ADDER
A species of serpent, more commonly called viper. The word adder is used five times in the Bible, as a translation of four different serpents of the venomous sort. In Genesis 49:17, it seems to mean the cerastes, or horned viper, of the color of sand, and very deadly bite; accustomed to lie hidden in the tracks in the sand, and dart up on the unwary traveller. In Psalms 58:4; Psalms 1:91, it is probably the asp. In Psalms 140:3 perhaps the tarantula, or some serpent that strikes backwards. See SERPENTS, VIPER.