Isaiah 11:8

And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.

And the sucking child {H3243} shall play {H8173} on the hole {H2352} of the asp {H6620}, and the weaned child {H1580} shall put {H1911} his hand {H3027} on the cockatrice {H6848}' den {H3975}.

An infant will play on a cobra's hole, a toddler put his hand in a viper's nest.

The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest.

And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.

Commentary

Isaiah 11:8 is a powerful and vivid prophetic image, painting a picture of extraordinary peace and safety in the future Messianic kingdom. It describes a world where the most vulnerable – infants and young children – are completely unharmed by creatures known for their deadly venom, symbolizing a complete reversal of the dangers and enmity present in the current fallen world.

Context

This verse is part of a profound Messianic prophecy found in Isaiah chapter 11, which outlines the righteous and peaceful reign of the "Branch" or "Root of Jesse" (the Messiah). The preceding verses (Isaiah 11:6-7) already illustrate a radical transformation of the natural world, where natural enemies like wolves and leopards dwell peacefully with lambs and goats, and even a lion eats straw like an ox. Verse 8 extends this incredible harmony to humanity's interaction with dangerous reptiles, emphasizing a profound transformation of creation. This vision stands in stark contrast to the judgment and destruction described in earlier chapters of Isaiah, offering a profound hope for the future.

Key Themes

  • Messianic Peace (Shalom): The central theme is the deep, holistic peace that will characterize the Messiah's reign. This isn't merely the absence of conflict, but a pervasive well-being and harmony that extends to all of creation.
  • Restoration of Creation: The imagery points to a restoration of the natural order to a state reminiscent of Eden, where danger, enmity, and fear between creatures are abolished. It suggests a reversal of the curse introduced by sin, particularly concerning the serpent (see Genesis 3:15).
  • Divine Protection and Safety: The powerful imagery of vulnerable children interacting safely with deadly snakes highlights absolute security under God's righteous rule. This signifies an era where fear is removed, and divine protection is absolute for humanity.
  • Transformation: The prophecy implies a fundamental change, not just in behavior, but in the very nature of creation, brought about by the presence and influence of the Messiah.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "asp" for the Hebrew word pethen (פֶתֶן), which is commonly identified as a cobra or Egyptian cobra, known for its potent venom. The term "cockatrice" translates the Hebrew tsepha or tsiph'oni (צֶפַע / צִפְעֹנִי), generally understood as a viper or adder – another highly venomous snake. While "cockatrice" in medieval lore referred to a mythical serpent with a deadly gaze, in this biblical context, it simply denotes a dangerous, venomous reptile. The choice of these specific, deadly creatures underscores the miraculous nature of the predicted peace and safety.

Prophetic Significance & Cross-References

This prophecy points forward to the future Messianic kingdom, often referred to as the millennium, or the new heavens and new earth. It echoes themes of universal peace found elsewhere in Isaiah, such as the famous prophecy of swords being beaten into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4).

Another parallel is found in Isaiah 65:25, which reiterates the imagery of predator and prey coexisting, specifically mentioning "dust shall be the serpent's meat," indicating its subdued and non-threatening nature. The ultimate fulfillment of this promise awaits the full establishment of God's perfect kingdom, where even the lingering effects of the curse are undone, leading to a state of complete harmony and safety under the reign of the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

Practical Application

  • Hope for the Future: This verse offers immense hope, reminding believers that God's ultimate plan involves a world free from fear, danger, and enmity. It encourages us to look beyond present struggles to the glorious future God has prepared.
  • Vision of Peace: It challenges us to envision and strive for peace in our own spheres of influence, reflecting God's heart for harmony, even if the full realization of this prophecy is yet to come.
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: The imagery of safety in the presence of deadly creatures underscores God's absolute power to protect and transform. It invites us to trust in His sovereign control over all things, even the most dangerous aspects of life.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
Isaiah: The Prophet of the Gospel What the Bible Says About Peace What the Bible Says About the End Times First-Century Jewish Messianic Expectations Joseph's Dilemma and the Angel's Dream

Cross-References

  • Psalms 140:3

    They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison [is] under their lips. Selah.

  • Isaiah 59:5

    They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.
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