Isaiah 11:8

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 11:8 presents a profoundly vivid and hopeful prophetic image of the future Messianic kingdom, illustrating a world transformed by divine peace. It depicts the most vulnerable members of society—infants and young children—interacting without harm with creatures renowned for their deadly venom, specifically asps and cockatrices. This striking imagery symbolizes a radical reversal of the enmity and danger inherent in the fallen world, portraying an era of absolute security, harmony, and the complete eradication of fear under the righteous reign of the Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the remarkable Messianic prophecy of [Isaiah chapter 11](/isaiah/11 "Isaiah 11 - The Branch from Jesse"). The preceding verses, [Isaiah 11:1-5](/isaiah/11-1-5 "Isaiah 11:1-5 - The Righteous Rule of the Branch"), introduce the "Branch from the stump of Jesse," a clear reference to the coming Messiah, whose reign will be characterized by wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord, ensuring righteous judgment. Verses [Isaiah 11:6-7](/isaiah/11-6-7 "Isaiah 11:6-7 - Peace in the Animal Kingdom") set the stage for verse 8 by depicting an astonishing transformation in the natural world, where traditional predator and prey relationships are abolished—the wolf dwells with the lamb, the leopard lies down with the young goat, and the lion eats straw like an ox. Isaiah 11:8 extends this idyllic vision of peace and harmony to human interaction with the most dangerous of creatures, specifically venomous snakes, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the Messiah's peace. This entire chapter stands in stark contrast to the preceding chapters of judgment and divine wrath, offering a beacon of eschatological hope and restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, serpents, particularly venomous ones, were symbols of danger, chaos, and death. This perception is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, most notably with the serpent's role in the Fall, as detailed in [Genesis chapter 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Humanity"). The image of children playing safely with deadly snakes would have been profoundly counter-cultural and shocking, emphasizing the miraculous nature of the prophesied peace. Historically, venomous snakes like cobras (asp) and vipers (cockatrice) posed a constant threat to agricultural communities and nomadic peoples, making their neutralization or transformation a powerful symbol of ultimate security and divine protection. The prophecy speaks to a longing for a world free from the tangible and symbolic dangers that plagued daily life, a world where even the curse pronounced in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium") is undone.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of [Isaiah chapter 11](/isaiah/11 "Isaiah 11 - The Reign of the Messiah") and specifically verse 8 is the **Messianic Peace (Shalom)**. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a holistic well-being, harmony, and security that permeates all of creation, extending even to the animal kingdom and the relationship between humans and nature. It signifies a profound **Restoration of Creation**, hinting at a return to an Edenic state where the natural order is healed and the effects of the curse are reversed, particularly concerning the enmity between humanity and the serpent. The imagery also powerfully conveys **Divine Protection and Safety**, highlighting that under the Messiah's righteous rule, even the most vulnerable will be absolutely secure, free from fear and harm. This vision ultimately points to a radical **Transformation**—a fundamental change in the very nature of creation and its inhabitants, brought about by the presence and influence of the Messiah, the "Prince of Peace" mentioned in [Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sucking child (Hebrew, _yânaq'_):** From H3243, a primitive root meaning "to suck" or, causatively, "to give milk." This term specifically refers to an infant still nursing, emphasizing extreme vulnerability and dependence. The image of such a defenseless child playing safely with a deadly serpent underscores the miraculous and profound nature of the peace described.
* **weaned child (Hebrew, _gâmal'_):** From H1580, a primitive root meaning "to treat a person (well or ill), i.e. benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to ripen, i.e. (specifically) to wean." This refers to a slightly older child, no longer nursing but still very young and vulnerable, who would typically be more mobile and curious, thus potentially more exposed to danger. Their safety further highlights the absolute security of the Messianic age.
* **play (Hebrew, _shâʻaʻ'_):** From H8173, a primitive root meaning "(in a good acceptation) to look upon (with complacency), i.e. fondle, please or amuse (self)." In this context, it clearly denotes a joyful, carefree interaction, implying delight and absence of fear, rather than a fearful or cautious encounter.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp":** This clause introduces the most vulnerable of children, an infant still dependent on its mother's milk, engaging in a carefree activity ("play") in a place of extreme danger—the "hole" or lair of an "asp," a highly venomous snake. The imagery conveys a radical transformation of nature, where the natural instincts of both predator and prey (or danger and vulnerability) are entirely subverted. The infant's safety is not due to its own strength or awareness, but to a fundamental change in the asp's nature, symbolizing a world where even inherent threats are neutralized.
* **"and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den":** This second clause parallels the first, featuring a slightly older but still very young child ("weaned child") who, with deliberate action ("put his hand"), interacts with another deadly serpent, the "cockatrice," in its "den." The act of putting one's hand into a snake's den is an act of extreme vulnerability and trust. This reinforces the comprehensive nature of the peace; it is not merely passive coexistence but active, fearless interaction, demonstrating that the venomous nature of the serpent has been utterly subdued, and fear has been completely eradicated from the human heart in this Messianic age.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 11:8 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid mental picture of peaceful coexistence between vulnerable children and deadly snakes. This powerful visual serves as a form of **Symbolism**, where the transformed behavior of the snakes symbolizes the complete eradication of evil, danger, and enmity in the Messianic kingdom. The image of infants playing with venomous reptiles is a deliberate **Hyperbole** (or poetic exaggeration), designed to emphasize the extraordinary and miraculous nature of the future peace; it is not meant to be taken as a literal biological change in snakes, but rather as a profound spiritual and environmental transformation. The verse also employs **Parallelism** through its two clauses, "sucking child...asp" and "weaned child...cockatrice," which structurally reinforce the central message of universal harmony and safety through repetition and variation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 11:8 is a profound theological statement about the nature of God's ultimate kingdom and the transformative power of the Messiah's reign. It speaks to a restoration that goes beyond human societal structures, reaching into the very fabric of creation itself. This vision directly addresses the brokenness introduced by the Fall, particularly the enmity between humanity and the serpent, as prophesied in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium"). The peace described is holistic, encompassing not only human-to-human relationships but also human-to-nature and even creature-to-creature interactions. It is a world where fear is replaced by absolute security, and danger by divine protection, reflecting God's original design for harmony and flourishing. This prophetic image offers immense hope, pointing to a future where God's sovereign rule establishes a perfect and enduring peace.

* [Isaiah 2:4](/isaiah/2-4 "Isaiah 2:4 - Swords into Plowshares")
* [Isaiah 65:25](/isaiah/65-25 "Isaiah 65:25 - New Heavens and New Earth Harmony")
* [Hosea 2:18](/hosea/2-18 "Hosea 2:18 - Covenant with Animals")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 11:8 invites us to cultivate a profound sense of hope and anticipation for God's ultimate purposes. In a world often characterized by conflict, fear, and natural dangers, this verse provides a divine counter-narrative—a vision of perfect peace and security under God's righteous rule. It encourages us to look beyond the present brokenness and to trust in the Lord's sovereign power to redeem and restore all things. This prophecy challenges us to live in light of that future hope, fostering peace and reconciliation in our own spheres of influence, even as we await its full realization. It reminds us that true security comes not from controlling our environment, but from resting in God's protective hand and participating in His redemptive work, however small our part may seem. The imagery of vulnerable children protected by divine power also speaks to God's tender care for the weak and His commitment to justice and safety for all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of children playing with dangerous animals challenge your understanding of peace and safety?**
* **What aspects of the current world cause you fear or anxiety, and how does this prophecy offer comfort or hope in those areas?**
* **In what ways can believers embody the principles of peace and reconciliation in their daily lives, even before the full establishment of the Messianic kingdom?**

### FAQ
**Is the prophecy in Isaiah 11:8 meant to be taken literally, implying a biological change in animals?**

Answer: While the imagery is incredibly vivid and concrete, most biblical scholars understand it as poetic and symbolic language rather than a literal biological prediction. The primary intent is to convey the profound and comprehensive nature of the peace, harmony, and security that will characterize the Messiah's reign. It signifies a reversal of the curse of sin, where enmity and danger are eradicated, and even the most vulnerable are safe. The focus is on the spiritual and environmental transformation of the world under God's perfect rule, rather than a scientific alteration of animal species. The point is that the *effect* of venomous creatures will be nullified, and fear will be absent, not necessarily that their biological nature will change.

**When will this prophecy of peace and harmony be fulfilled?**

Answer: This prophecy points to the future Messianic kingdom, often referred to as the millennium or the new heavens and new earth. While some aspects of Christ's peace are spiritually present now in believers, as promised in [John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Christ's Peace"), the full, literal fulfillment of the environmental and inter-creature harmony described in [Isaiah chapter 11](/isaiah/11 "Isaiah 11 - The Branch from Jesse") is yet to come. It awaits the second coming of Jesus Christ, when He establishes His righteous kingdom on earth, leading to a complete restoration of creation, as also described in [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heavens and New Earth").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 11:8 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, the promised "Branch from the stump of Jesse" ([Isaiah 11:1](/isaiah/11-1 "Isaiah 11:1 - The Branch from Jesse")). He is the true "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace")) whose redemptive work on the cross not only reconciles humanity to God but also initiates the reconciliation of all creation. The peace envisioned in Isaiah 11:8 is a direct consequence of Christ's victory over sin, death, and the devil, who is often symbolized by the serpent ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium"); [Revelation 12:9](/revelation/12-9 "Revelation 12:9 - The Great Dragon")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ has broken the power of the curse that brought enmity and decay into the world. While we experience spiritual peace with God now ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God")), the full realization of this cosmic harmony awaits His glorious return. It is then that creation, which groans under the weight of sin ([Romans 8:19-23](/romans/8-19-23 "Romans 8:19-23 - Creation Groans for Redemption")), will be fully liberated, and the perfect peace and security depicted in Isaiah 11:8 will become a tangible reality in the new heavens and new earth, where Christ reigns supreme and all things are made new ([Revelation 21:1-5](/revelation/21-1-5 "Revelation 21:1-5 - New Heavens and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

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.