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.

ISAIAH 13:22KJV
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Isaiah 13:22 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 13:22 mean?

Isaiah 13:22 describes how the once-beautiful palaces of Babylon will become so deserted that only wild animals and creatures will live there, crying out in the empty ruins. The verse ends by saying that Babylon’s destruction is close at hand and will not be delayed.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is speaking God’s message of judgment against Babylon, warning that its proud and luxurious buildings will soon be abandoned and overtaken by wild beasts. The language paints a vivid picture of total desolation, showing that Babylon’s downfall is certain and imminent.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 13:22

  • "Dragons" is from תַּנִּין (tannîn), often understood as referring to large, mysterious creatures or jackals in ancient Hebrew, not the mythical dragons of later stories. This word emphasizes the eerie, wild emptiness that will replace Babylon’s former glory.
  • "Pleasant" is from הֵדֶן (heydhen), which points to something delightful or luxurious. The contrast between these once-pleasant palaces and their future as homes for wild creatures highlights the depth of Babylon’s coming ruin.
  • "Palaces" is from הֵיכָל (heykhal), a word that can mean a grand building or temple. Its use here underlines how even the most impressive and important places will be left in ruins.

Why Isaiah 13:22 matters

  • This verse clears up that the judgment on Babylon is not just about defeat in battle, but about a complete and lasting desolation where no people remain, only wild animals.
  • The vivid imagery connects to the wider chapter, which describes Babylon’s fall as part of God’s larger plan to humble proud nations.
  • Understanding the original words for "dragons" and "palaces" helps modern readers see the dramatic reversal from luxury and power to emptiness and ruin.

Where else these words appear

“pleasant” Hebrew H6027 · used in 2 verses

  • Isaiah 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

“islands” Hebrew H338 · used in 3 verses

  • Isaiah 34:14 The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest.
  • Jeremiah 50:39 Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation.

“dragons” Hebrew H8577 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
  • Psalms 74:13 Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.
  • Jeremiah 10:22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.

“prolonged” Hebrew H4900 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 37:28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
  • Nehemiah 9:30 Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.
  • Isaiah 5:18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: