Lexical Summary chatsir: abode Original Word: חָצִיר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance court A collateral form of chatser; a court or abode -- court. see HEBREW chatser NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as chatser Definition a settled abode, haunt NASB Translation abode (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. חָצִיר noun [masculine] settled abode or haunt ("" form of חָצֵר above, or text error for it); — נְוֵה תַנִּים חָצִיר לִבְנוֺת יַעֲנָה Isaiah 34:13 a dwelling of jackals (and) a hunt for ostriches; also בִּנְוֵת תַנִּים רִבְצָהּ חָצִיר לְקָנֶה וָגֹ֑מֶא Isaiah 35:7 an abode, home, of reeds and rushes (so Che Di Du and others; others put this under II. חָצִיר); Che Du think the see mutilated, and would emend this line according to Isaiah 34:13. Topical Lexicon Botanical Background חָצִיר in Isaiah 34:13 designates a coarse, wild growth that springs up in neglected ground—an untended “grass” or “bramble” that quickly invades ruined structures. It is not the lush pasture of fertile fields but the wiry, drought-tolerant vegetation typical of Near-Eastern wastelands. In modern taxonomy it may correspond to hardy desert grasses or shrubby sedges that thrive where soil is thin and salinity high. Geographical and Historical Setting Isaiah 34 targets Edom and, by extension, every nation that sets itself against the purposes of God. The region south of the Dead Sea was prone to flash flooding followed by long seasons of aridity. When cities were abandoned, opportunistic plants rapidly colonized cracked walls and empty courtyards. The prophet seizes that familiar image: fortifications once echoing with commerce now choked by חָצִיר. Literary Function in Isaiah’s Oracle of Judgment “Thorns will overgrow her citadels, nettles and brambles her strongholds” (Isaiah 34:13). The word paints desolation in three strokes: 1. Reversal of pride—palaces overrun by weeds expose the impotence of human achievement before divine wrath. Theological Significance חָצִיר embodies the transience of human glory in the face of God’s sovereignty. While Isaiah 34 speaks of Edom, the theme resonates across Scripture: “All flesh is grass, and all its glory is like the flowers of the field” (Isaiah 40:6). Judgment passages use drying vegetation as a metaphor for lives cut short (Psalm 37:2; James 1:11). Conversely, covenant blessing is portrayed as luxuriant pasture (Psalm 23:2). The term thus serves as a literary fulcrum contrasting divine blessing and curse. Comparative References to Grass Imagery • Psalm 103:15-16 — frailty of man. These texts broaden the theological canvas begun in Isaiah 34, showing that the destiny of nations and of individuals follows the same principle: life apart from God withers; life rooted in His word endures. Ministry Applications 1. Preaching on Sovereignty and Humility: חָצִיר invites congregations to examine whether personal or national ambitions stand opposed to God’s will. Christological Perspective Where Edom’s fortresses crumble, Jesus Christ builds an indestructible kingdom. His parables invert Isaiah’s scene: the tiniest seed grows into a tree that shelters birds (Matthew 13:31-32). The withered grass of judgment gives way to the resurrection life of the One who “will not leave you as orphans” (John 14:18). Practical Exhortation Believers are called to cultivate what endures—obedience, gospel proclamation, and compassionate service—lest their own “strongholds” become overrun with חָצִיר. Regular self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5) keeps defenses sound, ensuring that spiritual neglect does not invite the wilderness indoors. Related Terms and Distinctions • סִירִים (sirîm) — thorn bushes, emphasizing pain. Together they form a triad frequently used by prophets to dramatize total desolation. Summary In its lone appearance, חָצִיר anchors Isaiah’s prophecy of judgment with a vivid picture of abandonment. Its theological weight, however, extends far beyond Edom, warning every generation that without God even the strongest towers become weed-covered ruins, while those who heed His word flourish eternally. Forms and Transliterations חָצִ֖יר חציר chaTzir ḥā·ṣîr ḥāṣîrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 34:13 HEB: נְוֵ֣ה תַנִּ֔ים חָצִ֖יר לִבְנ֥וֹת יַעֲנָֽה׃ NAS: of jackals [And] an abode of ostriches. KJV: of dragons, [and] a court for owls. INT: haunt of dragons an abode first of ostriches |
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