Ophiuchus, The Serpent Holder

May through August we will find Ophiuchus (oh fee U cuss) in the night sky. He stands just above Scorpius with his foot upon the scorpion, firmly holding in his hands a serpent. His name means he who seizes the viper.

Some star names help the observer imagine the placement of the figure. Ras Alhague, head of the holder, marks the head, of course. Yed Prior and Yed Posterior, front hand and back hand, grasp the serpent on either side of Ophiuchus. Sabik, to entwine, shows where the serpent crosses Ophiuchus’ body.

This word, sabik, is interesting for another reason. It is found in two word pictures in the Bible—here in bold in the two passages: 

 13 Such is the destiny of all who forget God;
       so perishes the hope of the godless.
 14 What he trusts in is fragile;
       what he relies on is a spider's web.
 15 He leans on his web, but it gives way;
       he clings to it, but it does not hold.
 16 He is like a well-watered plant in the sunshine,
       spreading its shoots over the garden;
 17 it entwines its roots around a pile of rocks
       and looks for a place among the stones.
 18 But when it is torn from its spot,
       that place disowns it and says, 'I never saw you.'
                                           —Job 8:13-18 NIV

9 Whatever they plot against the LORD
       he will bring to an end;
       trouble will not come a second time.
 10 They will be entangled among thorns
       and drunk from their wine;
       they will be consumed like dry stubble.
                                          —Nahum 1:9-10 NIV

In both these scriptures, the thing entwined is going to meet a bad end!

We can be sure that the Serpent Holder will bring to a bad end the enemy of our souls.