Isaiah 32:14

KJV

Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks;

KJV (with Strong's)

Because the palaces {H759} shall be forsaken {H5203}; the multitude {H1995} of the city {H5892} shall be left {H5800}; the forts {H6076} and towers {H975} shall be for dens {H4631} for {H5704} ever {H5769}, a joy {H4885} of wild asses {H6501}, a pasture {H4829} of flocks {H5739};

Complete Jewish Bible

For the palace will be abandoned, the crowded city deserted, 'Ofel and fortress wastelands forever, a delight for wild donkeys and a pasture for flocks

Berean Standard Bible

For the palace will be forsaken, the busy city abandoned. The hill and the watchtower will become caves forever— the delight of wild donkeys and a pasture for flocks—

American Standard Version

For the palace shall be forsaken; the populous city shall be deserted; the hill and the watch-tower shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 32:14 vividly prophesies a profound desolation that will befall the land of Judah, specifically its urban centers and symbols of human power and security. Palaces, once grand and bustling, will be abandoned, and the multitude of the city will vanish, leaving behind empty spaces. Forts and towers, built for defense and vigilance, will decay into mere dens for wild animals, becoming a playground for wild asses and a grazing ground for flocks. This stark imagery underscores the transient nature of human achievements and the severe consequences of spiritual complacency, setting the stage for a future divine intervention and restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 32 is a prophetic oracle that masterfully weaves together themes of judgment and restoration, presenting a stark contrast between the consequences of human pride and the promise of divine renewal. The preceding verses ([Isaiah 32:9-13](/isaiah/32-9-13 "Isaiah 32:9-13 - Warning to Complacent Women")) directly address the complacent women of Jerusalem and Judah, warning them of impending desolation due to their spiritual apathy, false sense of security, and reliance on material prosperity rather than on God. Verse 14 serves as a concrete and graphic manifestation of this promised judgment, detailing the extent of the abandonment and decay that will transform the urban landscape into a wilderness. Crucially, this severe pronouncement of desolation is not the final word. The very next verse, [Isaiah 32:15](/isaiah/32-15 "Isaiah 32:15 - The Spirit Poured Out from On High"), pivots dramatically to a promise of spiritual renewal and blessing, where "the Spirit be poured upon us from on high," leading to a transformed land of righteousness, peace, and security. Thus, verse 14 highlights the severity of the judgment that precedes and necessitates this divine outpouring and subsequent restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Isaiah 32:14 is set against the backdrop of 8th-century BCE Judah, a period marked by significant political instability and the looming threat of the powerful Assyrian Empire. During the reign of King Hezekiah, Jerusalem and other fortified cities were considered bastions of security and prosperity, representing the pinnacle of Judahite civilization. Palaces (`ʼarmôwn`) symbolized royal power, national wealth, and the stability of the ruling elite, while forts (`ʻôphel`) and towers (`bachan`) represented military strength, urban defense, and human ingenuity in securing the populace. The people of Judah, despite prophetic warnings from Isaiah, often placed their trust in these human constructs and political alliances with nations like Egypt, rather than in the sovereign power of God. The imagery of these grand structures being abandoned and reclaimed by wild animals—specifically "wild asses" (`pereʼ`), creatures of the untamed wilderness known for their untamed nature and preference for desolate regions—would have been a profoundly shocking and culturally resonant depiction of utter societal collapse, divine judgment, and a complete reversal of the established order, signifying a return to primeval chaos.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 32:14 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Isaiah, reinforcing the prophet's core message. Firstly, it emphasizes the **Profound Desolation** that results from divine judgment, illustrating the comprehensive and transformative nature of God's wrath against human complacency and sin, extending even to the symbols of their greatest achievements. Secondly, it highlights the **Transience of Human Achievement and Security**, demonstrating that even the most impressive and seemingly impregnable human constructions—palaces, forts, and towers—are ultimately vulnerable, temporary, and subject to decay when God's judgment falls. This theme is echoed throughout Isaiah, such as in warnings against trusting in chariots and horses instead of the Lord ([Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt")). Thirdly, the verse vividly portrays a **Reversal of Order**, where once-thriving urban centers are transformed into a desolate wilderness, symbolizing the complete breakdown of societal norms, human control, and the established order, as seen in other prophecies of abandonment and ruin ([Isaiah 6:11-12](/isaiah/6-11-12 "Isaiah 6:11-12 - The Desolation of the Land")). Finally, while the desolation is a consequence of human sin, it is implicitly understood as orchestrated or permitted by God, underscoring His **Divine Sovereignty** over nations and their destinies, a central and recurring theme in Isaiah's prophetic message.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **forsaken (Hebrew, _nâṭash'_):** This primitive root properly means "to pound" or "smite," but by implication, it conveys the sense of "to disperse," "to thrust off, down, out or upon," or "to reject, let alone, permit, remit." In Isaiah 32:14, it conveys a strong sense of complete abandonment and desertion. The palaces are not merely empty but actively "forsaken," implying a deliberate act of divine judgment that leaves them utterly desolate and uninhabited by humans, stripped of their former purpose and glory.
* **dens (Hebrew, _mᵉʻârâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be dark," this word refers to a cavern, cave, or hole. Its use here is highly significant, indicating a profound transformation of once-grand human dwellings and defensive structures into crude, dark shelters suitable only for wild animals. This imagery underscores the complete degradation and wildness that will overtake the urban landscape, a stark and humiliating contrast to its former glory and human purpose.
* **wild asses (Hebrew, _pereʼ'_):** This term denotes the onager, a species of wild ass known for its untamed, free-roaming nature and its preferred habitat in desolate, uncultivated regions. Their presence in what were once bustling cities and palaces signifies the ultimate triumph of wilderness over civilization, emphasizing the complete reversal of order. It highlights the profound desolation that will render the land uninhabitable for humans, as creatures of the wild reclaim the symbols of human dominion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because the palaces shall be forsaken;":** This initial clause pronounces the abandonment of the grandest human structures, which were symbols of power, luxury, and national pride. The "palaces" (Hebrew: `ʼarmôwn`) represent the centers of human authority, wealth, and architectural achievement. Their complete desertion highlights the futility and transience of trusting in earthly grandeur and the comprehensive nature of the impending judgment.
* **"the multitude of the city shall be left;":** This phrase further emphasizes the emptying of urban centers. "Multitude" (Hebrew: `hâmôwn`) refers to the bustling population, vibrant activity, and collective life of the city. To be "left" (Hebrew: `ʻâzab`) signifies that the inhabitants will have departed, been removed, or perished, leaving the city desolate, silent, and devoid of human life and communal function.
* **"the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, ":** This part describes the decay and transformation of defensive structures. "Forts" (Hebrew: `ʻôphel`) and "towers" (Hebrew: `bachan`), built for security, vigilance, and protection, will become "dens" (Hebrew: `mᵉʻârâh`), dark caverns suitable only for wild animals. The phrase "for ever" (Hebrew: `ʻad ʻôwlâm`) indicates a long and enduring period of desolation, not necessarily a literal eternity, but a significant, lasting state of abandonment that would feel permanent before any potential restoration.
* **"a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks;":** This final clause vividly illustrates the complete reversal of order and the extent of the desolation. What was once a human-controlled urban environment will become a habitat for "wild asses" (Hebrew: `pereʼ`), untamed creatures of the wilderness, and a "pasture" (Hebrew: `mirʻeh`) for "flocks" (Hebrew: `ʻêder`), signifying that nature will reclaim the land. This imagery underscores the comprehensive nature of the judgment, transforming former cities into untamed grazing grounds, highlighting the breakdown of human civilization and the triumph of the wild.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 32:14 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of profound desolation and divine judgment. **Imagery** is central, painting a vivid and unsettling picture of abandoned palaces, empty cities, and decaying defensive structures overrun by wild animals. This rich sensory detail allows the audience to fully visualize and comprehend the extent of the destruction and the reversal of order. **Contrast** is effectively used by juxtaposing the former glory, purpose, and human-centric function of these structures (palaces, forts, and towers) with their future state as "dens" and "pasture" for untamed creatures. This highlights the dramatic and humiliating reversal of human dominion and the complete breakdown of societal order. The phrase "for ever" (`ʻad ʻôwlâm`) functions as **hyperbole** or **prophetic language**, indicating a long, enduring, and seemingly permanent period of desolation rather than a strict, literal eternity, a common feature in prophetic literature to emphasize the severity and duration of judgment. Finally, **Symbolism** is rich throughout the verse: "palaces," "forts," and "towers" symbolize human power, security, wealth, and achievement, representing the pinnacle of human civilization. In contrast, "wild asses" and "flocks" symbolize the untamed wilderness, chaos, and the reclaiming power of nature, representing the ultimate triumph of divine judgment over human pride and self-reliance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 32:14 serves as a profound theological statement on divine judgment and the transient nature of earthly security. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty over human affairs, demonstrating that even the most formidable human constructions and societal achievements are utterly vulnerable to His righteous decree. The desolation described is a direct consequence of Judah's spiritual complacency, a stark reminder that true security and prosperity do not lie in material wealth, military might, or urban fortifications, but in faithful reliance on God. This passage highlights the principle that persistent rebellion, spiritual apathy, and a misplaced trust in human endeavors inevitably lead to severe consequences, where God allows the very foundations of human pride to crumble. Yet, within the broader prophetic context of Isaiah, this judgment is often a prelude to a deeper work of spiritual renewal and restoration, emphasizing that God's ultimate purpose is redemptive, even through the crucible of desolation.

* [Jeremiah 9:11](/jeremiah/9-11 "Jeremiah 9:11 - Desolation of Jerusalem") - "And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant."
* [Micah 3:12](/micah/3-12 "Micah 3:12 - Zion Plowed Like a Field") - "Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest."
* [Luke 21:20-24](/luke/21-20-24 "Luke 21:20-24 - Jesus Prophesies Jerusalem's Destruction") - "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh... For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 32:14 offers a timeless and sobering warning to all generations, urging us to profoundly examine where we place our ultimate trust and security. In a world that often prioritizes material wealth, technological advancement, impressive human achievements, and self-sufficiency, this verse serves as a stark reminder that all earthly structures and systems are ultimately temporary, vulnerable to decay, and subject to both natural processes and divine judgment. It challenges us to critically consider our own "palaces," "forts," and "towers"—whether they be financial portfolios, career successes, social status, intellectual prowess, or even our physical health and personal relationships—and to honestly ask if we are placing undue reliance on them instead of on the unchanging character, unfailing promises, and sovereign power of God. The desolation described is a direct consequence of spiritual apathy, a failure to heed divine warnings, and a misplaced trust. Therefore, this passage calls us to spiritual vigilance, to cultivate a deep, abiding, and active dependence on God, recognizing that true and lasting security, peace, and significance come only from Him. It encourages us to live lives rooted in faith, humility, and obedience, understanding that while judgment may come, God's ultimate plan is always one of redemption and renewal for those who turn to Him in repentance and trust.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "palaces" or "forts" in my life do I tend to rely on more than God for security, significance, or identity?**
* **How does the transient nature of human achievements and the inevitability of decay, as depicted in this verse, challenge my current priorities and values?**
* **In what specific ways might spiritual complacency manifest in my own life, and what are its potential long-term consequences for my walk with God?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more consistent, and unwavering trust in God's sovereignty and provision, even when earthly securities seem to crumble or fail?**

### FAQ
**Is the "for ever" in Isaiah 32:14 meant to be a literal eternity?**

Answer: In prophetic literature, the Hebrew phrase `ʻad ʻôwlâm` (translated "for ever" or "everlasting") often denotes a significant, enduring, and indefinite period rather than a strict, literal eternity without end. In the context of Isaiah 32, it signifies a long-lasting and profound state of desolation that would precede a future restoration. This is evident from the very next verse, [Isaiah 32:15](/isaiah/32-15 "Isaiah 32:15 - The Spirit Poured Out from On High"), which promises a transformative change when "the Spirit be poured upon us from on high," leading to renewed righteousness and peace. Therefore, "for ever" emphasizes the severity and duration of the judgment, highlighting that the desolation would be so complete and prolonged that it would feel permanent, but it does not preclude God's ultimate plan for restoration and renewal.

**What is the significance of "wild asses" and "flocks" inhabiting the city?**

Answer: The imagery of "wild asses" (`pereʼ`) and "flocks" (`ʻêder`) inhabiting what were once bustling cities, palaces, and forts is highly symbolic and deeply impactful. "Wild asses" are creatures of the untamed wilderness, known for their freedom, their untamable nature, and their preference for desolate, uncultivated areas. Their presence signifies a complete **reversal of order**, where human civilization has collapsed, and untamed nature has aggressively reclaimed the urban landscape. It underscores the profound **desolation** and **emptiness** of the once-populated centers, demonstrating that the land has become utterly uninhabitable for humans. This vivid picture emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the divine judgment, transforming symbols of human control, prosperity, and security into a wild, untamed pasture, highlighting the futility of human endeavors and pride apart from God's blessing and sustaining power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 32:14, with its stark portrayal of desolation and the transient nature of human constructs, ultimately points to the profound need for a divine deliverer and an everlasting kingdom, finding its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The forsaking of human palaces and the decay of earthly towers underscore the universal truth that all human institutions and achievements are temporary and futile unless grounded in God's eternal purposes, echoing the wisdom that "unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain" ([Psalm 127:1](/psalm/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord Builds the House")). Christ, however, offers an unshakeable kingdom, a spiritual "fortress" that will never be forsaken or left desolate. He is the true "palace" of God, the dwelling place where God's glory resides, not in man-made structures, but in His very person ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), [Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Deity in Christ")). The "Spirit poured out from on high" mentioned in the subsequent verse ([Isaiah 32:15](/isaiah/32-15 "Isaiah 32:15 - The Spirit Poured Out from On High")) finds its climactic fulfillment in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost")), through which believers are brought into God's eternal kingdom, a "city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God" ([Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - The City with Foundations")). In Christ, we find the ultimate "pasture" and security, for He is the Good Shepherd who leads His flock to abundant life, ensuring that they will never be lost or abandoned to the wild, but are held securely in His hand ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd"), [John 10:27-28](/john/10-27-28 "John 10:27-28 - My Sheep Hear My Voice")). Thus, the desolation of Isaiah 32:14 serves as a powerful backdrop, highlighting the eternal, unshakable, and redemptive hope found only in Christ and His everlasting dominion ([Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - 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

Isaiah 25:2

For thou hast made of a city an heap; [of] a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.

Isaiah 24:10

The city of confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may come in.

Isaiah 24:12

In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.

Isaiah 27:10

Yet the defenced city [shall be] desolate, [and] the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.

Luke 21:20

¶ And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

Isaiah 5:9

In mine ears [said] the LORD of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, [even] great and fair, without inhabitant.

Isaiah 6:11

Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,