifies deliverance, divine authority, and spiritual breakthrough.
Biblical Meaning of Rattlesnakes in Dreams — Extended Table
Let's look at rattlesnake symbolism and the biblical meaning of those dreams.
| Dream Context | Interpretation with Biblical Basis |
|---|---|
| Hearing the rattle but not seeing the snake | Symbolizes a spiritual warning — an unseen enemy, hidden sin, or rising discernment. The rattle acts as a divine alert to pray and guard your heart. Scripture:“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8 |
| A rattlesnake striking or biting | Represents a direct demonic attack, spiritual warfare, or betrayal from a source you were cautioned about. May show ignored warnings or spiritual vulnerability. Scripture:“You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.” — Psalm 91:13 |
| Killing or crushing the rattlesnake | Signifies victory, deliverance, and authority over the enemy. Indicates that prayer and obedience have defeated a demonic threat or temptation. Scripture:“I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” — Luke 10:19 |
| Seeing a rattlesnake guarding or blocking a path | Indicates a spiritual obstacle or intimidation tactic of the enemy to prevent your progress in faith or calling. The rattle warns but also tests your courage. Scripture:“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7 |
| Multiple rattlesnakes surrounding or circling | Reflects intense spiritual opposition, multiple adversaries, or a hostile environment. Calls for vigilance and warfare prayer. Scripture:“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you shall condemn.” — Isaiah 54:17 |
| Rattlesnake in the home or bed | Represents hidden sin, spiritual infiltration, or toxic influence within your personal life or household. A call to purification and renewed prayer life. Scripture:“Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear.” — Psalm 58:4 |
| A rattlesnake speaking or showing intelligence | Symbolizes satanic deception or false counsel — recalling the serpent’s deceit in Eden. May warn of manipulation or misleading advice. Scripture:“That ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world.” — Revelation 12:9 |
Church Fathers on Snake Symbolism — Extended Table
| Church Father | Quote / Teaching | Context / Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202) | “The devil spoke through the serpent to bring death, but Christ crushed the serpent to bring life.” (Against Heresies 5.21.1) | Irenaeus identifies the serpent with Satan, the origin of deception. Snake imagery represents the enemy’s craftiness, but also Christ’s victory over him. |
| Tertullian (c. 155–240) | “The serpent, most subtle of beasts, symbolizes the devil’s cunning which must be resisted by the simplicity of faith.” (On the Resurrection of the Flesh 25) | The snake is Satan’s craft, and the believer must respond with pure faith, not cunning. |
| Origen (c. 184–253) | “The serpent deceived Eve not by strength but by guile. Thus the devil works through deception.” (Commentary on Genesis 3.1) | Origen emphasizes that the snake’s power lies in deception, not force. Dreams of serpents reflect subtle spiritual attacks. |
| John Chrysostom (c. 349–407) | “The devil is called a serpent because he works in darkness and poisons secretly.” (Homilies on Matthew 23) | Chrysostom associates serpents with hidden evil and spiritual poison. |
| Augustine of Hippo (354–430) | “The serpent signifies the devil, and the crushing of its head signifies the defeat of pride and deceit through Christ.” (City of God 13.21) | Augustine interprets the serpent as Satan and human pride, ultimately overcome in Christ. |
| Ambrose of Milan (c. 340–397) | “The serpent’s venom is deceit; Christ gives the antidote in truth.” (On the Mysteries 7) | Ambrose sees the snake as falsehood and Christ as truth’s conqueror. |
| Jerome (c. 347–420) | “The ancient serpent, the devil, always seeks to strike the heel, but the faithful crush his head.” (Commentary on Genesis 3:15) | Jerome reflects on Genesis 3:15, portraying snake imagery as ongoing spiritual conflict between believers and Satan. |
| Gregory the Great (c. 540–604) | “The serpent glides in silence, and so does the tempter creep into the heart without noise.” (Moralia in Job 33.21) | Gregory uses the serpent as a figure of silent temptation and the subtlety of sin. |
| Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313–386) | “The devil is the serpent who seduced Eve and still lays snares for souls.” (Catechetical Lectures 2.4) | Cyril identifies the serpent with Satan’s continuous work to trap the unwary. |
| Basil the Great (c. 330–379) | “As the serpent creeps low to the ground, so too sin seeks the low and earthly heart.” (Homily on the Beginning of Proverbs) | Basil interprets the serpent as a symbol of base desires and earthly temptation. |
Summary Table — Snake Dreams
| Dream Context | Meaning | Key Scriptures |
|---|---|---|
| Snake speaking or circling | Deception and temptation | Genesis 3:1; Revelation 12:9 |
| Snake biting or chasing | Spiritual attack / demonic influence | Psalm 91:13; Mark 16:18 |
| Snake in house or bed | Hidden sin / poisonous influence | Psalm 58:4; Matthew 12:34 |
| Snake representing someone | Betrayal or deceit | Matthew 10:16; Matthew 23:33 |
| Killing or crushing the snake | Victory and deliverance | Luke 10:19; Romans 16:20 |
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