Isaiah 34:11
But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness.
Original Language Analysis
וִירֵשׁ֙וּהָ֙
shall possess
H3423
וִירֵשׁ֙וּהָ֙
shall possess
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
1 of 13
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
וְקִפּ֔וֹד
and the bittern
H7090
וְקִפּ֔וֹד
and the bittern
Strong's:
H7090
Word #:
3 of 13
a species of bird, perhaps the bittern (from its contracted form)
וְיַנְשׁ֥וֹף
it the owl
H3244
וְיַנְשׁ֥וֹף
it the owl
Strong's:
H3244
Word #:
4 of 13
an unclean (acquatic) bird; probably the heron (perhaps from its blowing cry, or because the nightheron is meant)
יִשְׁכְּנוּ
shall dwell
H7931
יִשְׁכְּנוּ
shall dwell
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
6 of 13
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
וְנָטָ֥ה
in it and he shall stretch out
H5186
וְנָטָ֥ה
in it and he shall stretch out
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
8 of 13
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
עָלֶ֛יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֛יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
קַֽו
upon it the line
H6957
קַֽו
upon it the line
Strong's:
H6957
Word #:
10 of 13
a cord (as connecting), especially for measuring; figuratively, a rule; also a rim, a musical string or accord
Cross References
Lamentations 2:8The LORD hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion: he hath stretched out a line, he hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying: therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament; they languished together.2 Kings 21:13And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down.Zephaniah 2:14And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work.Revelation 18:2And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.Isaiah 14:23I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts.
Historical Context
Ancient rulers used measuring lines to plan cities and temples. God uses them ironically to measure out destruction, a concept repeated in Lamentations 2:8.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the reversal to chaos demonstrate that blessing and order flow from obedience to God?
- What does this teach about the nature of life apart from God?
- How should this shape our understanding of society's moral chaos when it rejects God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The "cormorant and bittern" (unclean birds) inhabiting ruins symbolizes defilement and desolation. The "line of confusion" and "stones of emptiness" invert creation's ordering process (Genesis 1), applying chaos measurements instead of purposeful design. The Hebrew "tohu" (confusion) and "bohu" (emptiness) are the same terms describing pre-creation chaos. This de-creation imagery shows that God's judgment returns rebellion to primordial chaos.