In biblical literature, the term "satyr" is often associated with creatures that are part of ancient Near Eastern mythology and are depicted as half-man, half-goat beings. The concept of satyrs is primarily found in the context of desolation and judgment within the prophetic books of the Old Testament.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 13:21 : "But desert creatures will lie there, and their houses will be full of owls; ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about." The term "wild goats" in this passage is sometimes translated as "satyrs" in other versions. This verse is part of a prophecy against Babylon, describing its future desolation where only wild and untamed creatures will inhabit the ruins.

2. Isaiah 34:14 : "The desert creatures will meet with hyenas, and one wild goat will call to another; there the night creature will settle and find her place of repose." Here, the "wild goat" is again sometimes rendered as "satyr" in other translations. This passage speaks of the judgment upon Edom, portraying a land abandoned by humans and overrun by wild animals and mythical creatures.

Cultural and Theological Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, satyrs were often associated with wilderness, chaos, and the demonic. They were considered to be mischievous and sometimes malevolent spirits. The biblical usage of terms that are translated as "satyrs" in some versions reflects the desolation and abandonment of a place under divine judgment, emphasizing the absence of human habitation and the presence of creatures that symbolize disorder and spiritual impurity.

From a theological perspective, the mention of satyrs in the Bible serves to underscore the completeness of God's judgment upon nations that have turned away from Him. The imagery of satyrs and other wild creatures inhabiting once-thriving cities is a powerful symbol of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God.

Interpretation and Symbolism:

In conservative Christian interpretation, the references to satyrs are not seen as literal descriptions of mythical creatures but rather as symbolic representations of the spiritual and physical desolation that results from divine judgment. The use of such imagery is intended to convey the severity and totality of God's wrath against sin.

The presence of satyrs in these prophetic passages also serves as a reminder of the spiritual realities that exist beyond the physical world. It highlights the belief in spiritual warfare and the existence of demonic forces that oppose God's purposes. The desolation depicted in these passages is not only a physical reality but also a spiritual one, where the absence of God's presence leads to chaos and disorder.

In summary, the biblical references to satyrs are rich in symbolic meaning, reflecting the themes of judgment, desolation, and the spiritual consequences of turning away from God. These passages serve as a sobering reminder of the reality of divine justice and the ultimate triumph of God's righteousness over chaos and evil.Satyrs

In Greek mythology, were imaginary demons, half men and half goats, believed by the superstitious to haunt forests and groves. The Hebrew word translates satyrs in Isaiah 13:21 34:14, means hairy, shaggy creatures, such as wild goats, or perhaps monsters of the ape family. It is translated "goats" in Le 4:24, and "devils" in Le 17:7. The gambols of these wild animals on the ruins of Babylon mark is as an uninhabited and lonely waste. See APE.

8163c. sair -- a satyr, demon
... Word Origin from the same as sear Definition a satyr, demon NASB Word Usage demons
(1), satyrs (1). 8163b, 8163c. sair. 8164 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8163c.htm - 5k

The Adventures of Saint Patrick of Ireland.
... mercy and pity, they saw six lovely damsels, clad in green garments, bound to as
many trees, while round them danced a hundred fierce satyrs, terrible of aspect ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter nine the adventures of.htm

Christian Morals. Part I.
... Adjourn not this virtue until that temper, when Cato [32] could lend out his wife,
and impotent satyrs write satyrs upon lust: but be chast in thy flaming days ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/christian morals part i.htm

Statement of the Reasons Wherefore the Matters, Treated of Shortly ...
... "ostriches," the Hebrew meaning "daughters of the owl") and "satyrs." RV in 22,
"wolves" and "jackals;" in 21b, "ostriches" and "satyrs" (marg. "he-goats"). ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter i statement of the.htm

Follies of the Greek Mythology.
... he who was able to do so many and such like and so great deeds as these, how childishly
he was delighted to be stunned by the cymbals of the satyrs, and to be ...
/.../justin/justins discourse to the greeks/chapter iii follies of the greek.htm

Exhortation to Abandon the Impious Mysteries of Idolatry for the ...
... dramas and the raving poets, now quite intoxicated, let us crown with ivy; and
distracted outright as they are, in Bacchic fashion, with the satyrs, and the ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter i exhortation to abandon the.htm

Christian Morals. Part iii.
... example. Some have been far more approveable than others; but virtue and vice,
panegyricks and satyrs, scatteringly to be found in all. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/christian morals part iii.htm

The Prince Returns
... wine.". But how white the hands of that fair girl in the hills! Why, these
hands beside hers were as satyrs' hooves to anemones! Her ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xii the prince returns.htm

The Church of Notre Dame De Lorette in Paris with Its Yellow ...
... out of the hell of Paris,"fresh from the burning as it were, and smelling of the
brimstone,"demons who enjoy their demonism,"satyrs, concerning whom, one ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xiii the church of notre.htm

Isaiah's
... But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; And their houses shall be full of
doleful creatures; And ostriches shall dwell there, And satyrs shall dance ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/x isaiahs.htm

Two Archbishops
... On one occasion a furious swarm of Arians, headed by beggars who had forfeited their
claim to pity, monks who looked like goats or satyrs, and women more ...
/.../chapter xiii two archbishops.htm

Satyrs (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Satyrs (3 Occurrences). Leviticus 17:7 And they
shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices unto the he-goats ...
/s/satyrs.htm - 7k

Satyr
... When it is said (Isaiah 13:21; Comp. 34:14) "the satyrs shall dance there," the
meaning is that the place referred to shall become a desolate waste. ...
/s/satyr.htm - 12k

Owls (7 Occurrences)
... 13:21 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 ...
/o/owls.htm - 8k

Goat (92 Occurrences)
... The same name is used of devils (Leviticus 17:7 2 Chronicles 11:15, the Revised
Version (British and American) "he-goats") and of satyrs (Isaiah 13:21; Isaiah ...
/g/goat.htm - 48k

Greece (15 Occurrences)
... Gods, nymphs and satyrs, noble "heroes" or evil spirits have superhuman powers in
varying degree, but they remain persons with a human interest because of ...
/g/greece.htm - 59k

Doleful (2 Occurrences)
... 13:21 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 ...
/d/doleful.htm - 8k

Dionysus
... with pointed ears, snub noses and goat-tails. These creatures were called
satyrs. The vine was cultivated among European-Aryans ...
/d/dionysus.htm - 9k

Bacchus
... with pointed ears, snub noses and goat-tails. These creatures were called
satyrs. The vine was cultivated among European-Aryans ...
/b/bacchus.htm - 12k

Shaggy (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 13:21 But wild-cats shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of ferrets;
and ostriches shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. (See NAS). ...
/s/shaggy.htm - 7k

Ancient (64 Occurrences)
... Gods, nymphs and satyrs, noble "heroes" or evil spirits have superhuman powers in
varying degree, but they remain persons with a human interest because of ...
/a/ancient.htm - 98k

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