Reconsidering the Nehushtan as a Magical Healing Device within the Geographical, Cultural, and Magico-Religious Context of the Ancient Near East

According to Numbers 21:4–9, the Nehushtan was a copper/bronze snake effigy that functioned as a ‘magical’ healing tool to cure the early Israelites from venomous snakebites they incurred during their desert wanderings. What is unclear from the narrative is the symbolic significance of the event, th...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gillian Williams, Mariette Harcombe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-11-01
Series:Religions
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/11/1404