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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 13:21 But desert creatures will lie down there, and howling creatures will fill her houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/13-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/23_Isa_13_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 13:21 - An Oracle Concerning Babylon" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But desert creatures will lie down there, and howling creatures will fill her houses. 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Owls will live among the ruins, and wild goats will go there to dance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/13.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But wild animals will lie down there, and their houses will be full of howling creatures; there ostriches will dwell, and there wild goats will dance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But desert creatures will lie down there, and howling creatures will fill her houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/13.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/13.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But wild beasts of the desert will lie there, And their houses will be full of owls; Ostriches will dwell there, And wild goats will caper there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But desert creatures will lie down there, And their houses will be full of owls; Ostriches also will live there, and shaggy goats will frolic there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/13.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But desert creatures will lie down there, And their houses will be full of owls; Ostriches also will live there, and shaggy goats will frolic there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But desert creatures will lie down there, And their houses will be full of owls, Ostriches also will live there, and shaggy goats will frolic there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But desert creatures will lie down there, And their houses will be full of owls; Ostriches also will dwell there, and shaggy goats will leap there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But desert creatures will lie down there, And their houses will be full of owls; Ostriches also will live there, and wild goats will dance there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But desert creatures will lie down there, and owls will fill the houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But desert creatures will lie down there, and owls will fill the houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/13.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Only desert creatures, hoot owls, and ostriches will live in its ruins, and goats will leap about. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/13.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and ostriches shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Desert animals will lie down there. Their homes will be full of owls. Ostriches will live there, and wild goats will skip about.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/13.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />It will be a place where desert animals live and where owls build their nests. Ostriches will live there, and wild goats will prance through the ruins. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/13.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But desert beasts will lie down there, and their houses will be full of howling creatures; there owls will dwell, and goat-demons will dance there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But desert creatures will lie down there, and howling creatures will fill her houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/13.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Wild animals will rest there, the ruined houses will be full of hyenas. Ostriches will live there, wild goats will skip among the ruins. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But wild animals of the desert will lie there, and their houses will be full of jackals. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will frolic there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/13.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But wild animals of the desert will lie there, and their houses will be full of jackals. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will frolic there. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And desert-dwellers have lain down there, "" And their houses have been full of howlers, "" And daughters of an ostrich have dwelt there, "" And goats skip there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Ziim have lain down there, And full have been their houses of howlings, And dwelt there have daughters of an ostrich, And goats do skip there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And inhabitants of the desert reclined there, and their houses were filled with howlings, and the daughters of the ostrich dwelt there, and he goats shall leap there.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But wild beasts shall rest there, and their houses shall be filled with serpents, and ostriches shall dwell there, and the hairy ones shall dance there: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Instead, the wild beasts will rest there, and their houses will be filled with serpents, and ostriches will live there, and the hairy ones will leap about there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/13.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But desert demons shall rest there and owls shall fill the houses; There ostriches shall dwell, and satyrs shall dance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But wild animals will lie down there, and its houses will be full of howling creatures; there ostriches will live, and there goat-demons will dance.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But wild beasts shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and ostriches shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />But animals shall lie down there, and their houses shall be filled with echoes, and the daughters of ostriches shall dwell there, and evil spirits shall dance there<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But wild-cats shall lie there; And their houses shall be full of ferrets; And ostriches shall dwell there, And satyrs shall dance there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/13.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But wild beasts shall rest there; and the houses shall be filled with howling; and monsters shall rest there, and devils shall dance there,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/13-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=2914" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/13.htm">An Oracle Concerning Babylon</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>She will never be inhabited or settled from generation to generation; no nomad will pitch his tent there, no shepherd will rest his flock there. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6728.htm" title="6728: ṣî·yîm (N-mp) -- From the same as tsiyah; a desert-dweller, i.e. Nomad or wild beast.">But desert creatures</a> <a href="/hebrew/7257.htm" title="7257: wə·rā·ḇə·ṣū- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to crouch; be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed.">will lie down</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">there,</a> <a href="/hebrew/255.htm" title="255: ’ō·ḥîm (N-mp) -- Owl. Probably from 'ach; a howler or lonesome wild animal.">and howling creatures</a> <a href="/hebrew/4390.htm" title="4390: ū·mā·lə·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To be full, to fill. Or malae; a primitive root, to fill or be full of, in a wide application.">will fill</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ḇāt·tê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">her houses.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1323.htm" title="1323: bə·nō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- Daughter. From banah; a daughter."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3284.htm" title="3284: ya·‘ă·nāh (N-fs) -- Perhaps greed. Feminine of ya'en, and meaning the same.">Ostriches</a> <a href="/hebrew/7931.htm" title="7931: wə·šā·ḵə·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- A primitive root (by transmission) to shakab through the idea of lodging; compare cikluwth, shakam); to reside or permanently stay.">will dwell</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">there,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8163.htm" title="8163: ū·śə·‘î·rîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- Shaggy, a he-goat, a faun. Or sabir; from sa'ar; shaggy; as noun, a he-goat; by analogy, a faun.">and wild goats</a> <a href="/hebrew/7540.htm" title="7540: yə·raq·qə·ḏū- (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To skip about. A primitive root; properly, to stamp, i.e. To spring about.">will leap about.</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence."></a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>Hyenas will howl in her fortresses and jackals in her luxurious palaces. Babylon’s time is at hand, and her days will not be prolonged.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-2.htm">Revelation 18:2</a></span><br />And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-39.htm">Jeremiah 50:39</a></span><br />So the desert creatures and hyenas will live there and ostriches will dwell there. It will never again be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-37.htm">Jeremiah 51:37</a></span><br />Babylon will become a heap of rubble, a haunt for jackals, an object of horror and scorn, without inhabitant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Zephaniah 2:14</a></span><br />Herds will lie down in her midst, creatures of every kind. Both the desert owl and screech owl will roost atop her pillars. Their calls will sound from the window, but desolation will lie on the threshold, for He will expose the beams of cedar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-21.htm">Revelation 18:21-22</a></span><br />Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again. / And the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will never ring out in you again. Nor will any craftsmen of any trade be found in you again, nor the sound of a millstone be heard in you again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/34-11.htm">Isaiah 34:11-15</a></span><br />The desert owl and screech owl will possess it, and the great owl and raven will dwell in it. The LORD will stretch out over Edom a measuring line of chaos and a plumb line of destruction. / No nobles will be left to proclaim a king, and all her princes will come to nothing. / Her towers will be overgrown with thorns, her fortresses with thistles and briers. She will become a haunt for jackals, an abode for ostriches. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/1-3.htm">Malachi 1:3</a></span><br />but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/19-17.htm">Revelation 19:17-18</a></span><br />Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, / so that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders and mighty men, of horses and riders, of everyone slave and free, small and great.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-11.htm">Jeremiah 9:11</a></span><br />“And I will make Jerusalem a heap of rubble, a haunt for jackals; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-22.htm">Jeremiah 10:22</a></span><br />Listen! The sound of a report is coming—a great commotion from the land to the north. It will make the cities of Judah a desolation, a haunt for jackals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/14-8.htm">Revelation 14:8</a></span><br />Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/16-19.htm">Revelation 16:19</a></span><br />The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. And God remembered Babylon the great and gave her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/17-5.htm">Revelation 17:5</a></span><br />And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/17-16.htm">Revelation 17:16</a></span><br />And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-10.htm">Revelation 18:10</a></span><br />In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">but</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/34-11.htm">Isaiah 34:11-15</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/18-2.htm">Revelation 18:2</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="hdg">wild beasts.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-5.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-26.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-15.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/songs/6-13.htm">Dance</a> <a href="/songs/2-8.htm">Dancing</a> <a href="/isaiah/4-4.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-11.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/micah/2-4.htm">Doleful</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-6.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-20.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-11.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-8.htm">Fill</a> <a href="/psalms/104-26.htm">Frolic</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-9.htm">Full</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-21.htm">Goats</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-19.htm">Holes</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-16.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-30.htm">Howling</a> <a href="/amos/8-3.htm">Howlings</a> <a href="/psalms/63-10.htm">Jackals</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-20.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/job/39-13.htm">Ostrich</a> <a href="/job/39-13.htm">Ostriches</a> <a href="/job/30-29.htm">Owls</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/11-15.htm">Satyrs</a> <a href="/daniel/8-21.htm">Shaggy</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Spirits</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-9.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-4.htm">Wild</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-39.htm">Wild-Cats</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-39.htm">Ziim</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/18-6.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-22.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-39.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-3.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-4.htm">Dance</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-15.htm">Dancing</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-2.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-17.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/micah/2-4.htm">Doleful</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-4.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-1.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-6.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-21.htm">Fill</a> <a href="/psalms/104-26.htm">Frolic</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-9.htm">Full</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-6.htm">Goats</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-13.htm">Holes</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-22.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-8.htm">Howling</a> <a href="/amos/8-3.htm">Howlings</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-22.htm">Jackals</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-18.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-20.htm">Ostrich</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-13.htm">Ostriches</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-23.htm">Owls</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-7.htm">Satyrs</a> <a href="/daniel/8-21.htm">Shaggy</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-9.htm">Spirits</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-17.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-22.htm">Wild</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-14.htm">Wild-Cats</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-13.htm">Ziim</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 13</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/13-1.htm">God musters the armies of his wrath</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/13-6.htm">He threatens to destroy Babylon by the Medes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/13-19.htm">The desolation of Babylon</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But desert creatures will lie down there</b><br>This phrase indicates a transformation of Babylon from a bustling city to a desolate wasteland. The "desert creatures" symbolize the complete abandonment and ruin of the city, as these animals typically inhabit uninhabited and barren areas. This imagery aligns with the prophetic theme of divine judgment against nations that oppose God. The desolation of Babylon is a fulfillment of prophecy, as seen in <a href="/jeremiah/50-39.htm">Jeremiah 50:39</a>, where similar language is used to describe the city's downfall.<p><b>and howling creatures will fill her houses</b><br>The "howling creatures" likely refer to animals such as jackals or hyenas, known for their eerie cries. Their presence in the houses of Babylon signifies the city's utter destruction and the absence of human life. This imagery serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of pride and idolatry, as Babylon was known for its grandeur and defiance against God. The howling creatures emphasize the reversal of fortune from a place of human habitation to one of desolation.<p><b>Ostriches will dwell there</b><br>Ostriches, often associated with desolate and arid regions, further illustrate the complete abandonment of Babylon. Their presence underscores the idea that the city, once a symbol of human achievement and power, has become a place suitable only for wild animals. This transformation is a testament to the fulfillment of God's judgment and serves as a warning to other nations. The mention of ostriches also connects to other prophetic literature, such as <a href="/lamentations/4-3.htm">Lamentations 4:3</a>, where ostriches are used to depict desolation and neglect.<p><b>and wild goats will leap about</b><br>The "wild goats" or "satyrs" in some translations, add to the imagery of desolation and chaos. These animals, known for their agility and wild nature, suggest a landscape that has returned to a state of untamed wilderness. The presence of wild goats leaping about indicates that the once-great city has been reduced to a natural habitat for wildlife. This serves as a powerful symbol of God's sovereignty and the futility of human pride. The imagery of wild goats can also be seen as a metaphor for spiritual desolation, as the city that once thrived on idolatry is now devoid of human presence and divine favor.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylon.htm">Babylon</a></b><br>The prophecy in <a href="/bsb/isaiah/13.htm">Isaiah 13</a> is directed against Babylon, a powerful empire known for its grandeur and idolatry. The verse describes the desolation that will come upon it.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/desert_creatures.htm">Desert Creatures</a></b><br>These are symbolic of desolation and abandonment. In the Hebrew text, the term used can refer to various wild animals that inhabit deserted places.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/o/owls.htm">Owls</a></b><br>Often associated with desolation and ruin in biblical literature, representing the eerie silence and abandonment of a once-thriving city.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/o/ostriches.htm">Ostriches</a></b><br>Known for inhabiting desolate regions, they symbolize the complete transformation of a bustling city into a wilderness.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/wild_goats.htm">Wild Goats</a></b><br>These animals are often found in rugged, uninhabited areas, further emphasizing the desolation and wildness that will overtake Babylon.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_judgment.htm">Divine Judgment</a></b><br>God's judgment is certain and thorough. The desolation of Babylon serves as a reminder of the consequences of pride and idolatry.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_transience_of_earthly_power.htm">The Transience of Earthly Power</a></b><br>No matter how powerful a nation or city may seem, it is ultimately subject to God's authority and can be brought to ruin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_desolation.htm">Symbolism of Desolation</a></b><br>The imagery of wild animals inhabiting a once-thriving city serves as a powerful symbol of the emptiness that follows when God’s presence and blessing are withdrawn.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a></b><br>The prophecy serves as a warning to turn away from sin and idolatry, urging individuals and nations to seek God’s mercy and grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_restoration.htm">Hope in Restoration</a></b><br>While the immediate context is judgment, the broader biblical account includes the hope of restoration and redemption for those who turn to God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 13</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_atman_in_hinduism.htm">What do owls symbolize in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_many_animals_were_on_the_ark.htm">What does the Bible say about Arabs?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_do_owls_symbolize_in_the_bible.htm">What do owls symbolize in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_jeremiah_50_15-16_call_for_babylon's_desolation.htm">In Jeremiah 50:15–16, why does the prophecy call for Babylon’s complete desolation if archaeological evidence shows some continued habitation after its fall? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">Wild beasts of the desert . . .</span>--The Hebrew term, which in <a href="/psalms/72-9.htm" title="They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.">Psalm 72:9</a>, and perhaps in <a href="/isaiah/23-13.htm" title="Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, till the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness: they set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof; and he brought it to ruin.">Isaiah 23:13</a>, is used of men, has been rendered by "wild cats," but is probably generic, <span class= "ital">the fer? natur? </span>that haunt such desolate regions. The "doleful creatures" (literally <span class= "ital">groaners</span>) are probably "horned owls;" while the word rendered "owls (literally, <span class= "ital">daughters of screaming</span>) may be taken as <span class= "ital">ostriches </span>(<a href="/context/job/39-13.htm" title="Gave you the goodly wings to the peacocks? or wings and feathers to the ostrich?">Job 39:13-18</a>). In the "satyrs" (literally, <span class= "ital">hairy </span>or <span class= "ital">shaggy ones</span>) we may find either "goats (as in <a href="/leviticus/4-24.htm" title="And he shall lay his hand on the head of the goat, and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before the LORD: it is a sin offering.">Leviticus 4:24</a>; <a href="/leviticus/16-9.htm" title="And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the LORD's lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering.">Leviticus 16:9</a>), or, as the English version suggests, a mythical form of grotesque animal life (the "demons" or "devils" of <a href="/leviticus/17-7.htm" title="And they shall no more offer their sacrifices to devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever to them throughout their generations.">Leviticus 17:7</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/11-15.htm" title="And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.">2Chronicles 11:15</a>, a goat-shaped form, like that of the Greek Pan), or more probably (with Tristram), the species of baboon (<span class= "ital">Macacus Arabicus</span>) still found in Babylonia. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Wild beasts of the desert shall lie there</span>. It is not quite clear what particular wild beasts are intended. Those actually noted on the site of Babylon are lions, jackals, and porcupines. These sometimes make their lairs in the ruins (Rich, 'First Memoir,' p. 69; Ker Porter, 'Travels,' vol. 2. p. 342). <span class="cmt_word">Doleful creatures</span>; in the original, <span class="accented">okhim</span>. What animal is meant we cannot say, as the word occurs only in this passage. Mr. Cheyne translates it by "hyenas." <span class="cmt_word">Owls shall dwell there</span>; literally, <span class="accented">daughters of the owl</span> (as in <a href="/leviticus/11-16.htm">Leviticus 11:16</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Deuteronomy 14:15</a>; <a href="/job/30-29.htm">Job 30:29</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/50-39.htm">Jeremiah 50:39</a>; <a href="/micah/1-8.htm">Micah 1:8</a>; and <span class="accented">infra</span>, <a href="/isaiah/34-13.htm">Isaiah 34:13</a>; <a href="/isaiah/43-20.htm">Isaiah 43:20</a>). Mr. Rich says, "In most of the cavities of the Babil Mound there are numbers of owls and bats." Sir A. Layard," A large grey owl is found in great numbers, frequently in flocks of nearly a hundred, in the low shrubs among the ruins of Babylon" ('Nin. and Bab.,' p. 484, note). <span class="cmt_word">Satyrs shall dance there.</span> The word translated "satyr" is, etymologically, "hairy one," and ordinarily means "a goat." Some have supposed "wild goats" to be here intended, but they are not found in Babylonia. The translation "satyr" is defended by many, who think Isaiah might draw upon current beliefs for some features of his description. Dr. Kay gives "baboons," since the Moko - a kind of baboon - is known in Babylonia. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/13-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But desert creatures</span><br /><span class="heb">צִיִּ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(ṣî·yîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6728.htm">Strong's 6728: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wild beast of the desert, that dwell in inhabiting the wilderness </span><br /><br /><span class="word">will lie down</span><br /><span class="heb">וְרָבְצוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·rā·ḇə·ṣū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7257.htm">Strong's 7257: </a> </span><span class="str2">To crouch, be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there,</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and howling creatures</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹחִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ḥîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_255.htm">Strong's 255: </a> </span><span class="str2">A howler, lonesome wild animal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will fill</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמָלְא֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mā·lə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4390.htm">Strong's 4390: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fill, be full of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her houses.</span><br /><span class="heb">בָתֵּיהֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḇāt·tê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">The owls</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנ֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1323.htm">Strong's 1323: </a> </span><span class="str2">A daughter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will dwell</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשָׁ֤כְנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šā·ḵə·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7931.htm">Strong's 7931: </a> </span><span class="str2">To settle down, abide, dwell</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there,</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁם֙</span> <span class="translit">(šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and wild goats</span><br /><span class="heb">וּשְׂעִירִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(ū·śə·‘î·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8163.htm">Strong's 8163: </a> </span><span class="str2">Shaggy, a he-goat, a faun</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will leap about.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְרַקְּדוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(yə·raq·qə·ḏū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7540.htm">Strong's 7540: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stamp, to spring about</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/13-21.htm">Isaiah 13:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/13-21.htm">Isaiah 13:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/13-21.htm">Isaiah 13:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/13-21.htm">Isaiah 13:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/13-21.htm">Isaiah 13:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/13-21.htm">Isaiah 13:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/13-21.htm">Isaiah 13:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/13-21.htm">Isaiah 13:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/13-21.htm">Isaiah 13:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/13-21.htm">Isaiah 13:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/13-21.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 13:21 But wild animals of the desert will (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/13-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 13:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 13:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/13-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 13:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 13:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>