לִילִית (li.lit)
li.lit
night-creature
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun lilith appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Isaiah 34:14. It refers to a creature associated with darkness and solitude, likely a nocturnal animal or a mythological figure linked to desolate places. The text describes it as haunting the ruins of Edom, a region often symbolizing judgment and abandonment.
Lexical sources suggest the term may derive from ancient Near Eastern traditions involving night demons or spirits. While some translations render it as "night monster" or "screech owl," the original word carries connotations of a female entity that dwells in uninhabited areas, reinforcing the theme of total desolation.
This single occurrence emphasizes the completeness of destruction. By populating the ruined land with such a creature, the prophet illustrates how even the most remote and feared places become inhabited by beings of the night, leaving no trace of human order or light.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word lilith appears only once in Scripture, in Isaiah 34:14. It describes a creature that settles in ruined places, highlighting the total desolation of Edom. This imagery shows how complete judgment can be, leaving no trace of human order or light.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God’s justice is real and thorough. Yet it also points to His sovereignty over all creation, even the darkest corners. When we face seasons of uncertainty or loss, we can trust that God is present even in the ruins, bringing hope where there seems to be none.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] night-creature1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לִּילִ֔ית1×
Key Verses
-
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.
This verse uses the word to depict the complete abandonment of Edom, showing that even feared creatures inhabit the ruins.