Snakes marked with flamelike spots, or whose bite caused acute inflammation (Num. 21: 6). The Lord sent these upon the children of Israel to "straiten them," and he prepared a way that those who were bitten might be healed by looking at the serpent of brass that Moses raised up before them, which was a symbol of the Redeemer being lifted upon the cross (John 3: 14-15). The event is confirmed in latter-day revelation (1 Ne. 17: 41; 2 Ne. 25: 20).