The Redeemer's Conflict.
We come now right into the heart of the conflict. The star-picture brings before us a gigantic scorpion endeavouring to sting in the heel a mighty man who is struggling with a serpent, but is crushed by the man, who has his foot placed right on the scorpion's heart.
The Hebrew name is Akrab, which is the name of a scorpion, but also means the conflict, or war. It is this that is referred to in Ps. xci. 13:
“Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder.
The young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.”
David uses the very word in Ps. cxliv. 1, where he blesses God for teaching his hands to war.
The Coptic name is Isidis, which means the attack of the enemy, or oppression; referring to “the wicked that oppress me, my deadly enemies who compass me about” (Ps. xvii. 9).
The Arabic name is Al Akrab, which means wounding him that cometh.
Plate 9: SCORPIO (the Scorpion)