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

ISAIAH 11:8KJV
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Isaiah 11:8 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 11:8 mean?

Isaiah 11:8 describes a scene where very young children safely play near the dens of dangerous snakes, showing a world where harm and fear are gone. This verse uses the image of a nursing child by an asp’s hole and a weaned child reaching into a cockatrice’s den to picture complete peace and safety.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel, describing a future time of restoration and harmony under God’s rule. In this vision, even the most vulnerable—babies and small children—are safe from harm, including from creatures that would normally be deadly. This is part of a larger passage painting a picture of a renewed world where natural enemies live in peace.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 11:8

  • The word for "asp" (פֶּתֶן, peten) refers to a venomous snake, often understood as a cobra, highlighting the real danger that would normally exist.
  • "Cockatrice" (צִפְעֹנִי, tsiph‘oni) is another word for a poisonous serpent, sometimes translated as "adder" or "viper," again emphasizing the threat that is being removed in this vision.
  • The word for "play" (שָׁעַע, sha‘a‘) means to amuse oneself or play, showing the innocence and lack of fear the child has in this new reality.
  • "Den" (מְעוּרָה, me‘urah) means a hole or lair, the actual home of the snake, stressing that the child is not just near danger but right at its source, yet remains unharmed.

Why Isaiah 11:8 matters

  • This verse clears up the misunderstanding that the peace described is only symbolic; the language is vivid and concrete, showing a dramatic reversal of natural dangers.
  • Isaiah 11:8 emphasizes the depth of transformation in God’s promised future—peace reaches even to the most dangerous places and the most vulnerable people.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage’s theme of a restored creation, where not just people but all of nature is at peace under God’s reign.

Where else these words appear

“hole” Hebrew H2352 · used in 2 verses

  • Isaiah 42:22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.

“cockatrice'” Hebrew H6848 · used in 5 verses

  • Proverbs 23:32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
  • Isaiah 14:29 Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.
  • 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.

“asp” Hebrew H6620 · used in 6 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:33 Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.
  • Job 20:14 Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him.
  • Psalms 58:4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;

“play” Hebrew H8173 · used in 8 verses

  • Psalms 94:19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
  • Psalms 119:47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
  • Isaiah 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.