UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: creeping animal, reptile, snake

Semantic entry: 4.51

Semantic domains: Animals

Subdomains: Reptiles and Other 'Creeping Things'

Definition: general word for reptile that includes snakes and lizards

Notes: Though ἑρπετόν is often interpreted as referring only to snakes, it also includes in biblical contexts (as the result of the influence of classifications based on Hebrew terminology, as in OET GEN 1:25–26 · OET GEN 1:30 a number of small four-footed animals as well as snakes, for example, rats, mice, frogs, toads, salamanders, and lizards. However, in the various NT contexts (for example OET ACT 10:12 · OET ACT 11:6 · OET ROM 1:23 · OET JAM 3:7 where ‘creeping things’ are contrasted with birds, animals, and fish) it is probably more satisfactory to use a term which designates primarily snakes. In a number of languages a very important distinction is made between four-footed reptiles (such as lizards) and snakes. If such a distinction is made, it is then probably better to use a term which designates only snakes, since a term for ‘animals’ will probably also include lizards.

Further resources: fauna:4.2