ya.sham describes land, cities, high places, or altars becoming desolate in scenes of devastation or threatened loss.

The attested use describes places becoming desolate: a land affected by violence, cities and high places marked for destruction, and land facing the danger of abandonment or loss.

1. Becoming desolate through devastation or loss · dominant

   In Ezekiel 12:19, the feminine singular imperfect occurs in the clause about the land being made desolate because of its inhabitants' violence; the APB renders the wider clause “the land shall be made desolate.” Ezekiel 19:7 similarly places the singular form with the land and its fullness after cities are laid waste, while Ezekiel 6:6 uses the feminine plural imperfect amid the destruction of cities, high places, and altars. In Genesis 47:19, the singular form concerns the feared outcome that the land may not be desolate as its people seek food and seed.

   Ezekiel 12:19Ezekiel 19:7Ezekiel 6:6Genesis 47:19

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the clauses with “made desolate,” “will be desolate,” and “may not be desolate.” These phrases confirm the overall scenes rather than establish a separate rendering for each form.