Isaiah 13:21
But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.
Original Language Analysis
וְרָבְצוּ
shall lie
H7257
וְרָבְצוּ
shall lie
Strong's:
H7257
Word #:
1 of 13
to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); by implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed
שָׁ֣ם
H8033
צִיִּ֔ים
But wild beasts of the desert
H6728
צִיִּ֔ים
But wild beasts of the desert
Strong's:
H6728
Word #:
3 of 13
a desert-dweller, i.e., nomad or wild beast
וּמָלְא֥וּ
shall be full
H4390
וּמָלְא֥וּ
shall be full
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
4 of 13
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
בָתֵּיהֶ֖ם
there and their houses
H1004
בָתֵּיהֶ֖ם
there and their houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 13
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְשָׁ֤כְנוּ
shall dwell
H7931
וְשָׁ֤כְנוּ
shall dwell
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
7 of 13
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
שָׁם֙
H8033
בְּנ֣וֹת
and owls
H1323
בְּנ֣וֹת
and owls
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
9 of 13
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
וּשְׂעִירִ֖ים
there and satyrs
H8163
וּשְׂעִירִ֖ים
there and satyrs
Strong's:
H8163
Word #:
11 of 13
shaggy; as noun, a he-goat; by analogy, a faun
Historical Context
Ancient travelers' accounts confirm Babylon's ruins became home to jackals, owls, and other desert creatures. Archaeological sites show how once-grand palaces became animal habitats. The imagery of wild animals in human ruins appears throughout prophetic literature as judgment symbol (Isaiah 34:13-14; Zephaniah 2:14). Babylon's transformation from world capital to wildlife refuge validates prophetic accuracy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does transformation from human civilization to animal habitat illustrate judgment's completeness?
- What does this reversal teach about the temporary nature of human achievement apart from God?
- How do abandoned ruins throughout history witness to the certainty of divine judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Babylon's ruins will be inhabited only by wild beasts—'wild beasts of the desert,' 'doleful creatures,' 'owls,' and 'satyrs' (wild goats). This complete reversal from human habitation to animal occupation emphasizes desolation's totality. What once echoed with human voices now hosts only animal cries. The listing of specific creatures paints a vivid picture of abandonment. This demonstrates that God's judgment transforms centers of civilization into wilderness, reversing human dominion where it opposed divine purposes.