Isaiah 34:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Thorns shall grow over its strongholds, nettles and thistles in its fortresses. It shall be the haunt of jackals, an abode for ostriches.

NIV: Thorns will overrun her citadels, nettles and brambles her strongholds. She will become a haunt for jackals, a home for owls.

NASB: Thorns will come up in its fortified towers, Weeds and thistles in its fortified cities; It will also be a haunt of jackals And a habitat of ostriches.

CSB: Her palaces will be overgrown with thorns; her fortified cities, with thistles and briers. She will become a dwelling for jackals, an abode for ostriches.

NLT: 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.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: 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.

Isaiah 34:5–17 narrows God's intense judgment to the nation of Edom. This kingdom descended from Esau (Genesis 25:23–26; 31:1). Edom frequently opposed and harmed Israel. The Lord's judgment would come exactly when He planned. None of Edom's strengths will save them. The kingdom will be shattered and even the land, itself, will fall into ruin and decay.

The Lord is enraged against the godless nations who have rejected Him. In the end times, He will devoted all the unbelieving peoples of the earth to destruction and slaughter (Revelation 19:15–18). After judging heaven and earth, God will turn His wrath on Edom. They will be destroyed as thoroughly as if they were animals sacrificed on an altar. Even the land and soil will be ruined so no one dares even cross the territory. Only animals will live there. This is all part of the Lord's divine plan and purpose.

This is part of an announcement of the Lord's judgment against the pagan, godless nations of earth (Isaiah 33). This passage focuses specifically on Edom (Genesis 36:1). God's bloody sword of judgment will turn to Edom and utterly destroy it. Even the environment will be spoiled. None will even dare cross the territory, other than the various animals God will allow to reclaim the land., This matches descriptions of Christ's return and millennial rule (Revelation 19:15–18).

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 1/6/2026 8:15:46 PM