נָחָשׁ nachash (H5175) is most often translated as “serpent” and comes from the word נָחַשׁ nachash (H5178) and literally means “to divine” which is to learn something through divination (the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means). Bibles have used the words enchantment, divine, enchanter, indeed, certainly, learn, experience, diligently, or observe to translate the word נָחַשׁ nachash.
In Genesis 3:1, we learn that the nachash was a wild beast, translated as חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה chayat hasadeh (H2416 + H7704) in Hebrew and θηρίον thērion (G2342) in the Greek Septuagint, that was more subtle and crafty than any other wild beast. In Mark 1:13, we learn that when Yeshua was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan. He was with the wild beasts (θηρίον thērion) and the angels were serving Him. We also learn that the great dragon in the Book of Revelation is the ancient nachash, “he who is called the devil and Satan.” (Revelation 12:9; Revelation 20:2)
According to Judaism, “the gematria (numerical value) of the Hebrew word for “snake,” nachash, is equivalent to the value of the word Moshiach. Moshiach will bring an end to exile and repair the damage done to the world through the sin of the Tree of Knowledge, which was caused by a snake.” – by Chaya Shuchat “Hidden Good” on TheJewishWoman.org
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