Isa 11:8 | NETfull | STEP | A baby will play over the hole of a snake; over the nest of a serpent an infant will put his hand.

Isaiah 11:8

8 A baby ^{▼▼ Heb “one sucking,” i.e., still being nursed by his mother.} will play
over the hole of a snake; ^{▼▼ Or perhaps, “cobra” (cf. NAB, NASB, NIV, NCV); KJV, ASV, NRSV “asp.”}
over the nest ^{▼▼ The Hebrew text has the otherwise unattested מְאוּרַת (m^e’urat, “place of light”), i.e., opening of a hole. Some prefer to emend to מְעָרַת (m^e’arat, “cave, den”).} of a serpent
an infant ^{▼▼ Heb “one who is weaned” (cf. KJV, ASV, NASB, NRSV).} will put his hand. ^{▼▼ The transformation of the animal kingdom depicted here typifies what will occur in human society under the just rule of the ideal king (see vv. 3–5). The categories “predator-prey” (i.e., oppressor-oppressed) will no longer exist.}