In Revelation 20:2, the serpent is identified as Satan, referred to as "that serpent of old." This metaphor, used in Genesis 3:1, describes serpents as the most cunning of God's creatures, highlighting Satan's sly, crafty, and shrewd nature. The term "serpent" invokes an understanding of how our adversary works, emphasizing his cunning in deceiving Eve. The Hebrew word for serpent, nāḥāš, relates to shining, suggesting Satan's original magnificence as a shining angel. The metaphor of the serpent is further used in Genesis 3:14 to symbolize Satan's ultimate humiliation and defeat, as crawling on the belly in the dust represents subjection and humiliation. In Genesis 3:15, the metaphor extends to describe the spiritual struggle between Satan and humanity, with the crushing of the serpent's head symbolizing the defeat of Satan's ambitions and schemes.

In the book of Genesis, the serpent emerges as a potent symbol within the narrative of the first prophecy in Genesis 3:14-19. God addresses the serpent, setting it apart from other creatures to represent the ultimate cause and originator of sin. The curse on the serpent, described as crawling on its belly and eating dust, is not to be taken literally but symbolically, signifying humiliation and abasement due to sin. This imagery serves as a constant reminder to humanity and the adversary of the ultimate fate of humiliation for gargantuan pride. The serpent's symbolic role extends to the prophesied enmity between it and the woman, as well as between their respective seeds, highlighting a spiritual conflict rather than a physical one. Furthermore, the crushing of the serpent's head by the heel of the woman's Seed underscores a theme of subservience and mortification, illustrating the serpent's ultimate defeat and loss of power.

The serpent in Genesis 3 becomes a symbol of humiliation after God's curse. God tells the serpent that it will go on its belly and eat dust, which the Hebrews later understood as expressions of being brought low and humiliated. This symbolism reflects the serpent's pride being diminished as a result of God's judgment.