Cobras, known for their distinctive hood and potent venom, are a type of snake that has captured human imagination and fear throughout history. In the context of the Bible, cobras are often associated with danger, evil, and the consequences of sin. While the specific term "cobra" is not always used in English translations, the Hebrew word "pethen" is frequently translated as "cobra" or "asp" in various versions of the Bible, including the Berean Standard Bible .

Biblical References:

1. Psalm 58:4 : "Their venom is like the poison of a serpent, like a deaf cobra that stops up its ears." This verse uses the imagery of a cobra to describe the wickedness and deceitfulness of the unrighteous. The cobra's venom symbolizes the harmful and destructive nature of their words and actions.

2. Psalm 91:13 : "You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent." Here, the cobra represents a formidable threat that the faithful will overcome through divine protection. This verse is often interpreted as a promise of God's safeguarding presence against both physical and spiritual dangers.

3. Isaiah 11:8 : "The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest." In this prophetic vision of the Messianic age, the cobra is depicted as a creature that will no longer pose a threat. The imagery suggests a future time of peace and harmony in which natural enmities are reconciled.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In the Bible, cobras are emblematic of danger and the lurking presence of evil. Their venomous nature is often used metaphorically to describe the harmful effects of sin and the deceit of the wicked. The cobra's ability to strike unexpectedly serves as a warning of the sudden and destructive consequences of turning away from God's commandments.

The promise of protection from cobras, as seen in Psalm 91:13, is a testament to God's power and faithfulness. It reassures believers that, despite the presence of evil, they can rely on divine intervention and strength to overcome adversities.

Isaiah's vision of a child playing safely near a cobra's den is a powerful image of the transformative peace that will characterize the reign of the Messiah. It reflects the hope of a restored creation where fear and harm are eradicated, and harmony prevails.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, snakes, including cobras, were both feared and revered. They were often associated with deities and were symbols of protection and healing in some cultures. However, in the biblical narrative, snakes are predominantly seen as representations of evil, most notably in the account of the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3).

The cobra's presence in biblical texts highlights the tension between the natural world's dangers and the assurance of God's sovereignty and protection. This duality serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle between good and evil and the ultimate victory promised to those who remain faithful to God.6620. pethen -- (a venomous serpent) perhaps cobra
... cobra. Word Origin from an unused word Definition (a venomous serpent) perhaps
cobra NASB Word Usage cobra (3), cobras (3). adder. ...
/hebrew/6620.htm - 6k

Kept from Iniquity
... This is a dreadful possession to have in the house; a man had better have a cage
of cobras than have an iniquity, yet we have each of us to deal at home with ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/kept from iniquity.htm

The Alarum
... If professors were awake, they would see their danger, and avoid sinful amusements
and ungodly associations, as men fly from fierce tigers or deadly cobras. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the alarum.htm

Down the Islands
... For no one who puts the mere dread out of his mind will call the Cobras ugly, even
anything but beautiful; nor, again, the deadly Coral snake of Trinidad ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter ii down the islands.htm

Cobras (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Cobras (3 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 32:33 Their wine is
the poison of serpents, The cruel venom of asps. (See NAS NIV). ...
/c/cobras.htm - 6k

Cobra (5 Occurrences)

/c/cobra.htm - 7k

Cobra's (1 Occurrence)

/c/cobra's.htm - 6k

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