ophis denotes a snake, whether an actual creature, a comparison or rebuke, or the named serpent in Revelation.

The term most often identifies actual snakes in narratives, warnings, and descriptions of harmful creatures. It also appears in a comparison and direct rebuke, and in Revelation it identifies the serpent that acts against the woman and is called the devil and Satan.

1. Actual snakes and snake-like creatures · dominant

   The forms identify creatures in varied settings: in 1 Corinthians 10:9 the APB renders people perishing "by the snakes," while in John 3:14 Moses lifts up the singular object in the wilderness. Plural forms occur where serpents are tread upon in Luke 10:19, taken up in Mark 16:18, and where horse tails are like snakes that harm in Revelation 9:19.

   1 Corinthians 10:9John 3:14Luke 10:19Mark 16:18Revelation 9:19Luke 11:11
2. Figurative comparison or direct rebuke · occasional

   In Matthew 10:16, the nominative plural stands in the comparison "wise as serpents" alongside sheep, wolves, and doves. In Matthew 23:33, the vocative plural is a direct address, rendered by the APB as "Serpents," before the phrase "offspring of vipers."

   Matthew 10:16Matthew 23:33
3. The named serpent in Revelation · occasional

   In Revelation 12:9, the nominative singular is part of the clause identifying "the ancient serpent" as the devil and Satan; Revelation 20:2 similarly names the seized dragon as "the ancient snake." In Revelation 12:14-15, the singular serpent is the figure from whose face the woman flees and who throws water after her.

   Revelation 12:9Revelation 20:2Revelation 12:14Revelation 12:15

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly uses "serpent" and also uses "snake," including "snakes" for plural creatures. These English choices confirm the verse-level presentation rather than establish separate lexical meanings.