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Bronze Serpent Unrelated To Genesis
- The Numbers 21 bronze serpent story does not relate directly to Genesis 3 serpent story in its original context.
- Israelites likely were unaware of the Genesis serpent narrative at the time of the Numbers event.
Genesis 1-11 Written in Exile
- The first chapters of Genesis likely were written during the Babylonian exile, not by Moses.
- The texts contain Mesopotamian influences and polemics against Babylonian religion.
Serpents Symbolize Healing
- Ancient Near Eastern cultures associated serpents with healing due to their skin shedding symbolizing rebirth.
- Moses making the bronze serpent fits this cultural context as a symbol of healing, not evil.