### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **mᵉʼûwrâh**, represented by `{{H3975}}`, is defined as a **den**. Derived from a root meaning something lighted or an aperture, it specifically implies a crevice or hole belonging to a serpent. This term appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the Bible, making its single instance particularly significant.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H3975}}` is found in Isaiah's prophecy of a peaceful kingdom. The verse describes a time of profound safety, stating that "the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' **den**" [[Isaiah 11:8]]. This imagery powerfully contrasts the innocence and vulnerability of a weaned child `{{H1580}}` with the extreme danger of a serpent's lair. The child's ability to safely put `{{H1911}}` his hand `{{H3027}}` on the home of a cockatrice `{{H6848}}` illustrates a restored and harmonious creation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of `{{H3975}}` is illuminated by several related words found in its immediate context:
* `{{H2352}}` **chûwr** (hole): Used in the same verse, this word describes where a "sucking child shall play." As "the crevice of a serpent," it parallels the concept of a den and is also used elsewhere to describe places where people are snared [[Isaiah 42:22]].
* `{{H6848}}` **tsephaʻ** (cockatrice): This word identifies the venomous viper that inhabits the **den**. It is associated with a deadly bite [[Proverbs 23:32]] and is used as an instrument of divine judgment [[Jeremiah 8:17]], highlighting the danger that is being neutralized.
* `{{H3027}}` **yâd** (hand): The child's **hand** signifies direct interaction with the source of danger. While it represents vulnerability here, the word is often used to symbolize power, action, and God's protective presence ([[Ezra 8:22]], [[1 Chronicles 4:10]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H3975}}` is concentrated entirely in its symbolic function in prophecy.
* **Neutralized Danger:** A cockatrice's **den** is a symbol of lethal peril. Its use in [[Isaiah 11:8]] serves to illustrate a future state where such mortal threats are rendered completely harmless, allowing for perfect safety.
* **Prophetic Peace:** The image of a child's hand on the serpent's **den** is a potent metaphor for the peace that will define the Messiah's reign. It points to a radical transformation of the natural order where enmity is removed.
* **Innocence and Safety:** By placing the most innocent of humans—a weaned child `{{H1580}}` and a sucking child `{{H3243}}`—in proximity to the dwellings of deadly serpents, the prophecy emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this future peace.
### Summary
In summary, **mᵉʼûwrâh** `{{H3975}}` is a rare biblical term whose significance comes from its singular, powerful use. As the **den** of a deadly creature in [[Isaiah 11:8]], it is not just a location but a symbol of mortal danger. Its context within a prophecy of absolute peace transforms it from a sign of peril into a testament to a divinely restored world where even the most threatening places become safe for the most vulnerable.
TRV