Cockatrice

The Cockatrice: Symbol of Deadly Judgment

The cockatrice (likely a King James translation for a venomous viper or cobra) is a legendary symbol of fatal evil and inescapable judgment. It reshows danger that cannot be charmed or tamed by human means.

God warns of sending "cockatrices" which will not be charmed, meaning a judgment that no amount of negotiation or human skill can avert. It symbolizes the absolute certainty of God's decree against unrepentant sin.

The Cockatrice and the Millennium

In Isaiah's vision of the Messianic kingdom, the cockatrice appears as a pacified threat:

The "weaned child" putting his hand on the cockatrice' den signifies the complete neutralization of evil. Under Christ's reign, the most deadly aspects of creation will be rendered harmless, and fear will be abolished.

Key Bible Verses About the Cockatrice

Verses About Evil Works

Isaiah 59:5 speaks of the wicked "hatching cockatrice' eggs." This powerful metaphor suggests that the plans of the wicked are inherently deadly; to "eat" their fruit (partake in their plans) leads to death.

Verses About Judgment

Isaiah 14:29 warns Philistia not to rejoice, for out of the serpent's root will come a cockatrice. It symbolizes a compounding judgment, where one trouble leads to a worse and more deadly one.

The Cockatrice in Biblical Context

The Hebrew word Tsepha or Tsiphoni likely refers to a specific type of venomous snake, possibly the Palestinian yellow viper or the cobra. The King James translators used the medieval term "cockatrice" (a mythical beast part rooster, part serpent) to convey the extreme danger and "fiery" nature of the creature. In Scripture, it is consistently used as a superlative for danger—something worse than a common serpent.