"... Although the meaning of the Hebrew adjective “arum” (עָרוּם, “shrewd” or “cunning”) can be ambiguous, in the context of Genesis 3:1 it is generally understood to have a negative or pejorative connotation. In contrast, the Greek word that is used as the equivalent for this term in the Septuagint, “phrónimos” (φρόνιμος, “prudent” or “wise”), has a positive value. Furthermore, a generic term for snakes is used, and the serpent is said to belong to the wild animals that are upon the earth. As well, while the Hebrew text does not identify the subject of the verb “wayōmer” (וַיֹּאמֶר, “and he said”), the Septuagint repeats that it is the serpent that is talking. The serpent’s initial words are translated as questioning God’s motive, removing the difficult expression of “ap ki” (“אף כי”, “indeed?” or “even though”), and perhaps the trickery that might have been involved in the statement ..."