ישעיהו, פרק י״ג, פסוק כ׳

A once-mighty empire that conquered the entire world is destined to become a terrifying, desolate ruin. The prophecy of Babylon's fall paints a picture of absolute, extreme emptiness, a place completely stripped of human and animal life and left in a state of eternal destruction.

The city will be entirely emptied of its inhabitants and will never be settled again. Commentators note a careful distinction in the nature of this abandonment. It will not only lack permanent, continuous settlement forever, but it will also be devoid of even temporary, passing encampments throughout all future generations [מלבי״ם].

The desolation will be so profound that it will repel even the most hardened wanderers. The primary approach among commentators is that nomadic tribes, who spend their entire lives moving from place to place and living in tents, will refuse to set up camp there. Even though these nomads are fully accustomed to harsh desert conditions, the sheer magnitude of the wasteland will keep them far away [רש״י, אבן עזרא, רד״ק, מצודת דוד].

A unique alternative approach shifts the focus from nomads pitching tents to a traveler stranded at night. In this view, if a wanderer happens to be caught in the ruins at evening and is forced to sleep there, he will be too terrified to kindle a light or a fire. He will fear that the illumination might attract the dangerous wild beasts and snakes that swarm throughout the rubble [מלבי״ם].

The devastation reaches an even deeper level of isolation, extending to those who work the land. The prophecy builds a gradual picture of ruin, showing that just as respected people will avoid establishing permanent homes or temporary tents, even simple shepherds will stay away. These shepherds, who are entirely used to sleeping on the bare earth without a roof over their heads, will not dare to lay their flocks down to rest in the area [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, אברבנאל].

This absolute avoidance stems from the fact that the ground itself will be cursed, unable to grow any grass for grazing [רש״י, אברבנאל]. Furthermore, the ruins will be transformed into a den for predatory animals, casting a shadow of mortal fear over anyone who might think to approach [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].