ישעיהו, פרק ל״ד, פסוק י״ג

Total destruction transforms the ultimate symbols of human power and security into a wild, untamed wasteland. Places that once pulsed with bustling life, from grand palaces built for times of peace to mighty fortresses designed for war, are completely abandoned and ultimately conquered by harsh nature and wild animals [מלבי״ם]. It is the natural way of ruined, desolate locations to become entirely overgrown with wild vegetation [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. As a result, the once-great structures are choked by various species of sharp thorns and stinging weeds, erasing the remnants of human civilization.

In the aftermath of this collapse, the ruined city is repurposed into a habitat for dangerous creatures. Ordinarily, such a dwelling implies a peaceful, quiet meadow where flocks of sheep safely rest. Here, however, the idea is applied with sharp irony, as the peaceful pasture is replaced by a dark den for wild animals [מלבי״ם]. Commentators debate the exact nature of these new inhabitants; some identify them as savage beasts [רש״י, שטיינזלץ], while others suggest they are a species of snake [מצודת ציון].

The desolate grounds also become a haven for desert birds [מצודת ציון] or nocturnal birds of prey [שטיינזלץ]. The primary approach among commentators is that the ruined spaces are transformed into open courtyards where these birds make their permanent home [רד״ק, שד״ל, שטיינזלץ, אבן עזרא, מצודת ציון]. Alternatively, another perspective suggests that the harsh environment provides these creatures with sustenance rather than just shelter. In this view, the fierce thorns and tough vegetation growing among the ruins serve directly as their food, perfectly suiting their unique nature to consume hard, unforgiving objects like broken glass and glowing coals [מלבי״ם].