Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, birds are often depicted as inhabitants of deserted or desolate cities, symbolizing the complete abandonment and desolation of once-thriving places. This imagery is used to convey the consequences of divine judgment and the fulfillment of prophetic declarations.One of the most vivid examples of this is found in the prophecy against Babylon. In Isaiah 13:21 , the prophet declares, "But desert creatures will lie there, and their houses will be full of owls; ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about." This passage illustrates the transformation of Babylon from a bustling city to a desolate wasteland, inhabited only by creatures of the wild, including birds. The presence of these birds signifies the total and irreversible desolation decreed by God. Similarly, the fate of Edom is described in terms of avian habitation. Isaiah 34:11 states, "The desert owl and screech owl will possess it; the great owl and the raven will dwell in it. The LORD will stretch out over Edom the measuring line of chaos and the plumb line of destruction." Here, the imagery of birds dwelling in Edom underscores the thoroughness of divine judgment, as the land becomes a haunt for creatures associated with desolation and ruin. Jeremiah also uses this motif in his prophecies. In Jeremiah 9:11 , the prophet laments, "I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins, a haunt for jackals; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant." Although birds are not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the concept of desolation is consistent with the imagery of birds inhabiting deserted cities, as seen in other prophetic texts. The book of Zephaniah further reinforces this theme. Zephaniah 2:14 describes the fate of Nineveh: "Flocks and herds will lie down in her midst, creatures of every kind. The desert owl and the screech owl will roost in her columns. Their calls will echo through the windows; rubble will be in the doorways, and the beams of cedar will be exposed." The presence of birds in the ruins of Nineveh serves as a testament to the city's complete destruction and abandonment. In these passages, birds are not merely incidental inhabitants of deserted cities; they are symbolic of the fulfillment of God's judgment. Their presence in the ruins serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. The imagery of birds dwelling in desolate places is a powerful tool used by the biblical authors to communicate the severity and finality of divine retribution. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 34:11,14,15But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out on it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The City of God. Index of Subjects. Paul in Athens. City of God The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal The First Theban Empire Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200 The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt Resources What does it mean that Jesus had nowhere to lay His head? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the Parable of the Mustard Seed? | GotQuestions.org What does God want me to do? | GotQuestions.org Birds: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Birds are Hostile to Strange Kinds Birds of Cruel and Rapacious Kings Birds of People of Different Countries Birds of the Devil and his Spirits Birds: (Snaring) Designs of the Wicked Birds: Called: Birds of the Air Birds: Called: Fowls of Heaven Birds: Called: Fowls of the Air Birds: Clean: Offered in Sacrifice Birds: Confinement of, in Cages Alluded To Birds: Created for the Glory of God Birds: Creation of, on the Fifth Creative Day Birds: Differ in Flesh from Beasts and Fishes Birds: Early Distinguished Into Clean and Clean Birds: Have Each Their Peculiar Note or Song Birds: Herb of the Field Given As Food To Birds: Inhabit: Deserted Cities Birds: Instinct of, Inferior to Man's Reason Birds: Lessons of Wisdom to be Learned From Birds: Make Their Nests in Clefts of Rocks Birds: Make Their Nests in Deserted Cities Birds: Make Their Nests in Trees Birds: Make Their Nests: On the Ground Birds: Make Their Nests: Under the Roofs of Houses Birds: Make, and Dwell in Nests Birds: Many Kinds of, Carnivorous Birds: Many Kinds of, Graniverous Birds: Many Kinds of, Migratory Birds: Moses' Law Protected the Mother from Being Taken With the Young Birds: Names Given To, by Adam Birds: No Likeness of, to be Made for Worship Birds: Not to be Eaten With Their Young Birds: Often Remove from Places Suffering Calamities Birds: Often Suffered for Man's Sin Birds: Often Worshipped by Idolaters Birds: Power Over Given to Man Birds: Rapid Flight of, Alluded To Birds: Solomon Wrote the History of Birds: Songs of, at the Break of Day Birds: Taken in Snares or Nets Birds: The Blood of, not to be Eaten Birds: Unclean: Not to be Eaten Birds: What Species Were Unclean Related Terms |
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