What are “snake handlers” and what they are said to do?
I would assume they had snake handlers as long as snakes and humans have coexisted. I would say they are found mostly in parts of the world where snakes are the most abundant- technically everywhere but depending on the snake depends on the expertise of the snake handler (poisonous vs nonpoisonous) The meaning is to promote life when dealing with poisonous snakes and to avoid the pain of bites. I would say the symbolism is of those who are able to handle snakes with poison is something to be derived from the bible. Snakes were seen as ‘sin- detectors’ so to speak. So those who are without sin are able to handle snakes without getting bit. Those with sin are bit by snakes and the venom from the snake causes death to those sinful individuals shortly thereafter. I don’t remember the scripture, but you can google.
