UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

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ἔχιδνα

MainId: 002204000000000

Version: 0

HasAramaic: False

InLXX: False

AlphaPos: ε

StrongCodes: G2191

BaseForms:

BaseFormID: 002204001000000
PartsOfSpeech: noun, f.
Inflections:
1. Lemma: ἔχιδνα
  BaseFormIndex: 1
  Realizations: -ης
LEXMeanings:
1. LEXID: 002204001001000
  LEXIsBiblicalTerm: M
  LEXEntryCode: 4.53
  LEXIndent: 0
  LEXDomains: Animals
  LEXSubDomains: Reptiles and Other 'Creeping Things'
  LEXSenses:
  1. LanguageCode: en
    LastEdited: 2021-07-16 10:31:18
    DefinitionShort: kind of poisonous snake; associated with lurking danger
    Glosses: ['asp', 'cobra', 'viper']
    Comments: 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.’
  LEXReferences: MAT 12:34, ACTs 28:3
  LEXLinks: fauna:4.4
2. LEXID: 002204001002000
  LEXIsBiblicalTerm: M
  LEXEntryCode: 88.123
  LEXIndent: 0
  LEXDomains: Moral and Ethical Qualities and Related Behavior
  LEXSubDomains: Bad, Evil, Harmful, Damaging
  LEXSenses:
  1. LanguageCode: en
    LastEdited: 2021-07-16 10:31:18
    DefinitionShort: (a figurative extension of meaning of {L:ἔχιδνα}[a] ‘viper,’ {D:4.53}) a dangerous and despised person
    Glosses: ['evil person', 'viper', 'snake']
    Comments: One must exercise due caution in rendering ἔχιδνα in {S:04001203400004} and {L:ὄφις}[b] in {S:04002303300006}, 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.
  LEXReferences: MAT 3:7, MAT 12:34, MAT 23:33, LUKE 3:7