The term "cockatrice" appears in the King James Version of the Bible and is often associated with a mythical creature resembling a serpent or dragon, believed to have the power to kill with its gaze or breath. In the Berean Standard Bible, the term is translated as "viper" or "serpent," reflecting a more accurate understanding of the original Hebrew word "צִפְעוֹנִי" (tsiphoni).

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 11:8 : "The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest." Here, the term "viper" is used, symbolizing danger and enmity. The passage is part of a prophetic vision of the Messianic age, where natural hostilities are reconciled, and peace prevails. The imagery of a child playing near a viper's den underscores the transformative peace brought by the Messiah.

2. Isaiah 14:29 : "Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken, for a viper will spring from the root of a snake, and its fruit will be a flying serpent." This verse uses the imagery of a viper to convey impending judgment and destruction. The "flying serpent" or "fiery serpent" is a symbol of swift and unavoidable calamity, emphasizing the certainty of divine retribution against the Philistines.

3. Isaiah 59:5 : "They hatch viper’s eggs and weave a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die; crack one open, and a viper is hatched." This passage uses the metaphor of viper's eggs to describe the sinful and deceitful actions of the people. The imagery suggests that their wickedness leads to death and destruction, highlighting the consequences of sin.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In a figurative sense, the cockatrice or viper represents sin, danger, and judgment. The creature's deadly nature is emblematic of the destructive power of sin and the inevitable consequences that follow. The use of such imagery in prophetic and poetic texts serves to communicate the severity of divine judgment and the need for repentance.

The transformation of natural enemies into peaceful coexistence, as seen in Isaiah 11:8, symbolizes the redemptive work of the Messiah, who brings reconciliation and peace. The imagery of the viper in this context underscores the radical change that occurs in the Messianic kingdom, where even the most dangerous elements are rendered harmless.

In Isaiah 14:29 and 59:5, the viper symbolizes the inescapable nature of divine judgment. The prophetic warnings serve as a call to repentance, urging the people to turn away from their sinful ways and seek the Lord's mercy.

Theological Implications:

The figurative use of the cockatrice or viper in Scripture highlights the themes of sin, judgment, and redemption. It serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the hope of transformation through the Messiah. The imagery calls believers to reflect on their own lives, encouraging them to seek righteousness and embrace the peace offered through Christ.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.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 14:29
Rejoice not you, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote you is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 59:5
They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eats of their eggs dies, and that which is crushed breaks out into a viper.
Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 8:17
For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, said the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index

Flimsy Garments
... on the evil-doers in Israel; and, says he, 'they hatch cockatrice's eggs and ... I venture
to connect with that strongly figurative declaration of the essential ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/flimsy garments.htm

The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom
... Yet it must be allowed, that the highly figurative language in which many of these ...
of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxvii the extent of.htm

False Teachings of the Apostasy.
... asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den." In ... The wolf
dwelling with the Lamb is figurative language, and never will be literally ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter iii false teachings of.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... and Tophet, places in this country. Indeed, the whole, in a manner, was a
typical and a figurative thing. But I have, in the ensuing ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

Are any mythological creatures mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Cockatrice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus