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.
Don't celebrate, all you people of Philistia, just because the king who attacked you is gone. From that defeated enemy will come an even more dangerous ruler, like a deadly snake giving birth to an even more poisonous serpent that can fly and breathe fire.
God is warning the Philistines not to celebrate their enemy's defeat because an even more powerful and dangerous leader will rise up against them.
📚 Historical Context
This prophecy was likely given during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah (around 735-715 BC) and refers to the Philistines' premature celebration over the death or defeat of an Assyrian or Judean king. The Philistines were longtime enemies of Israel who lived along the Mediterranean coast. Isaiah is warning them that their troubles are far from over, as a more formidable enemy will arise.
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