The Hebrew word oach refers to a howling or wailing creature, most likely a type of owl or desert creature known for its mournful cry. The word appears in poetic and prophetic contexts to evoke desolation and divine judgment on fallen cities.
In biblical imagery, the desolate haunts of owls and wild creatures represent places abandoned by God's blessing and given over to ruin. When the prophets describe fallen Babylon or Edom as dwelling places of oach, they signal total reversal — once-thriving cities become wilderness. This imagery carries a sobering warning: human pride and rebellion ultimately produce desolation. The jackal's howl over ruined empires magnifies God's sovereignty over all human achievement.