Thorns shall grow over its strongholds, nettles and thistles in its fortresses: In several passages the prophet refers to ruined cities as places where thorns and briers grow (5.6; 7.23-25; 32.13). In these two parallel lines he says thorny weeds will cover Edom’s fortified places. Thorns are thornbushes. Nettles are small shrubs with fine hairs or sharp needles on its leaves that can sting. Thistles are another kind of weed, probably also belonging to the family of thorn plants. All three of these plants are mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament, but it is not really possible to identify them precisely. When searching for equivalents, translators should bear in mind that these plants are found on dry, uncultivated land, and are generally considered weeds rather than edible plants. The verb grow is implied in the second line. For the Hebrew word rendered strongholds, see the comments on 23.13, where it is rendered “palaces.” It refers to any important buildings, such as palaces, that are fortified. For the Hebrew word rendered fortresses, see the comments on 17.3. It refers to fortified cities.

It shall be the haunt of jackals, an abode for ostriches: As well as growing wild, useless plants, the land will become a place occupied by wild creatures. Jackals are similar to foxes, except they hunt in packs rather than as solitary animals (see the comments on 13.22). In this context of abandoned buildings, it is better to render the Hebrew word for ostriches as “large owls” (see the comments on 13.21).

Translation examples for this verse are:

• Thorns will cover its palaces,
nettles and thistles [will cover] its fortresses;
the land will become the lair of jackals,
large owls will occupy it.

• Its citadels will be covered by thornbushes,
its fortresses by nettles and thistles;
the land will be taken over by wild dogs,
and occupied by owls.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .