### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʼôach**, represented by `{{H255}}`, is defined as a **doleful creature**. The term is likely derived from a word for "howler" and describes a lonesome wild animal. It is an exceedingly rare word, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single use of `{{H255}}` is found in a prophecy of desolation in Isaiah. The verse describes a fallen city where the houses will no longer be inhabited by people but instead "shall be full of **doleful creatures**" [[Isaiah 13:21]]. In this context, **ʼôach** is listed alongside other wild animals, such as "wild beasts of the desert" `{{H6728}}` and "owls" `{{H1323}}``{{H3284}}`, to paint a vivid picture of complete and utter abandonment.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words appear alongside `{{H255}}` in its context, helping to define the environment of ruin and desolation:
* `{{H6728}}` **tsîyîy** (wild beast of the desert): This term describes a desert-dweller or wild beast. It is used consistently to populate scenes of judgment and wilderness, as seen in prophecies where these creatures inhabit ruined cities [[Jeremiah 50:39]].
* `{{H1323}}` **bath** ([phrase] owl): While its primary meaning is "daughter," this word is used idiomatically for "owl." It often appears in descriptions of desolation, such as the prophecy against Babylon where owls will dwell [[Isaiah 13:21]].
* `{{H3284}}` **yaʻănâh** ([phrase] owl): Meaning "the ostrich," this word is frequently paired with `{{H1323}}` to refer to owls or other desert birds. It is associated with mourning and wilderness, with Job describing himself as "a companion to owls" [[Job 30:29]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H255}}` is tied directly to its role as a marker of divine judgment.
* **Sign of Abandonment:** The presence of **doleful creatures** in once-inhabited houses is a clear sign that a place has been forsaken by humanity and given over to the wilderness.
* **Fulfillment of Prophecy:** In Isaiah, the arrival of the **ʼôach** is a direct result of God's proclaimed judgment. The filling of houses with these creatures is a tangible outcome of a city's fall from grace [[Isaiah 13:21]].
* **Symbol of Desolation:** The word contributes to a powerful biblical motif where sin and rebellion lead to the reversal of creation, turning a civilized dwelling into a chaotic and haunted wasteland inhabited by eerie creatures.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H255}}` **ʼôach** is a highly specific term whose rarity enhances its impact. As a "doleful creature," its single appearance in scripture serves as a potent symbol of the consequences of divine judgment. It vividly illustrates how a place of human pride can be transformed into a desolate home for wild beasts, marking the finality of its ruin as prophesied in Isaiah [[Isaiah 13:21]].
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