Isaiah 11:8 Meaning and Explanation
“And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Children play safely near deadly serpents.
The Context of Isaiah 11:8
The peace extends even to infants among deadly beasts.
What Does Isaiah 11:8 Mean?
Asps and cockatrices (or basilisks) were deadly snakes in ancient knowledge. The infant and toddler can approach them without peril—not because the snakes are destroyed, but because the danger has been removed. A nursing baby plays at the serpent's lair with no threat of venom or death.
This is perhaps the most intimate image in the passage: human childhood restored to a paradise-like innocence, freed from fear of hidden dangers. The serpent, often a symbol of temptation and death, becomes merely a creature among others in a redeemed world.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 11:8
What does Isaiah 11:8 mean?
Children play safely near deadly serpents.
What is the context of Isaiah 11:8?
The peace extends even to infants among deadly beasts.