Nachash

The Trickster Snake of Eden (Art by Jim Padgett)

### Aliases

Serpent, Nāḥāš, Snake of Eden, Biblical Serpent, Ancient Snake, the Trickster, the Tempter, the Damned, the Seducer, Tempting One, Steve, Ophiomorphos, Nahash, Samael, The Serpent of Eden, the Serpent of Light, Lilith

## Relatives

### Parents

God

**Nachash**, also known as **The Serpent**, the **Serpent of Knowledge**, the **Serpent of Light** or the **Serpent of Eden**, is considered one of the earliest biblical personifications of evil, credited as a manifestation of Satan, being the one by which he successfully tempted Adam and Eve eating the Forbidden Fruit and thus brought about the Fall of Humanity.

## Appearance

Nachash before the fall had the appearance of a huge serpent, approximately 15 meters long, also having four legs.

## Personality

Nachash is a deceptive and cunning creature. It tempts Eve by promoting the idea that eating the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge would be beneficial, even though God had explicitly forbidden it.

## Powers and Abilities

Nachash is described as "subtle" or "cunning", which implies a level of intelligence and craftiness above that of the average snake. The serpent possessed the ability to speak and reason, making it distinct from other animals on Earth.

The serpent's cunning nature is a significant aspect its nature, as it uses its intelligence to tempt Eve into disobeying God's command not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. This leads to the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden.

## History

### Origin

Just as He wanted to create His own set of humans, God was interested in another species of mortal Earth-bound creatures, the snakes. They were more clever than the rest of their reptile brethren and seemingly had no weaknesses. On that day, God created a serpent and gave it the name "Nachash", and left it alone with Adam and Tinshemet in Eden. They got along fairly well despite the barrier in species, mostly because Nachash had the ability to speak.

### Temptation

After Tinshemet was forced out of Eden, Nachash began to feel more alone. He still had Adam, however Adam wasn't all that interested in talking to a creature who couldn't even stand. This made him the prime target of a demon who was desperate on winning a war unknown to the serpent.

## Myths and Legends

The serpent in the Book of Genesis is a multifaceted symbol, interpreted differently across various cultures and religious traditions. While it is commonly associated with the Devil or Satan ( or Luficer) in Christian theology, other perspectives view it as a separate agent of chaos, or even a vessel for Satan's influence. Some interpretations suggest possession or disguise, adding complexity to the character's role. Regardless of the specific interpretation, the serpent serves as a powerful symbol of manipulation and distrust, cautioning against disobedience and the consequences of defying divine commands. Its enigmatic presence continues to spark theological and cultural discussions, making it one of the most intriguing and enduring figures in religious literature.

The idea that the serpent in the Garden of Eden was initially a part of God's Earthly paradise and had a different form or nature before its role in the temptation of Adam and Eve is a concept found in some interpretations and folklore, but it is not explicitly detailed in the biblical account. These interpretations often take creative liberties to provide a more nuanced backstory to the serpent's character.

In the biblical narrative, the serpent is not described as having legs, nor is it explicitly mentioned as a fallen angel or a previously accepted member of the paradise in Eden. The focus of the story is on the serpent's role in tempting Eve and leading to the disobedience of Adam and Eve, resulting in their expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

In the Book of Genesis, the serpent is not explicitly portrayed as a deity; instead, it is depicted as a cunning and deceitful creature that tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. This story is one of the most well-known narratives in Judeo-Christian tradition and is often interpreted as an allegorical tale about the consequences of disobedience and the origins of human sin.

The idea that the serpent in Genesis is connected to Lilith, Adam's supposed original wife, who later becomes associated with succubi and demonic entities in some interpretations, is not part of the mainstream biblical narrative. This notion is part of alternative interpretations and traditions that are not found in the canonical texts of the Bible. It's essential to recognize that there are various interpretations and folklore surrounding biblical stories, and these interpretations can vary significantly across different cultures and religious traditions.

## Gallery

*Nachash before being cursed by God* (Art by Heath after Dr. Shaw)