King James Version

What Does Isaiah 13:22 Mean?

Isaiah 13:22 in the King James Version says “And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her ti...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged. the wild: Heb. Iim desolate: or, palaces”

Isaiah 13:22 · KJV

Context

20

It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.

21

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. wild: Heb. Ziim doleful: Heb. Ochim owls: or, ostriches: Heb. daughters of the owl

22

And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged. the wild: Heb. Iim desolate: or, palaces

Read Isaiah 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Wild beasts will 'cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces.' The timing: 'her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.' This emphasizes imminence—judgment approaches rapidly. The contrast between 'pleasant palaces' (past glory) and wild beasts crying there (future desolation) highlights the dramatic reversal. 'Days shall not be prolonged' indicates that Babylon's extension is limited—God has set an expiration date. This warns that apparent stability doesn't guarantee longevity when judgment is decreed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Though written ~700 BC when Babylon wasn't yet dominant, this predicted its limited duration. Babylon's Neo-Babylonian Empire lasted less than a century (626-539 BC) before falling to Persia. The 'pleasant palaces' (Nebuchadnezzar's hanging gardens, etc.) eventually housed only animals. The prophecy that 'her time is near' proved accurate—God's timeline for nations is exact. No empire lasts beyond its divinely-appointed span.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the certainty and timing of Babylon's fall demonstrate God's precise control of history?
  2. What does the contrast between past glory and future desolation teach about earthly kingdoms?
  3. How should awareness that all earthly powers have limited days affect our ultimate allegiances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְעָנָ֤ה1 of 12

“shall cry”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

אִיִּים֙2 of 12

“And the wild beasts of the islands”

H338

a howler (used only in the plural), i.e., any solitary wild creature

בְּאַלְמנוֹתָ֔יו3 of 12

“in their desolate houses”

H490

a widow; also a desolate place

וְתַנִּ֖ים4 of 12

“and dragons”

H8577

a marine or land monster, i.e., sea-serpent or jackal

בְּהֵ֣יכְלֵי5 of 12

“palaces”

H1964

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

עֹ֑נֶג6 of 12

“in their pleasant”

H6027

luxury

וְקָר֤וֹב7 of 12

“is near”

H7138

near (in place, kindred or time)

לָבוֹא֙8 of 12

“to come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עִתָּ֔הּ9 of 12

“and her time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

וְיָמֶ֖יהָ10 of 12

“and her days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לֹ֥א11 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִמָּשֵֽׁכוּ׃12 of 12

“shall not be prolonged”

H4900

to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 13:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 13:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 51:33Isaiah 25:2Isaiah 35:7Habakkuk 2:32 Peter 2:3Isaiah 34:13

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Isaiah 13 →

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