Reptile mentioned only in Gen. xlix. 17. It is the modern Arabic shiphon , a horned sand-snake, or Cerastes haselquistii (Hart, "Animals of the Bible," pp. 13, 14). This viper, which is only about a foot long and of a grayish tint, lurks in ruts and footprints, and bites with deadly effect man or beast that passes by. It is found in Africa, where it appears in great variety and in large numbers. See Serpent .
Categories: [Jewish encyclopedia 1906]