ASP

Hebrew Pethen, a kind of serpent, whose poison is of such rapid operation, that it kills almost the instant it penetrates, without a possibility of remedy. It is said to be very small, not more than a foot in length. Forskal supposes it to be the Baetan, or Coluber Lebetina of Linaeus; but the true asp of the ancients seems to be unknown. It is frequently mentioned by ancient writers; but in such an indefinite manner, that it is impossible to ascertain the species with precision. It is mentioned in De 32:33 Job 20:14,16 Ps 58:4 91:13 Isa 11:8 Jer 8:17 Ro 8:13. A traveler in the desert south of Judah describes it as still infested with serpents; and adds as an instance, "One day we saw in our path an asp. A foot long. Coiled up in the attitude of springing. Our Arabs killed it, saying it was exceedingly venomous."

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Asp. Asp
(Heb. pethen), Deut. 32:33; Job 20:14, 16; Isa. 11:8. It was probably the Egyptian cobra (Naja haje), which was very poisonous (Rom. 3:13; Gr. aspis). The Egyptians worshipped it as the uraeus, and it was found in the desert and in the fields. The peace and security of Messiah’s reign is represented by the figure of a child playing on the hole of the asp. (See ADDER.)

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ASP. → A venomous serpent De 32:33; Job 20:14,16; Isa 11:8; Ro 3:13 → Venom of, illustrates the speech of the wicked Ps 140:3; Ro 3:13 → Injurious effects of wine De 32:33; Pr 23:32 → Deprived of venom, illustrates conversion Isa 11:8,9

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(Heb. pethen), translated (adder in) (Psalms 58:4; 91:13) Probably the Egyptian cobra, a small and very poisonous serpent, a dweller in the holes of walls, (Isaiah 11:8) and a snake upon which the serpent-charmers practiced their art.

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asp|aspic. Asp, or Aspic, n. a small venomous serpent, whose poison is said to kill like an opiate

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Asp (�), n. (Bot.) Same as Aspen. “Trembling poplar or asp.” Martyn.