desolate, desolated, desolation, deserted, desolator

Definition

The terms “desolate” and “desolation,” when used to refer to a place or location, refer to the state or condition of being ruined and left fully or partially uninhabited. The term “desolate,” when referring to a person or group of people, describes a state or condition of ruin, loneliness, and grief.

• If a field where crops are growing is made desolate, it means that something has destroyed the crops, such as insects or an invading army.
• A “desolate region” refers to an area of land that is partially deserted or abandoned and therefore has few people living there.
• If a city is “made desolate” it means that its buildings and goods have been destroyed or stolen, and its people have been killed or captured. The city becomes “empty” and “ruined.” This is similar to the meaning of “devastate” or “devastated,” but with more emphasis on the emptiness.
• A “desolate land” or “wilderness” was often where outcasts (such as lepers) and dangerous animals lived.
• Depending on the context, this term, when referring to a city or region, could be translated as “ruined” or “destroyed” or “laid waste” or “abandoned” or “deserted.”
• Depending on the context, this term, when referring to a person or people group, could be translated as “lonely and outcast” or “deserted.”
• A “desolator” is one who causes desolation.

(See also: desert, devastate, ruin, waste)

Bible References

• 2 Kings 22:19
• Acts 1:20
• Daniel 9:17-19
• Lamentations 3:11
• Luke 11:17
• Matthew 12:25

Word Data

• Strong’s: H0490, H0816, H0910, H1565, H2717, H2720, H2721, H2723, H3173, H3341, H3456, H3582, H4875, H4923, H5352, H5800, H7582, H7701, H7722, H8047, H8074, H8076, H8077, G20480, G20490, G20500, G34430