שָׂרָף, pl. שְׂרָפִים

אֵשׁ שְׂרָפִים (Carmel 2010.12.03 AFP hâ-ÂrꞋëtz)

A raging, consuming, tower of fire, advancing like a living being; corrupted to "seraphim". The combinative form is "…שְׂרָף" (sᵊraphꞋ …; a consuming tower of fire of…).

שְׂרָפִים in Yᵊsha•yâhꞋu 6.2… "are depicted as composite semi-divine beings with three pairs of wings; they stand, fly, and proclaim [י--ה]'s ineffable [QoꞋdësh] before the divine throne. As guardians of a throne they recall the [kᵊruv•imꞋ] in Yᵊkhëz•qeilꞋ 1, although unlike the latter they do not serve as a divine [Mërkâv•âhꞋ]." (Ency. Jud. 14.1179-80). This seems to be a way of depicting Hittite and other deities as mere slaves who "proclaim [י--ה]'s ineffable [QoꞋdësh]" and a Mërkâv•âhꞋ that carries Him around like a King on their shoulders.

שָׂרָף – Six-winged Hittite basalt relief, 65x35.5 cm from Tel Halaf, Iraq (Ency. Jud. 14.1179, Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, Md.) Such prohibited (or demoted) deities, typically fear-inspiring war ensigns that can fly and deliver a fearsome, fiery bite, may uncomfortably parallel military unit logos (e.g., Roman ensigns) and sports mascots.

"A basalt relief from [Tel Khalaph, Iraq] shows a composite deity with three pairs of wings, holding a snake in each hand. This figure resembles the seraphim of [Yᵊsha•yâhꞋu] 6…" (Ency. Jud., 14.1179).

שְׂרָף הַעֵין גֶּדִי (Atractaspis engaddensis)

Also the name of a snake, known variously as the mole viper, צִפְעֹון or צִפְעֹון שָׁחוֹר, burrowing asp, stiletto snake, side-stabbing snake (see close-up below, showing side fang that makes this snake impossible to handle with normal means), and Father of Death. The scientific nomenclature, Atractaspis engaddensis, derives from yet another of its names: שְׂרָף הַעֵין גֶּדִי; (scienceblogs).

An unidentified snake expert at a snake park, upon identifying this species of viper, reported to a bite victim: "It's a Stiletto snake aka Burrowing Asp. Highly venomous, a Cytotoxic poison, no anti-venom—but don't worry, you won't die…" Another bite victim reported: the bite site turned immediately navy blue and an intense burning sensation started. If any breeze even slightly touches your arm the burning sensation intensifies extremely… The swelling immediately starts at the bite site. The glands and dry mouth hang around for about 12 hours. On the 2^nd day the burning sensation subsides. The swelling and headache persist for 3 days. On the 4^th day the swelling starts going down. By the 5^th day the swelling is down a lot but the bitten finger took about 3 months before I could bend it normally again. Problems with the bite site persist for at least 6-8 months after the bite.

שְׂרָף הַעֵין גֶּדִי (Atractaspis engaddensis)

This fits with the description of making the trek to gaze at the נְחַש הַנְּחֹשֶׁת (bᵊ-Mi•dᵊbarꞋ 21.4-9) and, about 4 days later (excepting small children, ill and elderly) the bite victim improves.

Also, by allusion to its "raging fiery venom," the Atractaspis engaddensis is called the "שְׂרָף הַעֵין גֶּדִי, as well as "burrowing viper," "mole viper" or "stiletto snake" – "Highly venomous, a Cytotoxic poison, no anti-venom - but don't worry, you won't die…" (scienceblogs.com).

Its fangs protrude from the sides of its mouth, striking sideways by swinging its head to the sides. This makes this viper so dangerous that not even the most experienced snake handlers dare handle this snake in a conventional manner. Researchers needing venom to study must first use tongs to manipulate the viper into a custom-fitted glass tube, so that only its head protrudes and it cannot swing its head in any direction, before they can safely handle this snake—more accurately, handling the tail of the snake, (to keep it in place in the tube) and handling the tube to milk its fangs for venom.

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