### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
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**.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
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.
### Related Words & Concepts
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]].
### Theological Significance
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.
### Summary
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.
TRV