It is my understanding that the ancient Hebrew and modern Jewish view of the serpent in the Garden of Eden is that the creature was not demonic at all. Just a talking snake, no judging.

And in fact, a literal reading the Genesis text reveals a stretch to transform snek into Satan, in any way other than that he convinced Eve to go against God's orders.

But look at the gift she got. Yes, she became mortal and thus could die. But uhm, also now she could have babies, knowledge, and a system of moral reasoning. She could leave home and become her own person out in the world with her BFF BF Adam.

She didn't eat of the Tree of Death and Sin... She ate the fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Snek here is offering life, expansion, freedom, reasoning, knowledge, struggle, creativity, and growth. She really did become "like God."

And the cost of all that happens to be death. That is a trait of the universe, not of moral evil or rebellion against authority.

🧵