The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed above all livestock, and above every animal of the field. You shall go on your belly and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 14. Cursed. This curse falls upon the natural serpent, as the instrument of the devil; who is also cursed at the same time by the Holy Ghost. What was natural to the serpent and to man in a state of innocence, (as to creep, and so forth to submit to the dominion of the husband, and so forth) becomes a punishment after the fall. Saint John Chrysostom—There was no enmity, before, between man and any of God’s creatures; nor were they noxious to him. Tirinus.—The devil seems now to crawl, because he no longer aspires after God and heavenly things, but aims at wickedness and mean deceit. Menochius.