Isaiah 34 11

Isaiah 34:11 kjv

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.

Isaiah 34:11 nkjv

But the pelican and the porcupine shall possess it, Also the owl and the raven shall dwell in it. And He shall stretch out over it The line of confusion and the stones of emptiness.

Isaiah 34:11 niv

The desert owl and screech owl will possess it; the great owl and the raven will nest there. God will stretch out over Edom the measuring line of chaos and the plumb line of desolation.

Isaiah 34:11 esv

But the hawk and the porcupine shall possess it, the owl and the raven shall dwell in it. He shall stretch the line of confusion over it, and the plumb line of emptiness.

Isaiah 34:11 nlt

It will be haunted by the desert owl and the screech owl,
the great owl and the raven.
For God will measure that land carefully;
he will measure it for chaos and destruction.

Isaiah 34 verses

Isaiah 34 11 Meaning

Isaiah 34:11 depicts God's complete devastation and judgment upon the enemies of His people. It describes a desolate and chaotic scene where divine wrath eradicates all traces of former inhabitants and established order. The imagery highlights utter destruction and the reclamation of the land by wild creatures, signifying total ruin and abandonment.

Isaiah 34 11 Context

Chapter 34 of Isaiah focuses on God's impending judgment against the nations, particularly Edom, for their hostility towards Israel. The prophet foresees a sweeping divine retribution that will render the land of the enemy utterly desolate and uninhabitable by humans, becoming a domain for wild animals and spirits. This judgment is presented as an act of divine justice and a demonstration of God's power and faithfulness to His covenant people. The chapter climaxes with the restoration of Zion, signaling hope for Israel amidst the surrounding desolation of her enemies.

Isaiah 34 11 Word Analysis

• וְהָפַךְ (və·hō·p̄ak): "and it shall become" or "and it will be turned into." This is a strong verb indicating a complete transformation or inversion.
• מִשְׁפַּט (miš·paṭ): "possession," "inheritance," or "judgment." Here it refers to what will occupy the land.
• צִיִּים (ṣi·y·yim): "deserts," "desolate places," "wastelands." It emphasizes extreme emptiness and lack of life.
• וְעָזַב (wə·‘ā·zāḇ): "and [he/it] will leave." This implies abandonment by its previous occupants.
• קִפֹּד (qi·p̄ōḏ): "hedgehog" or "porcupine." Often associated with desolate places, it symbolizes the ruin of the land. The meaning is debated, but commonly understood as a creature found in waste places.
• וְשָׂפָה (wə·śā·p̄āh): "and pool" or "and a heap." It signifies areas where water might collect in ruins or an accumulation of debris.
• בָּתֵּי (bā·tê): "houses of" or "dens of."
• יַעֲנָה (ya·‘ă·nāh): "ostriches" or "night creatures" (possibly owls). Signifies creatures of the night and desolation.
• יִשְׂרַח (yiś·raḥ): "will inhabit," "will dwell."
• קוֹץ (qō·ṣ): "thistles," "bramble," "thorns." Represents the overgrowth and untamed nature of the land after destruction.
• סִיר (sîr): "thorn," "bramble," "nettle." Similar to qōṣ, emphasizing prickly, uncultivable vegetation.
• שָׂמִיר (śā·mîr): "brier," "thorn." Reinforces the idea of a land overrun by thorny, dangerous plants.
• בָּנֶיהָ (bā·nê·hā): "its stones" or "its fortresses." Referring to the structures of the enemy that will be demolished.
• וּבִיהוּד (wū·ḇî·hūḏ): "and in its ruins" or "and in its princes." Possible interpretational variants for the specific term, but pointing to what remains after destruction.

Word Group Analysis

The verse describes a transition from former structures to wild habitats. The sequence "possession of deserts," "dens of ostriches," "thorns," and "nettles" depicts a complete reversal of order and cultivation. The mention of "its stones" and "its fortresses" indicates the dismantling of human strongholds, making way for these desolate inhabitants.

Isaiah 34 11 Bonus Section

The "hedgehog" or "porcupine" (Hebrew: qipod) is often seen in Jewish tradition and exegesis as symbolizing a creature suited for ruins and desolation, appearing where human habitation has ceased. Similarly, the "ostrich" (Hebrew: ya'anah) is associated with the wilderness and mourning in Scripture. The progression of the land being covered in thorns and nettles ($qōṣ, sîr, śāmîr$) further emphasizes the transformation into a place cursed and abandoned by God, reflecting the deep spiritual barrenness that results from opposition to God. The collective force of these images paints a picture of total ruin and the utter defeat of those who stood against the Lord.

Isaiah 34 11 Commentary

This verse vividly illustrates the finality of God's judgment on nations that oppose Him and His people. It's not just about military defeat but a complete ecological and existential upheaval of the enemy's territory. The imagery of wild creatures taking over speaks to the land becoming ritually impure and uninhabitable by humanity, reflecting the consequences of sin. The specific creatures mentioned, often those of the desert or waste places, highlight the abandonment and curse that fall upon those whom God judges. This ultimate desolation is a testament to God's sovereign power to both create and destroy, bringing judgment as a necessary precursor to His ultimate purposes for His people and the restoration of His kingdom.