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.

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.

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

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

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.

Isaiah 13:21 is a powerful verse within a prophetic oracle detailing the utter destruction and desolation of Babylon, once a mighty and proud empire. It paints a vivid picture of a once-glorious city reduced to an uninhabitable wasteland, overrun by creatures of the wild and figures of eerie folklore.

Context

This verse is part of Isaiah's prophecy against Babylon, beginning in chapter 13. The prophet Isaiah, writing centuries before Babylon's ultimate fall, describes the terrifying judgment God would bring upon this powerful nation for its pride, cruelty, and oppression of God's people, Israel. The imagery in this chapter is apocalyptic, foretelling a complete reversal of Babylon's grandeur. Verses like 21 emphasize the extent of this desolation, portraying a land so utterly ruined that only wild and mournful creatures inhabit it, a stark contrast to its former bustling glory. This prophecy finds its historical fulfillment in the eventual conquest of Babylon by the Medes and Persians, and its subsequent gradual decline into ruin, as also foretold in Jeremiah 50-51.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty over nations and His willingness to bring judgment upon those who defy Him and oppress His people. Babylon's fall serves as a sobering example of divine justice.
  • Utter Desolation: The imagery of wild beasts, doleful creatures, owls, and satyrs vividly conveys complete ruin. This isn't just a military defeat but an irreversible transformation into a desolate, uninhabitable place, a common theme in prophecies of judgment on wicked cities (e.g., Revelation 18:2 concerning "Babylon the Great").
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse highlights the reliability of God's prophetic word. What Isaiah foretold came to pass, demonstrating God's foreknowledge and control over history.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Doleful creatures" (Hebrew: אוֹחִים, 'oḥim): This term is often translated as hyenas or jackals, animals known for their mournful cries, further emphasizing the eerie silence and despair of the desolate city.
  • "Owls" (Hebrew: בְּנוֹת יַעֲנָה, b'not ya'anah): Literally "daughters of the ostrich," which can also refer to ostriches or other large, desert-dwelling birds with a reputation for making mournful sounds. Their presence signifies an abandonment of human habitation.
  • "Satyrs" (Hebrew: שְׂעִירִים, s'irim): This word literally means "hairy ones" or "he-goats." In ancient Near Eastern thought and folklore, these could represent goat-demons, wild spirits, or even literal wild goats. Their mention adds to the sense of a place not only abandoned by humans but also given over to pagan or demonic influences, becoming a haunt for beings associated with the wild and the unholy, a place where human order has completely collapsed.

Practical Application

Isaiah 13:21 reminds us that no earthly power, no matter how great or seemingly invincible, is beyond God's judgment. It serves as a powerful warning against pride, oppression, and reliance on worldly strength rather than on God. For believers, it offers comfort, knowing that God sees injustice and will ultimately bring about His perfect justice. It also encourages us to fix our hope not on fleeting earthly kingdoms, but on the eternal kingdom of God, which alone will endure (Hebrews 12:28). The desolation described here underscores the temporary nature of all human achievements apart from God's blessing.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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