Isaiah 34:11

¹¹ The desert owl [1] and screech owl [1] will possess it; the great owl [1] and the raven will nest there. God will stretch out over Edom the measuring line of chaos and the plumb line of desolation.

Other Translations of Isaiah 34:11

King James Version

¹¹ But the cormorant cormorant: or, pelican 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.

English Standard Version

¹¹ But the hawk and the porcupineThe identity of the animals rendered hawk and porcupine is uncertain shall possess it, the owl and the raven shall dwell in it. He shall stretch the line of confusionHebrew formlessness over it, and the plumb line of emptiness.

The Message

¹¹ Vultures and skunks will police the streets; owls and crows will feel at home there. God will reverse creation. Chaos! He will cancel fertility. Emptiness!

New King James Version

¹¹ 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.

New Living Translation

¹¹ 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.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 34:11

Commentary on Isaiah 34:9-17

(Read Isaiah 34:9-17)

Those who aim to ruin the church, can never do that, but will ruin themselves. What dismal changes sin can make! It turns a fruitful land into barrenness, a crowded city into a wilderness. Let us compare all we discover in the book of the Lord, with the dealings of providence around us, that we may be more diligent in seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness. What the mouth of the Lord has commanded, his Spirit will perform. And let us observe how the evidences of the truth continually increase, as one prophecy after another is fulfilled, until these awful scenes bring in more happy days. As Israel was a figure of the Christian church, so the Edomites, their bitter enemies, represent the enemies of the kingdom of Christ. God's Jerusalem may be laid in ruins for a time, but the enemies of the church shall be desolate for ever.

More Commentaries for Isaiah 34

Footnotes for Isaiah 34

[1] 34:11 The precise identification of these birds is uncertain.

[2] 34:11 The precise identification of these birds is uncertain.

[3] 34:11 The precise identification of these birds is uncertain.

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Isaiah 34:13-15

¹³ Thorns will overrun her citadels, nettles and brambles her strongholds. She will become a haunt for jackals, a home for owls. ¹⁴ Desert creatures will meet with hyenas, and wild goats will bleat to each other; there the night creatures will also lie down and find for themselves places of rest. ¹⁵ The owl will nest there and lay eggs, she will hatch them, and care for her young under the shadow of her wings; there also the falcons will gather, each with its mate.

Other Translations of Isaiah 34:13-15

King James Version

¹³ And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls. owls: or, ostriches: Heb. daughters of the owl 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. ¹⁵ There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.

English Standard Version

¹³ Thorns shall grow over its strongholds, nettles and thistles in its fortresses. It shall be the haunt of jackals, an abode for ostriches.Or owls ¹⁴ And wild animals shall meet with hyenas; the wild goat shall cry to his fellow; indeed, there the night birdIdentity uncertain settles and finds for herself a resting place. ¹⁵ There the owl nests and lays and hatches and gathers her young in her shadow; indeed, there the hawks are gathered, each one with her mate.

The Message

¹³ Thistles will take over, covering the castles, fortresses conquered by weeds and thornbushes. Wild dogs will prowl the ruins, ostriches have the run of the place. ¹⁴ Wildcats and hyenas will hunt together, demons and devils dance through the night. The night-demon Lilith, evil and rapacious, will establish permanent quarters. ¹⁵ Scavenging carrion birds will breed and brood, infestations of ominous evil.

New King James Version

¹³ And thorns shall come up in its palaces, Nettles and brambles in its fortresses; It shall be a habitation of jackals, A courtyard for ostriches. ¹⁴ The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the jackals, And the wild goat shall bleat to its companion; Also the night creature shall rest there, And find for herself a place of rest. ¹⁵ There the arrow snake shall make her nest and lay eggs And hatch, and gather them under her shadow; There also shall the hawks be gathered, Every one with her mate.

New Living Translation

¹³ Thorns will overrun its palaces; nettles and thistles will grow in its forts. The ruins will become a haunt for jackals and a home for owls. ¹⁴ Desert animals will mingle there with hyenas, their howls filling the night. Wild goats will bleat at one another among the ruins, and night creatures will come there to rest. ¹⁵ There the owl will make her nest and lay her eggs. She will hatch her young and cover them with her wings. And the buzzards will come, each one with its mate.