Quick Definition
ἑρπετόν, οῦ, τό n.n. a creeping creature, reptile
Strong's Definition
neuter of a derivative of herpo (to creep); a reptile, i.e. (by Hebraism (compare 7431)) a small animal
KJV Usage: creeping thing, serpent
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
noun, n. | -οῦ
4.51 · Animals · Reptiles and Other 'Creeping Things'
creeping animal, reptile, snake general word for reptile that includes snakes and lizards Though ἑρπετόν is often interpreted as referring only to snakes, it also includes in biblical contexts (as the result of the influence of classifications based on Hebrew terminology, as in GEN 1:25 GEN 1:26 GEN 1:30 a number of small four-footed animals as well as snakes, for example, rats, mice, frogs, toads, salamanders, and lizards. However, in the various NT contexts (for example ACT 10:12 ACT 11:6 ROM 1:23 JAS 3:7 where ‘creeping things’ are contrasted with birds, animals, and fish) it is probably more satisfactory to use a term which designates primarily snakes. In a number of languages a very important distinction is made between four-footed reptiles (such as lizards) and snakes. If such a distinction is made, it is then probably better to use a term which designates only snakes, since a term for ‘animals’ will probably also include lizards.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἑρπετόν, -ov, τό, (fr. ἕρπω to creep, crawl, [Lat. serpo; hence serpent, and fr. same root, reptile; Vanicek p. 1030 sq.]), @ creeping thing, reptile; by prof. writ. used chiefly of serpents; in Hom. Od. 4, 418; Xen. mem. 1, 4, 11 an animal of any sort; in bibl. Grk. opp. to quadrupeds and birds, Acts x. 12; xi. 6; Ro. i. 23; and to marine animals also, Jas. iii. 7; on this last pass. ef. Gen. ix. 3. (Sept. for wp) and yyw.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἑρπετόν herpeton 4x
a creeping animal, a reptile, Acts 10:12; 11:6; Rom. 1:23; Jas. 3:7*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ἑρπετόν, -οῦ, τό
(< ἕρπω, to crawl), [in LXX chiefly for רֶמֶשׂ, שֶׁרֶץ ;]
a creeping thing, reptile: Ac 10:12 11:6, Ro 1:23, Ja 3:7.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἑρπετόν. In the vi/A.p. Gnostic amulet, PF Oxy VII. 10607, we have the petition—amdAdAakoy τὸν οἶκον τοῦτον ἀπὸ παντὸς κακοῦ ἑρπετοῦ <kal> πράγματος ταχὺ ταχύ, “Ὧἴτες this house with all speed from every evil reptile and thing.” See also Aazbel 10331 (iii/B.c.)— ἑρπέθ᾽ ἅμ᾽ αὐτῶι γὺ- τὰ] θεοὶ στυγέουσι βροτοί τε.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
ἑρπετόν (herpeton) — reptile. ἑρπετόν, Aeolic dialect perhaps ὄρπετον (which see), τό, (ἕρπω) beast or animal which goes on all fours, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; ἑρπετά, opposed to πετεινά, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; πυκινώτατον ἑ., of a hound, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; of insects, [Refs 7th c.BC+]
II. creeping thing, reptile, especially snake, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; of the monster Typhoeus, with a snake's body, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
II.2. as adjective, creeping, κακὸν ἑ. πρᾶγμα [Refs 6th c.AD+]; τὰ ἑ. θηρία [Refs 3rd c.AD+]