Cockatrices

2022-10-02

Continuing the exploration of the strange animals found in the Bible, another is the cockatrice. Mythology defines a cockatrice as a hybrid between a rooster and a snake. However, we can deduct from the text that the biblical cockatrice is not the mythological creature.

1. The word for cockatrice is translated “adder” in Proverbs 23:32. “At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder” (Proverbs 23:32)
2. The parallelism used compares the cockatrice with other snakes. “And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den” (Isaiah 11:8). “Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent’s root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent” (Isaiah 14:29).
3. Cockatrices in the Bible are poisonous snakes defined as vipers. “They hatch cockatrice’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper” (Isaiah 59:5). The term cockatrice perhaps was chosen by the translators because it has eggs like one would eat but are poisonous.
4. Unlike some snakes, cockatrices cannot be charmed. “For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 8:17).

The emphasis on these snakes is that they are poisonous and dangerous. As seen in Isaiah 11:8, one day they will no longer pose a threat during the millennial kingdom.