The AMA Serpent-Entwined Pole – Why?

Originally posted 6/29/2021 – Revised 2/11/2022

Have you ever wondered why The American Medical Association (AMA) uses the serpent-entwined on the pole as their logo? Here is what they say at their website.

“The symbol dates to antiquity, and represents its namesake, the Greek god of healing. The image of a serpent-entwined staff also appears in the biblical book of Exodus, wherein Moses is instructed to erect a brass pole with a serpent; whoever looked upon it was healed. A body of mythology surrounds Asclepius.”Jun 20, 2005

https://amednews.com/article/20050620/opinion/306209958/4/#:~:text=The%20symbol%20dates%20to%20antiquity,body%20of%20mythology%20surrounds%20Asclepius.

I am aware of the Torah account (and plan to examine that in this article as well), but wasn’t as familiar with the Greek influence. So, I decided to do some checking. Here is what I found;

The Greek (Mythological) Influence

https://www.livescience.com/33104-why-is-the-medical-symbol-a-snake-on-a-stick.html

“…Asclepius is the Greek demigod of medicine. … The Greeks regarded snakes as sacred and used them in healing rituals to honor Asclepius, as snake venom was thought to be remedial and their skin-shedding was viewed as a symbol of rebirth and renewal.”

Asclepius – a staff having 1 serpent-entwined around it.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Asclepius

“Asclepius, Greek Asklepios, Latin Aesculapius, Greco-Roman god of medicine, son of Apollo (god of healing, truth, and prophecy) and the mortal princess Coronis.” May 4, 2021

And again from the AMA News site above;

“For many years the Staff of Asclepius has been confused with the caduceus, a symbol used by numerous medical organizations and that generally features two snakes encircling a rod topped with wings. According to most mythology, however, the caduceus represents the wand of the Greek god Hermes…”

Caduceus – a staff with wings having 2 serpents entwined around it.

From the Britannica site;

https://www.britannica.com/topic/caduceus

We could go deeper. And in future articles we may, but let this suffice for the sake of comparison between The Greek and Scriptural influences…

Because of my belief in the Scriptures (Genesis-Revelation), I believe these supposed “mythological” beings really did and do exist. Legend and generational inaccuracies have given them their reported characteristics. I believe them to be appearances of messengers (angels), both fallen and faithful. The Scriptures are replete with references to both. (391 times!) With that in mind, lets consider the scriptural account referenced in the amednews article that we began with;

The accurate reference of the narrative regarding Mosheh being instructed by Yahweh to set up a fiery serpent on a pole is found in Numbers 21. Instead of me printing the text, take a moment and read Numbers 21:4-9. Notice the definitions of the key words below;

The Hebrew word for “fiery” is; (Strong’s / BDB #H8314) “saraph” BDB Definition: “1) serpent, fiery serpent, 1a) poisonous serpent (fiery from burning effect of poison) 2) seraph, seraphim, 2a) majestic beings with 6 wings, human hands or voices in attendance upon GOD” (ie. Angels / Messengers.)

The Hebrew word for “serpent” is; (Strong’s / BDB #5175) “nâchâsh” BDB Definition: “1) serpent, snake, 1a) serpent, 1b) image (of serpent), 1c) fleeing serpent (mythological)”

The same word is used to describe “the serpent” in Genesis 3:1“And the serpent was more crafty …”

So, here is Eve having a conversation with “the serpent”, who we know is a fallen messenger / angel…

The Hebrew word for “bit / bitten” is; (Strong’s #H5391) “nâshak” naw-shak’, Strong’s Definition: “A primitive root; to strike with a sting (as a serpent);…”

So, I believe that we can scripturally say that Yahweh allowed “fiery serpents”, which could have been messengers (fallen or faithful) to either use a life form known as a serpent, or become serpents and sting those who were struggling with belief in Yahweh for their guidance, provision and protection. If this alarms you, please remember that HE also allowed a similar scenario in Genesis 3 with Eve / Adam. They, like those in Num 21, chose to yield to the serpents’ suggestions. The results were / are the same; death.

(See article entitled “Unbelief – The Reasons…”)

Could that be the reason behind Yahweh instructing Mosheh as follows?

21:8-9 “And Yahweh said to Mosheh, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole. And it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” So Mosheh made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole. And it came to be, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.”

Is this why The Master Yahshua said;

John 3:14-15 “And as Mosheh lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so the Son of Adam has to be lifted up, so that whoever is believing in Him should not perish but possess everlasting life.” In other words, could HE be saying that its time to choose who we look to for guidance, protection and provision?

I completely understand that for those who do not profess “belief” in Yahweh, HIS Son, Yahshua Messiah and the promises contained in HIS Word, it is perfectly logical for them to be looking to whatever and whoever is available to help with their needs. But for those of us who profess belief in HIM, isn’t it inconsistent for us to do as they do?

Here’s a sobering thought. At some point in time, there will be a generation who will have to choose either to receive a “mark” and continue in commerce, or to reject a “mark” and be excluded from the benefits of society. Which would include medical treatment!

Rev 13:16-17 “And he causes all, both small and great, and rich and poor, and free and slave, to be given a mark upon their right hand or upon their foreheads, and that no one should be able to buy or sell except he that has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

What even makes this more real, is that as I write this article there are those in government, and in the medical industry that are saying that they believe that the vaccine being administered as the cure for COVID-19 “should be made mandatory” for all citizens! It is being said that private business will be the enforcers. In other words, if that happens, you and I will not be able to go to the grocery store, school, hospital, work, etc., unless we can “prove” that we have taken the vaccine!?? Do you see where this could go? And ALL of this because of a MEDICAL Pandemic! Consider;

Rev 9:21 And they did not repent of their murders, nor of their drug sorceries, nor of their whoring, nor of their thefts.

“drug sorceries” is defined: (Strong’s #H5331) – pharmekia / pharmacy / medication…

Rev 18:23 (To Mystery Babylon) “And the light of a lamp shall not shine in you any more at all. And the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you any more at all. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, for by your drug sorcery all the nations were led astray.”

I know that this may be quite a challenge to many. I believe that the Day of Yahweh is fastly approaching. We, as professing believers must be ready! We must be yielding ourselves to HIS Spirit to produce belief in us all the more!

Jude 1:20-21 “But you, beloved ones, building yourselves up on your most set-apart belief, praying in the Set-apart Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of Elohim, looking for the compassion of our Master Yahshua Messiah unto everlasting life.”

Should we, as believers, be looking to an entity that identifies itself with a serpent-entwined pole??? Or to HIM, The One who was impaled, rose from the dead and is coming soon to deal with the serpent/dragon/devil once and for all??? (Rev 20:10)

It is important to note that when Hezekiah became king, he found Yisrael worshiping the bronze serpent and destroyed it. Consider;

2Ki 18:3 – 6 And he did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, according to all that his father Dawid did. He took away the high places and broke the pillars, and cut down the Asherah and broke in pieces the bronze serpent which Mosheh had made, for until those days the children of Yisra’el burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan. He put his trust in Yahweh Elohim of Yisra’el and after him was none like him among all the sovereigns of Yehudah nor who were before him, and he clung to Yahweh. He did not turn away from following Him, but guarded His commands, which Yahweh had commanded Mosheh…