Satan is called the old serpent, in allusion to the way in which he tempted Eve, and to his cunning and subtlety. Hypocrites are compared to serpents (Matt. 23:33), also to the tongue of the wicked (Psa. 140:3), also to wine (Prov. 22:31-32). Believers are, however, exhorted to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves.