scorpion

Any arachnid of the order Scorpionida, of which a dozen species are known in Palestine. They are mainly nocturnal and carry a stinger at the end of the tail by which they paralyze food and defend themselves. They are symbols of desolate danger (Deut 8:15), severe treatment (1Kgs 12:11; 1Kgs 12:14; 2Chr 10:11; 2Chr 10:14), hazardous surroundings (Ezek 2:6), and excessive pain and torture (Rev 9:3; Rev 9:5; Rev 9:10). They symbolize the powers of evil (Luke 10:19), and Jesus uses them as a symbol of the paternal mistreatment no caring father would offer his child (Luke 11:12).