Scorpion

Ancient scorpions were about two to four inches long and the deadliest of insects. Scorpions were often mentioned as symbols of pain and betrayal. Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, told the people of Israel that he would whip them with scorpions—

an expression that meant he would treat them harshly. His words also implied the use of a whip called a “scorpion,” which stung like the tail of a scorpion. The apostle John later saw a vision of a terrible creature in the end times that will cause pain to people like the sting of a scorpion.