Satyr
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Satyr in the Bible?
The Hebrew term se'irim, found in passages such as Isaiah 13:21 and 34:14, refers to desert-dwelling creatures or demonic entities inhabiting ruined cities. Although later translations often equated these beings with Greek satyrs, modern philological analysis indicates that the term likely denotes wild goats or specific desert spirits within ancient Near Eastern cosmology rather than direct borrowings from Hellenistic mythology.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing that se'irim represents indigenous ancient Near Eastern concepts of chaotic desert entities, rather than imported Greek mythological figures, clarifies the biblical authors' unique worldview. This distinction helps readers understand how the text conceptualizes desolate places as realms of non-human danger, providing a more accurate interpretation of the cultural and theological context behind these prophetic warnings.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Satyr in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Satyr clarify?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.