The Hebrew word lîylîyth, represented by H3917, is defined as a night spectre or screech owl. Its meaning is derived from the word for night. This term is exceptionally rare in scripture, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse.
The sole appearance of H3917 is within a prophecy of judgment in Isaiah. The passage describes a land that has become so desolate that it is inhabited by a host of wild and solitary creatures. In this context, the screech owl is listed among other beings like the "wild beasts of the desert" and the "satyr" that will take over the ruined landscape. The verse states that "the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest" Isaiah 34:14, emphasizing that this desolate place has become its settled home.
Several related words in the surrounding text help to build this scene of desolation:
- H6728 tsîyîy (wild beast of the desert): This term describes a desert-dweller or wild beast, establishing the wilderness setting where the screech owl is found Isaiah 34:14.
- H8163 sâʻîyr (satyr): This word for a shaggy creature, translated as satyr, is mentioned in the same list of inhabitants, crying out to its fellow in the ruins Isaiah 34:14. In other contexts, it can mean devil or goat Leviticus 17:7.
- H4494 mânôwach (place of rest): This word signifies a settled spot or home. The screech owl is unique in the list for being explicitly said to find a place of rest for herself, underscoring the completeness of the desolation Isaiah 34:14.
The thematic weight of H3917 is tied entirely to its singular context of divine judgment.
- Symbol of Utter Desolation: The presence of the screech owl is a signifier that a land has been completely abandoned by humanity and given over to the wilderness. It is part of a tableau of creatures that thrive where civilization has fallen Isaiah 34:14.
- A Reversal of Order: The prophecy illustrates a world turned upside down, where wild creatures find a "place of rest" (H4494) in the ruins of a once-inhabited area. This highlights the profound and permanent nature of the judgment being described.
- A Gathering of Wild Beings: The screech owl is part of an assembly of creatures that includes wild beasts and satyrs. This gathering in a judged land serves as a powerful image of the consequences of forsaking God.
In summary, H3917 lîylîyth is a highly specific term used once in the Bible to contribute to a vivid picture of desolation. Translated as screech owl or night spectre, its presence in Isaiah's prophecy is a potent symbol of a land under judgment, a place where only wild, solitary, and eerie creatures can find a home. It demonstrates how even a word used a single time can carry significant thematic weight within its scriptural context.
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