אִי (i)
i
wild beast
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun i refers to a wild animal, specifically identified as the jackal. This creature is characterized by its loud, haunting calls, which gave rise to its common gloss as a "howling beast." Unlike larger predators such as lions or bears, the jackal is associated with desolation and ruins, often scavenging in abandoned places where human activity has ceased.
Its biblical presence is sparse but significant, appearing in only three verses, primarily within the prophetic books of Isaiah and Jeremiah. In these contexts, the animal serves as a vivid symbol of judgment and emptiness. The sources highlight that its appearance signals a land turned into a wasteland, where the noise of life is replaced by the eerie cries of these solitary hunters.
The word’s etymological root connects it to the act of howling or crying out, emphasizing the creature's noisy nature rather than its physical size. Translators typically render it as "jackal" to preserve this specific image of desolation. The term does not denote a general wild animal but points precisely to this scavenger that thrives in the aftermath of destruction, making it a potent literary device for describing societal collapse.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word i points specifically to the jackal, a scavenger that thrives in ruins rather than in thriving communities. In the Hebrew Bible, this creature is not just an animal but a powerful symbol of desolation. When prophets use this term, they are describing places where human life has vanished, leaving only the haunting cries of wild beasts in abandoned palaces and fortresses.
For a reader today, this imagery offers a sobering perspective on the consequences of turning away from wisdom and justice. The presence of the jackal signals a shift from order to chaos, from community to isolation. It reminds us that our actions have lasting impacts on the world around us, and that true peace requires more than just physical safety.
Yet, this stark picture also highlights the value of restoration. When lands are filled with such creatures, it marks a deep loss. The hope found in Scripture is always tied to renewal—where ruins become dwellings again, and silence is replaced by the voices of people living in harmony. This word invites us to cherish the communities we build and to seek peace before desolation takes hold.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- hyenas3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אִיִּ֔ים2×
- אִיִּים֙1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 13:22
Hyenas will cry in their fortresses, and jackals in the pleasant palaces. Her time is near to come, and her days will not be prolonged.
This verse uses the jackal to illustrate the total collapse of Babylon, showing how once-pleasant palaces become haunts for scavengers after judgment falls.
-
Isaiah 34:14
The wild animals of the desert will meet with the wolves, and the wild goat will cry to his fellow. Yes, the night creature shall settle there, and shall find herself a place of rest.
Here the term appears in a prophecy against Edom, emphasizing that the land will be so utterly abandoned that even night creatures will claim it as their resting place.
-
Jeremiah 50:39
Therefore the wild animals of the desert with the wolves will dwell there. The ostriches will dwell therein. It will be inhabited no more forever, neither will it be lived in from generation to generation.
The prophet applies this image to Babylon's future, stating that wild animals like jackals and ostriches will dwell there forever, marking the end of human habitation.