King James Version

What Does Isaiah 32:14 Mean?

Isaiah 32:14 in the King James Version says “Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens f... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks; forts: or, clifts and watchtowers

Isaiah 32:14 · KJV


Context

12

They shall lament for the teats, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. pleasant: Heb. fields of desire

13

Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city: yea: or, burning upon

14

Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks; forts: or, clifts and watchtowers

15

Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.

16

Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Because the palaces shall be forsaken (כִּי־אַרְמוֹן נֻטָּשׁ, ki-armon nutash)—the אַרְמוֹן (armon, palace, citadel) will be נָטַשׁ (natash, forsaken, abandoned). The multitude of the city shall be left (הֲמוֹן עִיר עֻזָּב, hamon ir uzav)—the הָמוֹן (hamon, multitude, throng) of the עִיר (ir, city) will be עָזַב (azav, left, abandoned). The forts and towers shall be for dens for ever (עֹפֶל וָבַחַן הָיָה בְעַד מְעָרוֹת עַד־עוֹלָם, ofel vabachan hayah ve'ad me'arot ad-olam)—fortifications become מְעָרוֹת (me'arot, caves, dens) עַד־עוֹלָם (ad-olam, forever). A joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks (מְשׂוֹשׂ פְּרָאִים מִרְעֵה עֲדָרִים, mesos pera'im mir'eh adarim).

Urban centers become wilderness—palaces abandoned, populations exiled, fortifications repurposed as animal dens. The phrase עַד־עוֹלָם (ad-olam, forever) uses prophetic hyperbole: seemingly permanent desolation. Wild asses (פְּרָאִים, pera'im) roaming palace ruins depicts complete reversal from human civilization to animal wilderness. Zephaniah 2:13-15 prophesies similarly about Nineveh: 'flocks shall lie down... the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge... desolation shall be in the thresholds.' Jeremiah 9:11 warns Jerusalem will become 'a den of dragons.'

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

After 586 BC, Jerusalem's palaces, Temple, walls were destroyed or burned. Population was killed or exiled. Archaeological evidence shows abandonment layers—destruction debris, squatter occupation, minimal rebuilding. Though Jerusalem was eventually restored (Ezra-Nehemiah), the prophecy conveys the totality of judgment. Jesus later prophesied similar destruction (AD 70): 'There shall not be left here one stone upon another' (Matthew 24:2).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does seeing great cities or institutions fall into ruin demonstrate the fragility of human achievement apart from God?
  2. What 'palaces' (achievements, securities, structures) in your life might be less permanent than they appear?
  3. How should awareness that all earthly things can become 'dens for wild asses' affect priorities and investments?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
כִּֽי1 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אַרְמ֣וֹן2 of 17

Because the palaces

H759

a citadel (from its height)

נֻטָּ֔שׁ3 of 17

shall be forsaken

H5203

properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive

הֲמ֥וֹן4 of 17

the multitude

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

עִ֖יר5 of 17

of the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

עֻזָּ֑ב6 of 17

shall be left

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

עֹ֣פֶל7 of 17

the forts

H6076

a tumor

וָבַ֜חַן8 of 17

and towers

H975

a watch-tower

הָיָ֨ה9 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְעַ֤ד10 of 17
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

מְעָרוֹת֙11 of 17

shall be for dens

H4631

a cavern (as dark)

עַד12 of 17

for

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עוֹלָ֔ם13 of 17

ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

מְשׂ֥וֹשׂ14 of 17

a joy

H4885

delight, concretely (the cause or object) or abstractly (the feeling)

פְּרָאִ֖ים15 of 17

of wild asses

H6501

the onager

מִרְעֵ֥ה16 of 17

a pasture

H4829

pasture (the place or the act); also the haunt of wild animals

עֲדָרִֽים׃17 of 17

of flocks

H5739

an arrangement, i.e., muster (of animals)


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 32:14 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 32:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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