The serpent cannot have been Adam because:
- The serpent was a beast of the field. Genesis 3:1
- When questioned by God about the eating of the forbidden fruit, Adam blamed Eve who then blamed the snake. This order would not make sense if Adam was the serpent.
- God handed out punishments to 3 entities – the serpent, the woman, Adam. Once again, this only makes sense if there are 3 entities.
- The curse on the serpent was different to the curse on Adam. Genesis 3:14 “The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.” Man is not cursed above all livestock and beasts of the field, but this curse is very relevant to the serpent and its descendants.
However people who manifest the traits of the serpent (i.e. tell lies), are likened to serpents or vipers. For example, Matthew 12:34-35:
You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (35) The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.