What is the biblical meaning of snakes in a dream? If you’ve had dreams that involved snakes, you may be interested in interpreting them from a Biblical perspective.

However, it is important to note that not all Christian denominations or sects believe in dream interpretation or the idea that dreams are still used by God to communicate with us as they were in Biblical times.

That being said, for those who do believe in it or others who might be curious, here are the most common interpretations of the meaning behind snakes in a dream from a Biblical standpoint.

What is the Biblical Meaning of Snakes in a Dream?

Although there are no incidents recorded in the Bible of someone having a dream about snakes or direct commentary on it, we can still infer some information based on what is recorded and about the symbolism of snakes used throughout. It can be a symbol of deception, a representation of Satan, and a symbol of healing.

1. Symbol of Deception

The first snake in the Bible makes his appearance in Genesis 3, where a serpent or snake in the Garden of Eden appears and convinces Eve to eat the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. Eve then convinces Adam to do the same, leading to their exile.

2. Representation of Satan

The serpent is not explicitly stated in the text of Genesis to be Satan himself, although the reference in Revelation 12:19 to “[T]he serpent of old, Satan” has led Biblical scholars to conclude that Satan himself appeared to Eve in the garden.

However, whether you believe the serpent was simply an actual snake used by the Devil or was Satan himself, the point is that the snake became an important symbol after that event.

3. Symbol of Healing

As seen in the verses below, snakes in the Bible are almost exclusively referenced in a negative context. The most notable exception is Numbers 21, where The Lord instructs Moses to put a snake onto a pole, which then healed anyone with a snakebite who looked at it.

This shows us that, although snakes are generally negative, they can be used and symbolized in a positive way as well.

Bible Verses Against Snakes in Dreams

Although there are no Bible verses that directly reference dreams about snakes, here are a few verses from the New International Version about the creatures in general, from which we can determine the overall symbolism used within God’s Word regarding snakes.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? – Matthew 3:7

You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. – Matthew 12:34

In these verses, John The Baptist and Jesus, respectively, are directly addressing the Pharisees and Sadducees, the religious leaders of the time who were known for their hypocrisy and their refusal to accept Jesus as the Son of God, among many other issues He had with them.

Because of their deceitful nature, including often trying to “trick” Jesus with their loaded questions, they are compared to snakes.

Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. – Acts 28:3-5

The Apostle Paul, on his way to Rome to stand trial, was shipwrecked on the island of Malta and, despite receiving a poisonous snakebite, survived. Those with him believed him to be God but he quickly corrected them and explained that it was through the power given to him by God that he was able to survive.

Dreams about Snakes in Islam

In Islam, dream interpretations are more well-defined and accepted almost universally due to hundreds of years of tradition. There are believed to be 50 to 90 separate interpretations of dreams involving snakes, depending on the source and the nature of the dream.

If the dreamer is afraid of the snake, it symbolizes negative emotions similar to those found in the Christian interpretation like deception and suffering, among others. On the other hand, if the dreamer is not afraid of the snake, it symbolizes power and the riches that can be achieved by killing the snake.

Dreams About Snakes: Specific Scenarios

1. Dream about Killing a Snake

In the passage above, Paul endured a bite from a snake commonly referred to as a “two-stepper” – as in, after being bitten, a person normally takes about two steps before falling over dead. Through the grace of God, Paul was able to survive.

From this, we can conclude that a dream about killing a snake represents shaking off bad influences, temptations, our sinful nature, or other bad things and overcoming them through the grace of God.

2. White Snake in a Dream

What’s the biblical meaning of a white snake in a dream? As with most white objects in The Bible, a white snake represents purity. It can also represent a need to trust our instincts – specifically, our instincts to trust Him in all things.

Dreaming of a white snake symbolizes spiritual growth, purification, and wisdom. You may be on a path toward understanding who you truly are and being comfortable in your skin. However, it can also indicate your need for protection or subconscious anxieties.

Overall, the appearance of a white snake means the dreamer is experiencing fear and/or doubt over something in their life and doesn’t know how to proceed. However, the white snake tells us that we should have no doubts or fears because God is in control and, as the Apostle Paul asks rhetorically in Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

To interpret this dream further, examine how you felt during the dream. If you feel calm, it may be a gentle nudge to trust your intuition. If you feel scared, you may be experiencing stress at home or work.

3. Green Snake in a Dream

What’s the biblical meaning of a green snake in a dream? It can mean God’s judgment and wrath, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, renewal, rebirth, or protective healing, depending on other factors.

4. Dreams About Dead Snakes

A dead snake can have the same meaning as the act of killing a snake as listed above, although it may also have a different meaning, depending on the situation depicted within the dream.

A dead snake can also symbolize healing, as in the story mentioned earlier from Numbers where God told Moses to put a snake on a pole so that anyone with a snakebite who looked upon it would immediately be healed. Like the killing of a snake, it can also represent a spiritual healing process of casting off sin and choosing to fully follow Him.

5. Dreams About Red Snakes

A red snake is often used as a symbol of vitality, transformation, or renewal. This is also supported from a Biblical standpoint, as the red coloration can represent the blood of Christ which was shed for our sins when he suffered, bled, and died on the cross to bring us salvation.

The snake, of course, represents Satan and his evil plans, which in the dream have been defeated by His precious blood. Seeing a red snake in a dream means that the dreamer should stay strong and keep their focus on The Lord, especially if other elements of the dream suggest that focus might be slipping.

6. Being Chased by a Snake in a Dream

What’s the biblical meaning of being chased by a snake in a dream? It symbolizes the fear and anxiety that come from being chased by sin, temptation, doubt, deception, and other undesirable elements. By running away from the snake, the dreamer has decided to keep their focus on the Lord and not fall into the temptation to commit sins.

As Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert and we know that He was blameless and committed no sins, we know that being tempted is not a sin. However, we should also do our best to avoid temptation as it makes it less likely that we’ll give in. In dreams and in our Christian walks, we should all avoid the snake.

7. Dream About Seeing Two Snakes

Dreams about seeing two snakes indicate a sense of inner turmoil. Each snake represents conflicting desires, and you may struggle with making an important decision. This inner conflict can include anger, fear, or guilt about your true desires. It can also be a cautionary warning about placing trust in someone close to you. Two snakes mean you need to reevaluate some aspects of your life.

8. Dream About Snakes in Your House

Dreams about seeing a snake in your home can be unnerving, especially since your home is supposed to be where you feel safe. Seeing a snake at home means a toxic person is in your close circle of friends, so tread lightly. It can also mean you should consider letting go of habits, people or a job that no longer serves you to allow for more positive energy and better opportunities to come through.

9. Dream About a Snake Wrapping Around You

The meaning behind this dream changes depending on the emotions you feel as it is happening. If the snake is attacking you and you are scared, you may be feeling overwhelmed by someone in your life or your circumstances. If the snake is not aggressive and you feel calm, it can symbolize healing and a renewed sense of peace. In Islamic cultures, dreaming of a snake wrapping around you signifies protection and spiritual guidance.

10. Dreams About a Snake Biting a Loved One

Any dream about a snake biting a loved one is distressing. It may indicate they are dealing with emotional or health-related issues. This dream may also suggest you have harsh feelings towards that person or are in conflict with them. You should ask yourself if you represent the snake in this dream and if you should consider seeing this dispute from their perspective.

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