Nehushtan

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Nehushtan refers to a religious artifact mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, specifically within the Book of Numbers (21:4–9) and the Second Book of Kings (18:4). It is described as a bronze serpent mounted on a pole, created by Moses upon God's command to heal the Israelites who were bitten by venomous snakes in the desert. The name "Nehushtan" itself is derived from the Hebrew word nehusht, meaning "bronze" or "copper".

Biblical Account

According to the narrative in the Book of Numbers, the Israelites spoke against God and Moses in the wilderness. In response, God sent fiery serpents among the people, and many were bitten and died. The Israelites then repented and asked Moses to pray to God to remove the snakes. God instructed Moses to make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole; anyone who was bitten could look at it and live. Moses made a bronze serpent and placed it on a pole, and it came to pass that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the bronze serpent, he lived.

In the Second Book of Kings, it is mentioned that King Hezekiah of Judah, in his reforms aimed at centralizing worship in Jerusalem and combating idolatry, destroyed the Nehushtan. Hezekiah's actions are described as part of his efforts to purify the worship practices of the Israelites, indicating that by his time, the bronze serpent had become an object of worship, contrary to its intended purpose.

Interpretation and Symbolism

The Nehushtan has been subject to various interpretations over the centuries. In Jewish tradition, it is often seen as a test of faith, emphasizing the power of God to heal and save. In Christian theology, the Nehushtan is frequently interpreted as a prefiguration of Jesus Christ on the cross, symbolizing salvation and healing through faith.

Cultural Impact

The image of a serpent on a pole has had a lasting impact on cultural and medical symbols. The most notable example is the Rod of Asclepius, a symbol associated with healing and medicine, which features a single serpent entwined around a staff. This symbol is often confused with the Caduceus, which has two snakes and is associated with the Greek god Hermes.

Criticism and Controversy

The worship of the Nehushtan as an idol, as mentioned in the Second Book of Kings, has been a point of criticism and theological debate. This incident is often cited as an example of how religious symbols can become objects of idolatry if their original meaning and purpose are forgotten or distorted.

See Also

• Moses
• Hezekiah
• Idolatry in Judaism
• Christian symbolism