Isaiah 34:14
Isaiah 34:14 in Multiple Translations
The desert creatures will meet with hyenas, and one wild goat will call to another. There the night creature will settle and find her place of repose.
The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest.
And the wild beasts of the desert shall meet with the wolves, and the wild goat shall cry to his fellow; yea, the night-monster shall settle there, and shall find her a place of rest.
And the beasts of the waste places will come together with the jackals, and the evil spirits will be crying to one another, even the night-spirit will come and make her resting-place there.
It will be a meeting place for desert animals and hyenas, and wild goats will call to each other there. Night animals will settle there and find a place to rest.
There shall meete also Ziim and Iim, and the Satyre shall cry to his fellow, and the shricheowle shall rest there, and shall finde for her selfe a quiet dwelling.
And met have Ziim with Aiim, And the goat for its companion calleth, Only there rested hath the night-owl, And hath found for herself a place of rest.
The wild animals of the desert will meet with the wolves, and the wild goat will cry to his fellow. Yes, the night creature shall settle there, and shall find herself a place of rest.
The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the isle, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech-owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest.
And demons and monsters shall meet, and the hairy ones shall cry out one to another, there hath the lamia lain down, and found rest for herself.
Animals that live in the desert and hyenas/wolves will be there, and wild goats will bleat/call to each other. There will also be creatures/animals that roam around at night.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 34:14
BAB
Word Study
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Isaiah 34:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/פָגְשׁ֤וּ
צִיִּים֙
אֶת
אִיִּ֔ים
וְ/שָׂעִ֖יר
עַל
רֵעֵ֣/הוּ
יִקְרָ֑א
אַךְ
שָׁם֙
הִרְגִּ֣יעָה
לִּילִ֔ית
וּ/מָצְאָ֥ה
לָ֖/הּ
מָנֽוֹחַ
וּ/פָגְשׁ֤וּ
pâgash
H6298
to meet
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
צִיִּים֙
tsîyîy
H6728
wild beast
N-mp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
אִיִּ֔ים
ʼîy
H338
wild beast
N-mp
וְ/שָׂעִ֖יר
sâʻîyr
H8163
hairy
Conj | N-ms
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
רֵעֵ֣/הוּ
rêaʻ
H7453
neighbor
N-ms | Suff
יִקְרָ֑א
qârâʼ
H7121
to call
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
אַךְ
ʼak
H389
surely
DirObjM
שָׁם֙
shâm
H8033
there
Adv
הִרְגִּ֣יעָה
râgaʻ
H7280
to disturb
V-Hiphil-Perf-3fs
לִּילִ֔ית
lîylîyth
H3917
night-creature
N-fs
וּ/מָצְאָ֥ה
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
Conj | V-Qal-3fs
לָ֖/הּ
Prep | Suff
מָנֽוֹחַ
mânôwach
H4494
resting
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 34:14
וּ/פָגְשׁ֤וּ
pâgash
H6298
"to meet"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
To meet or encounter someone, like when people come together by chance or on purpose. It appears in the Bible when people gather or run into each other.
Definition: 1) to meet, join, encounter 1a) (Qal) to meet, encounter 1b) (Niphal) to meet together, meet each other 1c) (Piel) to meet, encounter
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: meet (with, together). See also: Genesis 32:18; Psalms 85:11; Proverbs 17:12.
צִיִּים֙
tsîyîy
H6728
"wild beast"
N-mp
A wild beast or desert-dweller, like a nomad, is what this word describes, often found in the wilderness or desert areas of the Bible.
Definition: 1) a wild beast, desert-dweller, crier, yelper 1a) a specific wild beast but not certainly identified
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: wild beast of the desert, that dwell in (inhabiting) the wilderness. See also: Psalms 72:9; Isaiah 23:13; Psalms 74:14.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
אִיִּ֔ים
ʼîy
H338
"wild beast"
N-mp
This word refers to a wild beast, like a jackal, that howls. It is used in the plural form to describe solitary wild creatures.
Definition: howling beast, jackal
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: wild beast of the islands. See also: Isaiah 13:22; Isaiah 34:14; Jeremiah 50:39.
וְ/שָׂעִ֖יר
sâʻîyr
H8163
"hairy"
Conj | N-ms
This word can refer to a wild goat or a satyr, a mythical creature. In the Bible, it may also describe a demon-possessed animal, like the ones in Matthew 8:30-32.
Definition: adj hairy
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: devil, goat, hairy, kid, rough, satyr. See also: Genesis 27:11; Numbers 7:52; Isaiah 13:21.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
רֵעֵ֣/הוּ
rêaʻ
H7453
"neighbor"
N-ms | Suff
A neighbor or friend is what this word means, describing someone close to you. It can also refer to a companion, fellow citizen, or another person, and is often translated as brother or friend.
Definition: 1) friend, companion, fellow, another person 1a) friend, intimate 1b) fellow, fellow-citizen, another person (weaker sense) 1c) other, another (reciprocal phrase)
Usage: Occurs in 173 OT verses. KJV: brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. See also: Genesis 11:3; Job 42:7; Psalms 12:3.
יִקְרָ֑א
qârâʼ
H7121
"to call"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Definition: : call_to/invite/entreat 1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound 1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 1a3) to proclaim 1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to call oneself 1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named 1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
Usage: Occurs in 689 OT verses. KJV: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 49:1; Judges 1:26.
אַךְ
ʼak
H389
"surely"
DirObjM
This Hebrew word is used to emphasize something, like saying 'surely' or 'certainly'. It can also be used to limit or restrict something, like saying 'only' or 'but'.
Definition: 1) indeed, surely (emphatic) 2) howbeit, only, but, yet (restrictive)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: also, in any wise, at least, but, certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only, save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, [phrase] wherefore, yet (but). See also: Genesis 7:23; 2 Kings 23:35; Psalms 23:6.
שָׁם֙
shâm
H8033
"there"
Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
הִרְגִּ֣יעָה
râgaʻ
H7280
"to disturb"
V-Hiphil-Perf-3fs
This verb means to harden or toss violently, but also to quiet or settle something. It can describe the sudden movement of the sea or the skin with boils.
Definition: 1) to act in an instant, stir up, disturb 1a) (Qal) to stir up, disturb 1b) (Hiphil) to make a twinkling
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: break, divide, find ease, be a moment, (cause, give, make to) rest, make suddenly. See also: Deuteronomy 28:65; Isaiah 51:15; Proverbs 12:19.
לִּילִ֔ית
lîylîyth
H3917
"night-creature"
N-fs
Lilith is a night creature, known as a female demon that haunts desolate places in Edom, possibly a nocturnal animal. In the Bible, it is translated as a screech owl. This mysterious being is only mentioned in Isaiah 34:14.
Definition: 1) "Lilith", name of a female goddess known as a night demon who haunts the desolate places of Edom 1a) might be a nocturnal animal that inhabits desolate places
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: screech owl. See also: Isaiah 34:14.
וּ/מָצְאָ֥ה
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
Conj | V-Qal-3fs
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
לָ֖/הּ
""
Prep | Suff
מָנֽוֹחַ
mânôwach
H4494
"resting"
N-cs
This term refers to a place or state of rest, like a quiet spot to settle down, as described in the Bible. It represents a condition of peace and tranquility. Rest is a key concept.
Definition: 1) resting place, state or condition of rest, place 1a) resting place 1b) rest, repose, condition of rest 1c) coming to rest
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: (place of) rest. See also: Genesis 8:9; 1 Chronicles 6:16; Isaiah 34:14.
Study Notes — Isaiah 34:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 34:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 34:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 34:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 34:14
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 34:14
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 34:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 34:14
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 34:14
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 34:14
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 34:14
Context — Judgment on Edom
12No nobles will be left to proclaim a king, and all her princes will come to nothing.
13Her towers will be overgrown with thorns, her fortresses with thistles and briers. She will become a haunt for jackals, an abode for ostriches.
14The desert creatures will meet with hyenas, and one wild goat will call to another. There the night creature will settle and find her place of repose.
15There the owl will make her nest; she will lay and hatch her eggs and gather her brood under her shadow. Even there the birds of prey will gather, each with its mate. 16Search and read the scroll of the LORD: Not one of these will go missing, not one will lack her mate, because He has ordered it by His mouth, and He will gather them by His Spirit.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 13:21–22 | But desert creatures will lie down there, and howling creatures will fill her houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about. 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. |
Isaiah 34:14 Summary
Isaiah 34:14 describes a desolate land where wild animals gather, including hyenas, wild goats, and nocturnal creatures like owls. This scene may seem chaotic, but it's actually a picture of God's sovereignty over all creation, as seen in passages like Psalms 50:10-11, where God claims ownership of all animals. Even in the darkest, most abandoned places, God is still at work, providing for His creatures and bringing order out of chaos, as described in Isaiah 45:7 and Jeremiah 29:11. This verse reminds us that God is always in control, even when things seem wild and unpredictable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of creatures are described in Isaiah 34:14?
The verse mentions desert creatures, hyenas, wild goats, and night creatures, which are likely owls or other nocturnal animals, as described in Isaiah 34:15, where the owl is specifically mentioned, and in other passages like Job 30:29, which talks about creatures that live in the wilderness.
Why are these creatures gathering in this place?
According to the context of Isaiah 34, these creatures are gathering in a desolate, abandoned land that was once inhabited by people, as seen in Isaiah 34:12-13, where it says that no nobles will be left and the land will become a haunt for jackals and ostriches, similar to what is described in Isaiah 13:21, where wild animals inhabit a desolate Babylon.
What does the phrase 'night creature' refer to in this verse?
The phrase 'night creature' likely refers to an owl or another nocturnal animal, as mentioned in Isaiah 34:15, where the owl makes her nest and lays her eggs, and as described in other passages like Psalms 104:27-30, where God provides for all creatures, including those that are active at night.
Is this verse describing a real event or a symbolic one?
While the verse may be describing a real event where animals inhabit a desolate land, it is also rich in symbolism, as seen in other prophetic passages like Ezekiel 29:11, where God speaks of a desolate Egypt, and in Revelation 18:2, where a fallen Babylon is described as a haunt for demons and unclean animals.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for the 'night creature' to 'settle and find her place of repose' in a desolate land, and how can I apply this idea to my own life when I feel like I'm in a wilderness?
- How does the gathering of these creatures in Isaiah 34:14 relate to the idea of God's sovereignty over all creation, as seen in passages like Psalms 24:1 and Colossians 1:15-17?
- In what ways can I see the hand of God at work in the natural world, even in desolate or abandoned places, as described in Isaiah 34:14 and other passages like Romans 1:20?
- What can I learn from the way these creatures seem to be at peace in their desolate surroundings, and how can I apply that to my own walk with God, as seen in passages like Philippians 4:11-12?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 34:14
The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the islands,.... In Rome, and take up their abode there; of these creatures, the first of which the Targum renders monstrous
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 34:14
The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 34:14
The satyr shall cry to his fellow: See Poole "". See Poole "". The screech owl also shall rest there, because there shall be no men left to disturb or affright them, .
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 34:14
Isaiah 34:14 The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest.Ver. 14. The wild beasts of the desert.] Heb., Ziim et jiim. See Isaiah 13:21-22, where these monstrous creatures are said to dance: whence Basil noteth, that men learned of devils to dance, and another saith that a dance is a circle, the centre whereof is the devil, the circumference all his angels. And the satyr shall cry to his fellow.] Heb., The rough or hairy one. Chald., Daemones inter se colludent, the devils shall play among themselves; Satan is a rough harsh spirit; so are his. See Leviticus 17:7. Conr. Clingius.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 34:14
(14) The wild beasts of the desert . . .—Better, wild cats or hyenas shall meet wolves. The nouns that follow belong, apparently, to the region of mythical zoology. The English “satyr” expresses fairly enough the idea of a “demon-brute” haunting the waste places of the palaces of Edom, while the “screech-owl” is the Lilith, the she-vampire, who appears in the legends of the Talmud as having been Adam’s first wife, who left him and was turned into a demon. With the later Jews, Lilith, as sucking the blood of children, was the bugbear of the nursery. Night-vampire would, perhaps, be the best rendering.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 34:14
Verse 14. The wild beasts of the desert] ציים tsiyim, the mountain cats. - Bochart. Wild beasts of the island] איים aiyim, the jackals. The satyr] שעיר seir, the hairy one, probably the he-goat. The screech owl] לילית lilith, the night-bird, the night-raven, nyctycorax, from ליל layil, or לילה lailah, the night.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 34:14
14. wild beasts the desert … wild beasts of the island … satyr] See on ch. Isaiah 13:21 f. the shrich owl] The Hebr. is Lîlîth, a fem. formation from Iáil “night.” Render with Cheyne: the night-hag. Lilith appears to be a creation of the Babylonian demonology. “This Lilith plays a great part in the Talmudic demonology; the cabalistic Rabbis forged a whole legend in which this spirit is said to have taken a feminine form to deceive Adam, and to have united herself to him.” (Lenormant, Chaldæan Magic, Engl. Tr. p. 38.) She is mentioned in the Bible only here. find for herself a place of rest] On the restlessness of evil spirits, cf. Matthew 12:43, “walketh through dry places, seeking rest.”
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 34:14
The wild beasts of the desert - There is in the original here a paronomasia, which cannot be conveyed in a translation.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 34:14
14. The desert animals, (ziim,) hyenas, for example, (’S Natural History,) there come in contact with the howlers, (ijim,) jackals, called an island creature from its dwelling near the coast, and all inhabited, fertile spots.