The English
word Serpent has been derived from the Latin serpens with the
basic root of SRP, which through sound shifts within the Indo-European
language, also incorporates SRB, SRF, SRPH, and SRV. For example
the following words in English with this root:
SeRVe
– to perform a duty.
SuRVive
– to outlive; have a long life.
SuRVey
– to examine, or dignose.
SyRuP
– a term used in early medicine.
SuRPlice
– a white covering, used in Druid and Christian ceremonies,
cognate with the white overall used in hospitals.
The closest
association is with SERAPH, one of a group of angels known in
plural as SERAPHIM. The Hebrew word rapha meant healer,
surgeon or doctor. The term Ser (Sir) meant a higher being
or guardian angel; hence a reasonable deduction that the
SERAPHIM were a corps of medical angels.
The Egyptian
god SERAPHIS had medical associations; his temple at Memphis
which contained a hospital, was called a SERAPEUM.
Additionally,
SERAPION was an eminent physician of Alexandria in the third
century A.D., a name derived from his profession.
It must
be acknowledged that the term SERPENT had wider associations
with wisdom and wise men or women.
From the Shining Ones by Christian and Barbara Joy O’Brien.
