Bible Dictionaries
Viper

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Viper. This word in the Old Testament possibly designates some particular species of hissing and venomous serpent, but its exact application cannot be determined. In the New Testament the Greek word thus rendered was used for any poisonous snake. The viper which fastened on Paul's hand, =Acts 28:16, was doubtless the snake of that name, Vipcra aspis, still common in the Mediterranean islands. It has now disappeared from Malta with the woods to which it is partial. The viper is an emblem of whatever is deceitful and destructive. Matthew 3:7; Matthew 12:34; Matthew 23:33; Luke 3:7.

Bibliography Information
Rice, Edwin Wilbur, DD. Entry for 'Viper'. People's Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​rpd/​v/viper.html. 1893.