John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 34:14

"And the wild beasts of the desert shall meet with the wolves, and the wild goat shall cry to his fellow; yea, the night-monster shall settle there, and shall find her a place of rest." — Isaiah 34:14 (ASV)

And the wild beasts shall meet with the satyrs. These animals are thought by some commentators to mean fauns, by others screech owls or goblins, and by others satyrs; and it is not fully agreed what the exact meaning of the Hebrew words is. However, it would serve no good purpose to trouble ourselves greatly about them, as it is sufficient if we understand the meaning and design of the Prophet.

He draws a picture of frightful desolation, as if to say that Idumea will be destroyed, leaving it without inhabitants; instead of people, it will be inhabited by frightful beasts. This reward is most justly reaped by the ambition of those who built costly palaces to be, as we have already said, monuments to their name and reputation. Yet this is also a punishment threatened against the cruelty of a wicked nation, which was eagerly bent on oppressing its neighbors and brothers.

Although we cannot absolutely determine whether the Prophet means witches, goblins, or satyrs and fauns, it is universally agreed that these words denote animals that have the shape of humans. We also see what various delusions Satan practices, what phantoms and hideous monsters are seen, and what sounds and noises are heard. But we have already spoken of these things in the thirteenth chapter.

The sin that God punished so severely in a single nation is common to almost every nation. For those splendid buildings are rarely erected without committing much violence and injustice against the poor and causing great and numerous troubles for others. As a result, the lime, stones, and timber are filled with blood in the sight of God. Therefore, as Habakkuk says,

The stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall bear witness to it. (Habakkuk 2:11).

Let us not wonder, therefore, at those dreadful changes when ambition seizes plunder and wicked extortions; instead, let us contemplate the righteous judgments of God.