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Genesis 3:15 – Could I Be a Seed of the Serpent?
The word “serpent” in Hebrew only occurs in two places within Genesis – the Garden of Eden narrative (3:1,2,4,13,14) and the “blessing” of Jacob upon Dan (49:17). The Hebrew word for “heel” is used in both passages also. As always, “bookends” interest me. It makes me wonder if the serpent narrative from Genesis 3 is to be seen in the pronouncement concerning Dan. If so, why? What might this mean to me?
Dan as a city within the tribe became infamous as the northern location of Jeroboam’s golden calves (1 Kings 12:29). Is this the connection back to Jacob’s “blessing”? Just as Jesus is the seed of Israel and was bruised by the seed of the Serpent, Satan (Genesis 3:15); so would the Serpent, Satan, as the city of Dan, bruise Israel.
What’s the lesson? If this is a correct connection, then it presents a frightening scenario – the seed of the Serpent and the seed of the woman have applications beyond the messianic Jesus (Gal.3:16,29). Anyone can become the seed of the serpent or the seed of the woman. I can be either seed!
While recognized as the first messianic prophecy, within the New Testament there is not a direct fulfillment of Genesis 3:15 in Jesus. However, there is an allusion with broader application:
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” (CSB’17 Romans 16:20)
Are we like Jesus or like Satan? Are we like faithful Israel or like Dan? Are we the seed of the Serpent or the seed of the woman? Are we, like Jesus crushing the head of Satan, or are we like Satan crushing the heel of Jesus?
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