UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: asp, cobra, viper

Semantic entry: 4.53

Semantic domains: Animals

Subdomains: Reptiles and Other 'Creeping Things'

Definition: kind of poisonous snake; associated with lurking danger

Notes: The terms ἀσπίς and ἔχιδνα[a] may be used to refer to almost any kind of poisonous snake, and since at least some type of poisonous snake occurs in practically all parts of the world, there is usually little difficulty involved in finding an appropriate term. One can, however, always employ a descriptive expression, for example, ‘a snake whose bite causes death.’

Further resources: fauna:4.4

Sense 2: evil person, viper, snake

Semantic entry: 88.123

Semantic domains: Moral and Ethical Qualities and Related Behavior

Subdomains: Bad, Evil, Harmful, Damaging

Definition: (a figurative extension of meaning of ἔχιδνα[a] ‘viper,’ 4.53: ἀσπίς / 4.53: ἔχιδνα) a dangerous and despised person

Notes: One must exercise due caution in rendering ἔχιδνα in RV MAT 12:34 · LV MAT 12:34 · Read together MAT 12:34 and ὄφις [source selector 000001][b] in RV MAT 23:33 · LV MAT 23:33 · Read together MAT 23:33, since in some cultures snakes are regarded as being particularly wise and clever, and therefore an expression such as ‘brood of vipers’ could be a compliment. In some languages important distinctions are made between different types of snakes, and therefore connotations may vary considerably.