, chapter 21:4-9), though the tradition is no older than the time of Hezekiah. Snake cults were well established in Canaan in the Bronze Age: archaeologists have uncovered serpent cult objects in Bronze Age strata at several pre-Israelite cities in Canaan: two at Megiddo, one at Gezer, one in the sanctum sanctorum of the Area H temple at Hazor, and two at Shechem. Origin The creation of a bronze snake (the Nehustan) is attributed to Moses in the Book of Numbers. (Numbers 21:6) Then the LORD se… (More on Nehushtan)