Hearing God's Voice in DreamsA–Z symbolsBronze Serpent in a dream
Biblical meaning from Hearing God's Voice in Dreams by Apostle Nicholas V. Mbanjwa
Also: Copper snake, Nehushtan, Brazen serpent, Serpent on a pole
What it means
Christ on the cross, made sin for the world.
Healing, restoration, redemption and salvation obtained by looking rather than by working.
Israel was not healed by treating the bite but by looking at the likeness of what had bitten them, lifted up on a pole.
✦ When it is positive
- Christ's atonement
- Substitution
- Healing received by looking to what God provided
⚠ When it is a warning
- The same object kept and worshipped, becoming Nehushtan — an idol made out of a past deliverance
How to tell the difference
The bronze serpent has two opposite readings depending on the era shown: lifted up, it is Christ; enshrined and burned incense to, it is idolatry made from yesterday's miracle. Note whether the dreamer looks at it or venerates it.
Scripture
8The LORD said to Moses, “Make a venomous snake, and set it on a pole. It shall happen that everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” 9Moses made a serpent of bronze, and set it on the pole. If a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked at the serpent of bronze, he lived.
Numbers 21:8-9 (WEB)
He removed the high places, broke the pillars, and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, because in those days the children of Israel burned incense to it; and he called it Nehushtan.
2 Kings 18:4 (WEB)
14As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:14-15 (WEB)