Jackals

In the Bible, jackals are often depicted as symbols of desolation and ruin. These animals are frequently mentioned in the context of judgment and the aftermath of destruction. The Hebrew word often translated as "jackal" is "tannim," which can also refer to other creatures like dragons or sea monsters, depending on the context. Jackals are scavengers, known for inhabiting deserted and ruined places, which aligns with their biblical symbolism.

One of the notable references to jackals is found in the book of Isaiah, where the prophet describes the desolation of Edom: "But desert creatures will lie down there, and their houses will be full of owls; ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about. Hyenas will howl in their fortresses, and jackals in their luxurious palaces. Her time is near, and her days will not be prolonged" (Isaiah 13:21-22). Here, jackals are part of the imagery used to convey the complete devastation and abandonment of a once-thriving city.

Jeremiah also uses the imagery of jackals to describe the desolation of Jerusalem: "For this, the earth mourns; the skies above are darkened. I have spoken, I have planned, and I will not relent, nor will I turn back from it. At the sound of horsemen and archers, every town takes to flight. They enter the thickets and climb among the rocks. Every city is abandoned; no inhabitant is left. And you, O devastated one, what will you do? Though you dress in scarlet, though you adorn yourself with gold jewelry, though you enlarge your eyes with paint, you beautify yourself in vain. Your lovers despise you; they seek your life. For I hear a cry like a woman in labor, a cry of anguish like one bearing her first child—the cry of the Daughter of Zion gasping for breath, stretching out her hands: ‘Woe is me, for my soul faints before the murderers!’” (Jeremiah 4:28-31). The presence of jackals in these passages underscores the theme of divine judgment and the consequences of turning away from God.

Ostriches

Ostriches are mentioned in the Bible as creatures that inhabit desolate and barren places, often alongside jackals. The Hebrew word for ostrich is "ya'anah," and these birds are used in biblical literature to symbolize neglect and abandonment. Ostriches are known for their apparent lack of concern for their young, which is highlighted in the book of Job: "The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but cannot match the pinions and feathers of the stork. For she leaves her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand. She forgets that a foot may crush them, or a wild animal may trample them. She treats her young harshly, as if not her own, with no concern that her labor was in vain. For God has deprived her of wisdom; He has not endowed her with understanding" (Job 39:13-17). This passage uses the behavior of the ostrich to illustrate a lack of wisdom and understanding, contrasting it with the care and attention that other creatures provide to their offspring.

In the prophetic literature, ostriches are again associated with desolation. In Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah laments the destruction of Jerusalem and compares the suffering of the people to the neglectful nature of ostriches: "Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but the daughter of my people has become cruel, like ostriches in the wilderness" (Lamentations 4:3). This comparison emphasizes the severity of the situation and the extent of the people's suffering.

Overall, both jackals and ostriches serve as powerful symbols in the Bible, representing desolation, judgment, and the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. Their presence in the biblical narrative underscores the themes of divine retribution and the stark reality of life apart from God's protection and guidance.