Ezekiel 35
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1Moreover Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, 2“Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir, and prophesy against it, 3and tell it, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Behold, I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will stretch out my hand against you. I will make you a desolation and an astonishment. 4I will lay your cities waste, and you will be desolate. Then you will know that I am Yahweh. 5“‘“Because you have had a perpetual hostility, and have given over the children of Israel to the power of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time of the iniquity of the end; 6therefore, as I live,” says the Lord Yahweh, “I will prepare you for blood, and blood will pursue you. Since you have not hated blood, therefore blood will pursue you. 7Thus will I make Mount Seir an astonishment and a desolation. I will cut off from it him who passes through and him who returns. 8I will fill its mountains with its slain. The slain with the sword will fall in your hills and in your valleys and in all your watercourses. 9I will make you a perpetual desolation, and your cities will not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am Yahweh. 10“‘“Because you have said, ‘These two nations and these two countries will be mine, and we will possess it;’ whereas Yahweh was there: 11therefore, as I live,” says the Lord Yahweh, “I will do according to your anger, and according to your envy which you have shown out of your hatred against them; and I will make myself known among them when I judge you. 12You will know that I, Yahweh, have heard all your insults which you have spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, ‘They have been laid desolate. They have been given us to devour.’ 13You have magnified yourselves against me with your mouth, and have multiplied your words against me. I have heard it.” 14Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “When the whole earth rejoices, I will make you desolate. 15As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel because it was desolate, so will I do to you. You will be desolate, Mount Seir, and all Edom, even all of it. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.’”
World English Bible (public domain)
“As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so I will deal with you; you shall be desolate, Mount Seir, and all Edom, all of it. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
Ezekiel 35:15
Summary
Ezekiel 35 is a prophetic oracle against Mount Seir and the Edomites. The chapter begins with God commanding Ezekiel to prophesy against Mount Seir, symbolizing the hostility between Edom and Israel. God's judgment is declared because of Edom's perpetual enmity and bloodshed against the Israelites, demonstrating their culmination of hatred during Israel’s calamity. The text speaks to the divine principle of retributive justice, where the violence Edom inflicted will be returned upon them. In the broader biblical narrative, this passage highlights God's defense of His covenant people and His ultimate justice against the oppressors. The prophecy concludes with the assurance that Edom’s desolation will make the Israelites understand that He is the Lord, emphasizing God's sovereignty over all nations.
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Chapter outline
How Ezekiel 35 unfolds
Ezekiel 35:1–2 God's Command to Prophesy
Yahweh speaks to Ezekiel, instructing him to direct his prophecy against Mount Seir, symbolizing the Edomites' hostility.
Ezekiel 35:3–5 Judgment Against Edom
The Lord declares His opposition to Mount Seir, promising desolation due to Edom's longstanding enmity toward Israel during their calamity.
Ezekiel 35:6–7 Retributive Justice Declared
Edom's violence will return upon them, as God prepares them for bloodshed, emphasizing their culpability in Israel's suffering.
Ezekiel 35:8–10 Desolation of Edom
The prophecy continues with vivid imagery of death and destruction, laying out the extent of desolation that will befall Edom.
Ezekiel 35:11–13 Edom's Insults and Judgment
God notes Edom's arrogance and insults against His people, assuring them that He will reveal Himself when He judges them.
Ezekiel 35:14–15 Final Assurance of Desolation
The chapter concludes with the certainty of Edom’s desolation, paralleling their previous rejoicing over Israel’s downfall, affirming God's sovereignty.
Key verses
Ezekiel 35:15Ezekiel 35:15 encapsulates the chapter's message of divine retribution, affirming God's justice against those who rejoice in His people's suffering.
Main themes in Ezekiel 35
divine justice
Divine justice surfaces in verses 6-7, where God promises that Edom will face consequences for their violence. The chapter illustrates that justice is not only punitive but serves to restore balance and affirm God’s authority. This concept of justice underscores the larger narrative of God's commitment to His covenant people.
judgment
Judgment is prominently declared through the entire chapter, particularly in verses 3-5 and 14-15, where God announces Edom's fate. The detailed descriptions of desolation and destruction highlight the severity of God's response to Edom's actions. This judgment emphasizes God's role as a defender of Israel, reinforcing His sovereignty among nations.
God's sovereignty
God's sovereignty is prominently displayed in verses 10-12, where He explicitly declares His power over Edom's fate and Israel's future. Throughout the chapter, God emphasizes His authority by announcing judgment against Edom for its hostility towards Israel, illustrating that divine plans are unshakeable despite human resistance. This portrayal affirms the belief that God's purposes will ultimately triumph, reinforcing the expectation that He governs the course of history and the destinies of nations.
enmity and reconciliation
The theme of enmity is vividly illustrated in verses 5 and 11, revealing Edom's deep-seated hostility towards Israel. This animosity leads to God's judgment upon Edom, which serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of enmity not only between nations but also within the divine framework of justice. The chapter ultimately emphasizes the need for reconciliation, highlighting God's desire to restore His people and indicating that true peace can only come through acknowledging His sovereignty.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Ezekiel 35
- Obadiah 1This passage echoes the themes of judgment against Edom, emphasizing similar prophetic elements of desolation and retribution.
- Ezekiel 25This connects with Ezekiel 35 by elaborating on God's judgment against nations that oppose His people, including Edom.
- Ezekiel 36This later development reveals promises of restoration for Israel, contrasting the desolation declared over Edom.
- Amos 1This passage develops the theme of divine judgment against nations, including Edom, for their violence against Israel.
- Ezekiel 21This echoes themes of judgment and retribution, highlighting God's sovereignty over the fate of nations.
- Psalm 137This connects with the emotional weight of Israel's suffering and the joy of their enemies, including Edom, in their desolation.
Study questions
Questions for studying Ezekiel 35
- What does the instruction to prophesy against Mount Seir reveal about God's intentions toward Edom?
- How does the prophecy describe the consequences Edom will face for their actions?
- In what ways does this chapter illustrate the relationship between Edom and Israel?
- What are the specific reasons given for God's judgment on Mount Seir?
- How does God's declaration of desolation impact the understanding of His sovereignty?
- What role does retributive justice play in the narrative of Ezekiel 35?
- How does the chapter reflect on the themes of enmity and reconciliation?
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