מְאוּרָה
something lighted, i.e. an aperture; by implication, a crevice or hole (of a serpent)
Definition
The Hebrew noun מְאוּרָה (mᵉʼûwrâh) refers to a hole or den, specifically one that is illuminated or has an opening for light. It describes a crevice or aperture that serves as a dwelling place, most notably for a serpent. This meaning is derived from its root, which relates to light, implying a hole that is not completely dark but has some opening. Its sole biblical occurrence is in Isaiah 11:8, where it poetically describes the 'hole' or 'den' of a cobra, emphasizing a place of danger that becomes safe in the messianic age.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 11:8. It appears in a prophetic context describing the peace and safety of the messianic kingdom. The usage is metaphorical, referring to the dangerous dwelling of a venomous snake ('the cobra's den') to illustrate a transformation from peril to harmlessness. There are no other occurrences, so its usage is confined to this specific poetic and prophetic image.
Etymology
מְאוּרָה is a feminine noun derived from the root אוֹר (ʼôr, H215), meaning 'to be light' or 'to give light.' It is formed as a passive participle, literally meaning 'something lighted' or 'an illuminated place.' Over time, the meaning specialized to refer to an aperture or hole that lets in light, and by extension, a crevice or den that serves as an animal's dwelling, particularly for serpents.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word carries significant theological weight in its context. In Isaiah 11:8, the 'cobra's den' (מְאוּרָה) symbolizes a place of inherent danger and evil within the corrupted creation. Its mention in the prophecy of the peaceful messianic kingdom underscores the comprehensive nature of God's restoration—where even the most perilous threats are neutralized. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by highlighting the vivid contrast between the present world of danger and the future reign of the Messiah, who brings ultimate safety and reconciliation to all creation.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, serpents were common symbols of danger, chaos, and evil. A serpent's den or hole would have been understood as a hidden, treacherous place to be avoided. The imagery in Isaiah 11:8 would have immediately conveyed a sense of threat to the original audience. The prophet uses this culturally familiar image of a cobra's dwelling to powerfully depict the transformation under the Messiah's rule, where such places of danger become accessible and safe, a concept that would have been astonishing and hopeful.
חֹר (chor, H2356) — a general term for a hole or crevice, often in the ground or a wall, without the specific connotation of being illuminated or a serpent's dwelling. מַעֲרָבָה (maʻărâbâh, H4629) — a den or lair, typically for lions, emphasizing a wild animal's hiding place rather than an aperture for light.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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