Lexical Summary muwrah: Fear, reverence, awe Original Word: מְאוּרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance den Feminine passive participle of 'owr; something lighted, i.e. An aperture; by implication, a crevice or hole (of a serpent) -- den. see HEBREW 'owr Brown-Driver-Briggs [מְאוּרָה] noun feminine light-hole — only construct מְאוּרַת — = den of great viper Isaiah 11:8, compare מָאוֺר Mishna Ohaloth Isaiah 13:1 (others eye-ball ᵑ7 Ew De Di). Topical Lexicon Canonical SettingIn Isaiah 11 the prophet paints a sweeping portrait of the righteous Branch who springs from the stump of Jesse. Verses 6-9 climax with a vision of universal peace in which traditional predators dwell harmlessly beside their prey and small children interact safely with creatures normally feared. Within this tableau appears מְאוּרָה, the “den” or “hole” of the viper (Isaiah 11:8). The word is unique to this passage, yet its single use is sufficient to convey a wealth of meaning because it anchors the larger prophecy in an image of danger that is completely neutralized under Messiah’s reign. “Infants will play by the cobra’s den, and toddlers will reach into the viper’s nest.” (Isaiah 11:8) Imagery and Symbolism 1. Mortal Peril Transformed A serpent’s lair epitomizes concealed threat. In Scripture the serpent is the archetypal adversary (Genesis 3:1-15), embodying deceit, death, and rebellion. By selecting the viper’s den rather than an ordinary snake on open ground, Isaiah highlights the most intimate sphere of danger—the hidden place where the serpent breeds. When a weaned child places a hand there without harm, every latent menace is shown to be disarmed. 2. Reversal of the Curse The safe interaction between child and serpent echoes the promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). Isaiah portrays the consummation of that promise: the natural world, once pressed into service of the curse, is liberated. מְאוּרָה becomes a symbol of cosmic reconciliation as creation is “set free from its bondage to decay” (compare Romans 8:21). 3. Covenant Peace (Shalom) The picture surpasses mere cessation of hostilities; it depicts holistic well-being in which even instinctive enmity is removed. The prophet closes the stanza by declaring, “They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain” (Isaiah 11:9). The viper’s den is situated on that holy mountain, sanctified and rendered harmless by the presence of the Lord’s anointed King. Historical Resonance For eighth-century Judah, Isaiah’s prophecy addressed a nation besieged by foreign powers and internal apostasy. The daily reality of danger magnified the promise of a future realm where even the smallest child is secure. Ancient Near Eastern listeners, familiar with the lethality of vipers in rocky crevices, would have felt the force of the metaphor. The single occurrence of מְאוּרָה thus spoke volumes to an audience longing for deliverance. Theological Themes • Messiah’s Dominion: Only the rule of the Branch of Jesse can accomplish such radical renewal. Creation responds to its rightful King (Psalm 8:6-8; Hebrews 2:8-9). Practical Ministry Application 1. Teaching on Assurance מְאוּרָה encourages believers to trust God’s promise of ultimate safety. When ministering to those who fear unseen dangers—physical, spiritual, or emotional—the image of the child unharmed in the viper’s den provides a vivid assurance of divine protection. 2. Creation Care The passage invites stewardship of the natural world as a foretaste of the peace to come. Caring for the habitats of even feared creatures reflects confidence in God’s redemptive purpose for all creation. 3. Evangelistic Hope Pointing seekers to Isaiah 11 demonstrates that the gospel addresses not only personal sin but the brokenness of the entire cosmos. The neutralized viper’s den becomes an entryway to proclaim the victory of Christ who “has destroyed the one who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). 4. Child Discipleship The scene dignifies children as visible participants in God’s future. Churches can use the imagery to nurture faith in the young, assuring them that they are central to God’s redemptive story. Summary Though מְאוּרָה appears only once, it functions as a theological linchpin in Isaiah 11, portraying the total eradication of danger, the reversal of Eden’s curse, and the establishment of Messiah’s universal peace. From pulpit exposition to pastoral counseling, this single word furnishes a potent testimony to the scope and certainty of God’s redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations מְאוּרַ֣ת מאורת mə’ūraṯ mə·’ū·raṯ meuRatLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 11:8 HEB: פָּ֑תֶן וְעַל֙ מְאוּרַ֣ת צִפְעוֹנִ֔י גָּמ֖וּל NAS: his hand on the viper's den. KJV: his hand on the cockatrice' den. INT: of the cobra and den the viper's and the weaned 1 Occurrence |
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