1 Corinthians 10:9

Neither let us tempt Christ Whether we read Christ here with the authorized version, or -the Lord" with many MSS. and editors, makes but little difference. In either case Christ is meant, Who, as the Angel of the Covenant (see note on 1 Corinthians 10:4), was the guide of the Israelites throughout all their wanderings. What it was to tempt Christ we may best learn from the Old Testament narrative. See Numbers 14:22. It was to try Him, to see whether He would be as good as His word, whether He would punish their sin as He had declared He would. The word in the original means to try to the uttermost. For the occasion referred to see Numbers 21:6, though this is not the only occasion on which the Israelites were said to have tempted God.

of serpents Literally, by the serpents, i.e. the well-known fiery flying serpents mentioned in Moses" narrative.