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In his commentary on the "Fall of Adam & Eve", St. Jerome said  that the serpent was not really the devil himself, but was some cunning creature that God created. Is this so? And would Your Grace recommend this interpretation?

The Holy Book of Genesis, chapter 3 addresses The Fall of Man. In this chapter the "devil" or the name of "Satan" is not mentioned. Yet the "serpent" is a symbolic reference to the devil. Why is this? Other passages in the Holy Bible, when mentioning the "devil", identify him with the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Wisdom 2:24, John 8:44, and Revelations 12:9 and 20:2).

Prior to the creation of man, one of God's angels (sometimes referred to as Lucifer) wanted to take God's place and led an angelic rebellion against God. But Archangel Michael and his legions of angels put down the rebellion. Lucifer was then cast out of Heaven.

The leader of the fallen angels became known as "Satan" and also as the "devil." It is thought that Satan was originally the angel created and appointed by God to guard the earth, in particular the Garden of Eden (Ezekiel 28:11-19).

According to early church fathers such as St. Irenaeus of Lyons and St. Gregory of Nyssa, the satanic rebellion was a response to God's revelation of his intention to identify Himself with mankind and to exalt human nature above the angels in the incarnation and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Mystery of the Incarnation is "the self-abandonment of the Divine Person of the Word, a little lower than the angels" (Hebrews 2:7).

With regard to St. Jerome, there are many controversies concerning him and his writings. It is true that he was among the most learned Christian scholars of his day. He was among those who ardently insisted upon the importance of the classical culture and education for Christianity. Among those agreeing with him were other "Apologists" such as St. Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and St. Augustine.

Most of St. Jerome's adult life was the focus of controversy. He was either loved or admired or suspected and rejected. History records him to be of very colorful character. His sojourn into desert life was but a short-lived one. He was known to have talked more than thought at times; and his humbleness much questioned. Jerome's scholarly knowledge, though, is indisputable. I suggest reading the book, "Jerome, His Life, Writings, and Controversies," (J.N.D. Kelly, 1975) as I think you will find it very interesting reading.