Isaiah 13:21

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But wild beasts of the desert {H6728} shall lie {H7257} there; and their houses {H1004} shall be full {H4390} of doleful creatures {H255}; and owls {H1323}{H3284} shall dwell {H7931} there, and satyrs {H8163} shall dance {H7540} there.

Complete Jewish Bible

But wildcats will lie there, their houses will be full of owls, ostriches will live there, and wild goats will dance there.

Berean Standard Bible

But desert creatures will lie down there, and howling creatures will fill her houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about.

American Standard Version

But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and ostriches shall dwell there, and wild goats shall dance there.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 13:21 is a stark prophetic declaration of the complete and irreversible desolation awaiting Babylon, once the magnificent capital of a dominant empire. It vividly portrays a city stripped of its human inhabitants and bustling life, transformed into a desolate wilderness where only wild, mournful, and even mythical creatures reside and roam. This verse serves as a powerful testament to divine judgment, illustrating the ultimate reversal of human pride and power by God's sovereign hand, reducing a symbol of earthly glory to a haunt of the wild and the eerie.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the "Oracle concerning Babylon" found in [Isaiah 13](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - The Oracle Concerning Babylon"). The chapter opens with a dramatic call for nations to gather for war against Babylon, portraying the Lord as mustering His army for judgment ([Isaiah 13:2-5](/isaiah/13-2 "Isaiah 13:2-5 - God Gathers His Army")). The prophecy describes a "day of the Lord" that is near, characterized by cosmic disturbances, terror, and utter destruction ([Isaiah 13:6-13](/isaiah/13-6 "Isaiah 13:6-13 - The Day of the Lord's Wrath")). The immediate verses leading up to [Isaiah 13:21](/isaiah/13-21 "Isaiah 13:21 - Desolation of Babylon") emphasize the complete abandonment of Babylon by its inhabitants, who flee in terror, and the city's transformation into a place where even nomads will not pitch their tents, nor shepherds make their folds ([Isaiah 13:20](/isaiah/13-20 "Isaiah 13:20 - Babylon to Be Uninhabited")). Verse 21 then intensifies this imagery, populating the ruins with creatures that signify the ultimate triumph of wildness and desolation over human civilization.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy against Babylon was delivered by Isaiah during a period when Assyria was the dominant world power, and Babylon was either a rebellious vassal or a rising power. While Babylon would not reach its imperial zenith until the Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar, which would conquer Judah and exile its people, Isaiah's prophecy anticipates this future ascendancy and subsequent catastrophic fall. The imagery of wild beasts and desolate ruins would have resonated strongly with ancient Near Eastern audiences, who understood such conditions as a sign of divine curse and utter abandonment. Cities were centers of order and civilization; their reduction to a haunt for wild animals and spirits represented the complete reversal of divine blessing and human achievement. The mention of "satyrs" taps into ancient folklore, where such creatures (often associated with goat-like forms or wilderness spirits) were believed to inhabit desolate, wild places, further emphasizing the pagan and chaotic nature of the city's ultimate state.
* **Key Themes:** [Isaiah 13](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - The Oracle Concerning Babylon") powerfully articulates several core themes. First, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, demonstrating God's absolute control over the rise and fall of nations. Babylon, despite its immense power and pride, is ultimately subject to God's wrath for its arrogance and oppression of His people ([Isaiah 14:4-6](/isaiah/14-4 "Isaiah 14:4-6 - The Taunt Against the King of Babylon")). Second, the chapter vividly portrays **Utter Desolation and Reversal**, depicting a once-glorious city reduced to an uninhabitable wasteland. This theme of complete ruin is a recurring motif in prophetic judgment against wicked cities, symbolizing the ultimate consequence of rebellion against God ([Jeremiah 50-51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah's Prophecy Against Babylon") and [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon the Great") offer parallel imagery). Third, the prophecy highlights the **Reliability of God's Word**, as Isaiah's foretelling of Babylon's distant future downfall would eventually be fulfilled, affirming God's foreknowledge and faithfulness to His declarations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wild beasts of the desert (Hebrew, _tsîyîy'_):** From the same root as "dry land" or "desert," this term refers to a desert-dweller, specifically a nomad or wild beast. In this context, it signifies creatures typically found in desolate, uninhabited regions, emphasizing the transformation of a bustling city into a wilderness. Their presence underscores the complete absence of human life and the return of the land to its primal, untamed state.
* **Doleful creatures (Hebrew, _ʼôach'_):** This word likely derives from a root meaning "to howl" or "to lament." It refers to a howler or a lonesome wild animal, often identified as a hyena or jackal, known for their mournful cries. Their presence in Babylon's houses signifies not just abandonment but a pervasive sense of eerie silence, despair, and the sounds of desolation replacing the sounds of human activity.
* **Satyrs (Hebrew, _sâʻîyr'_):** Literally meaning "hairy ones" or "he-goats," this term can refer to literal goats but in prophetic and poetic contexts, it often alludes to goat-demons or wild, shaggy spirits associated with pagan worship and desolate places. Their "dancing" in the ruins suggests a complete surrender of the city to wild, unholy, or even demonic influences, symbolizing the ultimate breakdown of order and the triumph of the chaotic and the profane.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there;":** This clause immediately establishes the dramatic reversal of Babylon's status. Instead of human inhabitants, the city will be occupied by wild animals native to the desert. The verb "lie" (Hebrew, _râbats'_) suggests a permanent state of resting or crouching, indicating that these creatures will not merely pass through but will make the ruins their dwelling place, signifying utter and permanent abandonment by humans.
* **"and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures;":** The focus shifts to the intimate spaces of human habitation—the houses. These once-vibrant homes will be "full" (Hebrew, _mâlêʼ'_) not with families, but with creatures known for their mournful sounds, such as hyenas or jackals. This imagery intensifies the sense of desolation, transforming places of warmth and life into echoing chambers of lament and decay.
* **"and owls shall dwell there, ":** The mention of "owls" (Hebrew, _bath_ and _yaʻănâh'_ – "daughter of the ostrich" or ostrich itself, often associated with mournful cries and desolate places) further emphasizes the eerie quiet and abandonment. Owls are nocturnal birds, often associated with ruins and darkness, reinforcing the idea that the city has become a place of gloom and desolation, devoid of the light and activity of human life. The verb "dwell" (Hebrew, _shâkan'_) again reinforces the permanent residency of these creatures.
* **"and satyrs shall dance there.":** This is perhaps the most striking and unsettling image. "Satyrs" (Hebrew, _sâʻîyr'_, "hairy ones" or goat-demons) are figures from ancient folklore associated with wildness, paganism, and often chaos. Their "dancing" (Hebrew, _râqad'_, to spring about wildly or for joy) in the ruins suggests a grotesque celebration of Babylon's downfall, a final, chilling sign that the city has not only been abandoned by humans but has been given over to unholy, chaotic forces, becoming a haunt for the supernatural and the profane.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 13:21 is rich with **Imagery**, painting a vivid and chilling picture of desolation. The contrast between Babylon's former glory and its future state as a haunt for wild creatures is stark, creating a powerful visual in the reader's mind. The specific creatures mentioned—wild beasts, doleful creatures, owls, and satyrs—are not merely descriptive but carry strong **Symbolism**. They symbolize the complete absence of human life, the triumph of wilderness over civilization, and the return of the land to a primal, even demonic, state. The "dancing" of the satyrs introduces a grotesque **Personification** or **Anthropomorphism**, giving these mythical or wild beings human-like actions that underscore the eerie, unholy nature of the city's ultimate fate. Furthermore, the cumulative effect of these images creates a sense of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the absolute and irreversible nature of Babylon's destruction, beyond mere military defeat to a state of utter, supernatural abandonment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 13:21 serves as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty over human kingdoms and His unwavering commitment to justice. Babylon, the epitome of human pride, power, and oppression, is brought low by divine decree, demonstrating that no earthly empire, no matter how formidable, can ultimately defy the will of the Almighty. This prophecy underscores the transient nature of all worldly glory and the ultimate futility of building kingdoms apart from God. It reveals a God who not only sees injustice but actively intervenes in history to bring about His righteous judgment, offering both a warning to the proud and comfort to the oppressed. The desolation described is not merely physical but spiritual, signifying a place utterly abandoned by divine favor and given over to the wildness and chaos that result from rebellion against God.

* [Jeremiah 50:39](/jeremiah/50-39 "Jeremiah 50:39 - Babylon to Be Inhabited by Wild Beasts")
* [Revelation 18:2](/revelation/18-2 "Revelation 18:2 - Babylon the Great Has Fallen")
* [Zephaniah 2:13-15](/zephaniah/2-13 "Zephaniah 2:13-15 - The Desolation of Nineveh")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 13:21 stands as a timeless reminder that all earthly power, wealth, and glory are fleeting. The fate of Babylon, once the "gold city" ([Isaiah 14:4](/isaiah/14-4 "Isaiah 14:4 - The King of Babylon's Fall")), reduced to a haunt for wild and eerie creatures, compels us to examine where we place our ultimate trust and hope. Do we invest our lives and aspirations in temporary human achievements and systems, or in the eternal, unshakable kingdom of God? This verse challenges our pride, warning against the arrogance that believes any human endeavor can stand impervious to divine judgment. For believers, it offers profound comfort: God sees the oppression and injustice in the world, and He will ultimately bring every proud kingdom to account. Our hope is not in the rise and fall of nations, but in the steadfast justice and enduring reign of the Lord. It calls us to live with an eternal perspective, seeking first God's kingdom and righteousness, and to actively participate in building His kingdom rather than clinging to the passing glories of this world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What modern "Babylons" or systems of pride and oppression do you see in the world today, and how might this prophecy speak to them?**
* **How does the transient nature of earthly power, as depicted in this verse, influence your personal ambitions and priorities?**
* **In what ways does the concept of divine judgment, as seen in Babylon's fall, offer you comfort or challenge in your faith?**

### FAQ
**What are "satyrs" and why are they mentioned in a biblical prophecy?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "satyrs" (H8163, _sâʻîyr'_) literally means "hairy ones" or "he-goats." While it can refer to literal wild goats, in prophetic and poetic contexts, especially when associated with desolate places and "dancing," it often alludes to goat-demons or wild, shaggy spirits from ancient Near Eastern folklore. These creatures were believed to inhabit ruins and wildernesses, often associated with pagan worship and chaos. Their mention in [Isaiah 13:21](/isaiah/13-21 "Isaiah 13:21 - Desolation of Babylon") is highly symbolic. It signifies that Babylon, once a center of human civilization and imperial power, would be so utterly desolate that it would revert to a state of primal wildness and even become a haunt for unholy, chaotic, or demonic entities. It underscores the complete breakdown of order and the triumph of the profane over the sacred, a stark judgment on a city that had defied God.

**How was this prophecy of Babylon's desolation fulfilled historically?**

Answer: Isaiah's prophecy, delivered centuries before Babylon's ultimate demise, found its fulfillment in stages. The Neo-Babylonian Empire, which conquered Judah, was itself conquered by Cyrus the Great of Persia in 539 BC, as foretold in [Isaiah 44:28-45:1](/isaiah/44-28 "Isaiah 44:28-45:1 - Cyrus, God's Anointed"). While Babylon initially remained an important city under Persian rule, it gradually declined. Subsequent revolts against Persian and later Hellenistic rulers led to its further destruction and abandonment. Alexander the Great intended to make Babylon his capital but died before doing so. Over centuries, the city's infrastructure decayed, its canals dried up, and its population dwindled. By the Roman era, it was largely a ruin. Today, the ancient site of Babylon in modern-day Iraq is indeed a desolate place, inhabited by wild animals, fulfilling Isaiah's vivid prophecy of its transformation into a wilderness, a place where "wild beasts of the desert shall lie there" ([Isaiah 13:21](/isaiah/13-21 "Isaiah 13:21 - Desolation of Babylon")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The prophecy of Babylon's desolation in [Isaiah 13:21](/isaiah/13-21 "Isaiah 13:21 - Desolation of Babylon") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. First, Babylon, in its historical and prophetic symbolism, represents the epitome of human rebellion, pride, and the worldly systems that oppose God and oppress His people. Christ, as the sovereign Lord, ultimately triumphs over all such "Babylons." His victory on the cross and resurrection broke the power of sin, death, and the spiritual forces of darkness that animate these worldly systems ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Just as literal Babylon fell, so too will all earthly kingdoms and ideologies that stand against God's rule eventually crumble before the eternal reign of Christ. The New Testament book of Revelation picks up this imagery, depicting the fall of "Babylon the Great" ([Revelation 18:2](/revelation/18-2 "Revelation 18:2 - Babylon the Great Has Fallen")), a symbolic representation of the world system that opposes God, which is utterly destroyed by Christ's righteous judgment. This ultimate desolation of spiritual Babylon ushers in the new heavens and new earth, where righteousness dwells and Christ reigns supreme ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth")). Thus, Isaiah's prophecy of desolation foreshadows the comprehensive and final victory of the Lamb of God over all forces of evil, establishing an eternal kingdom that will never be destroyed ([Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man's Everlasting Dominion")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 18:2

And 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 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.

Isaiah 34:15

There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.