The story of the bronze serpent — when a plague of snakes swept through the camp, God told Moses to lift up a serpent of brass, and everyone who looked at it lived.
This account is found in Numbers 21, during Israel’s long journey through the wilderness.
The Story of the Bronze Serpent
Israel was still traveling through the desert, and the people grew impatient. They complained against God and against Moses, saying they hated the food and the long road.
In response, venomous snakes came among the camp, and many people were bitten and died. The people quickly saw their mistake and came to Moses, admitting they had spoken against God.
Moses prayed for them, and God gave him an unusual command: make a fiery serpent and set it high on a pole where everyone could see it.
Moses made a serpent out of bronze and lifted it up. God promised that anyone who was bitten could simply look at the bronze serpent and would live.
The cure asked nothing complicated of the people. They did not have to earn it or fight for it. They only had to turn and look, and life was given back to them.
Key Verses
“And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.” Numbers 21:6
“Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole.” Numbers 21:8
“That if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.” Numbers 21:9
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), a public-domain translation.
What the Story of the Bronze Serpent Teaches Us
The bronze serpent taught Israel that rescue came from God, not from their own strength. The dying were healed by trusting a simple command.
In the New Testament, Jesus pointed back to this very story, comparing the lifted-up serpent to himself being lifted up so that people might look to him and live. It is a story about looking away from the trouble and toward the one who can heal.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What was the bronze serpent?
It was a snake made of bronze that Moses set on a pole in Numbers 21. Anyone bitten by the real snakes could look at it and be healed.
Why did God send snakes among the people?
The people had complained against God and Moses during their journey. The snakes came as a consequence, and the people soon admitted they were wrong.
How were the people healed?
God told them to look at the bronze serpent Moses lifted up. Those who looked at it lived, without any other cure.
Does the New Testament mention the bronze serpent?
Yes. Jesus compared the lifted-up serpent to himself, saying he too would be lifted up so people could look to him and live, in John 3:14-15.
Where is the story of the bronze serpent in the Bible?
It is found in Numbers 21.