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Ezekiel 35

ScriptureDepth's study of Ezekiel 35

“As 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.’”

Ezekiel 35:15

Yahweh speaks to Mount Seir, declaring that as they rejoiced over Israel's desolation, they too will be made desolate, solidifying divine retribution.

What Ezekiel 35 is about

Yahweh commands Ezekiel to prophesy against Mount Seir (vv. 1-2). He declares that He is against it and will make it desolate and astonishing (vv. 3-5). This judgment is due to Edom's perpetual hostility and betrayal of Israel during its troubles (v. 5). Yahweh promises retributive justice, stating that blood will pursue Edom for their violence (vv. 6-7). The destruction will lead to many dead across the mountains and valleys (vv. 8-10). Yahweh accuses Edom of claiming Israel's land for themselves, and He will act against their hatred (vv. 11-13). Edom has insulted Yahweh and rejoiced over Israel's misfortunes (vv. 12-13). Finally, Yahweh assures that while the earth rejoices, Edom will be made desolate, knowing He is Yahweh (vv. 14-15).

The prophecy assures that Edom will face destruction and recognize Yahweh's sovereignty over their actions.

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Ezekiel 35 at a glance

  1. Ezekiel 35:1–2God's Command to Prophesy
  2. Ezekiel 35:3–5Judgment Against Edom
  3. Ezekiel 35:6–7Retributive Justice Declared
  4. Ezekiel 35:8–10Desolation of Edom
  5. Ezekiel 35:11–13Edom's Insults and Judgment
  6. Ezekiel 35:14–15Final Assurance of Desolation

Key verse: Ezekiel 35:15

One thing to notice

The phrase 'I am Yahweh' appears in verses 4, 9, and 15, each time associated with a declaration of judgment or desolation. This phrase marks critical points in the text regarding the judgment on Edom.

Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.

Chapter text

Read Ezekiel 35 (WEB)

God's Command to Prophesy Ezekiel 35:1–2

Verse 1. Moreover Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, Verse 2. “Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir, and prophesy against it,

Judgment Against Edom Ezekiel 35:3–5

Verse 3. and 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. Verse 4. I will lay your cities waste, and you will be desolate. Then you will know that I am Yahweh. Verse 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;

Retributive Justice Declared Ezekiel 35:6–7

Verse 6. therefore, 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. Verse 7. Thus will I make Mount Seir an astonishment and a desolation. I will cut off from it him who passes through and him who returns.

Desolation of Edom Ezekiel 35:8–10

Verse 8. I 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. Verse 9. I will make you a perpetual desolation, and your cities will not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am Yahweh. Verse 10. “‘“Because you have said, ‘These two nations and these two countries will be mine, and we will possess it;’ whereas Yahweh was there:

Edom's Insults and Judgment Ezekiel 35:11–13

Verse 11. therefore, 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. Verse 12. You 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.’ Verse 13. You have magnified yourselves against me with your mouth, and have multiplied your words against me. I have heard it.”

Final Assurance of Desolation Ezekiel 35:14–15

Verse 14. Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “When the whole earth rejoices, I will make you desolate. Verse 15. As 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)

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Main themes in Ezekiel 35

divine justice

Ezekiel 35 articulates divine justice through the pronouncement of judgment against Edom, specifically directed at Mount Seir. In verse 4, God declares, 'I will make you a desolation and an astonishment,' signaling the severe outcomes of Edom's actions. The chapter elaborates on the reasons for this judgment, particularly Edom's animosity towards Israel. This context shows that justice is enacted upon those who have wronged others.

judgment

Judgment is central in this prophecy, where God pronounces a verdict against Edom for its actions against Israel. Notably in v. 15, God states, 'you will be desolate, Mount Seir, and all Edom,' thereby making clear the impending consequences. The text transitions into a proclamation of desolation as a direct outcome of Edom's past actions, presenting a vivid picture of divine response to human wrongdoing.

God's sovereignty

God's sovereignty is evident as He declares His intent to act against Edom in v. 3, stating, 'I am against you, Mount Seir.' This assertion of power against a nation indicates that ultimate authority rests with God. The narrative progresses with God's assurance that Edom will know His sovereignty through the desolation that He will bring about, reinforcing the theme that no entity can stand against divine will.

enmity and reconciliation

Edom's enmity toward Israel is a recurring focus, particularly highlighted in v. 5, where it states, 'you have had a perpetual hostility.' This hostility has led to divine judgment, as God ensures that Edom will be made desolate. The chapter closes with the notion that such enmity results in separation from God, suggesting that reconciliation is not possible while enmity persists.

Chapter outline

How Ezekiel 35 unfolds

  1. Ezekiel 35:1–2 God's Command to Prophesy

    Yahweh commands Ezekiel to prophesy against Mount Seir, instructing him to direct his words toward this location (vv. 1-2).

  2. Ezekiel 35:3–5 Judgment Against Edom

    Ezekiel proclaims Yahweh's intent to oppose Mount Seir, declaring it will become a desolation and astonishment. This is a direct judgment against Edom for its hostility (vv. 3-5).

  3. Ezekiel 35:6–7 Retributive Justice Declared

    Yahweh declares retributive justice for Edom's violence, stating that blood will pursue them as they have not hated bloodshed. This highlights the nature of their punishment (vv. 6-7).

  4. Ezekiel 35:8–10 Desolation of Edom

    Desolation is foretold as the slain will fill the mountains and valleys of Edom. This vividly portrays the extent of the destruction that awaits them (vv. 8-10).

  5. Ezekiel 35:11–13 Edom's Insults and Judgment

    Yahweh declares his awareness of Edom’s insults toward Israel, stating that he will respond to their hatred and mockery (vv. 11-13).

  6. Ezekiel 35:14–15 Final Assurance of Desolation

    Yahweh announces that while the earth rejoices, he will make Edom desolate, stating that they will know his authority through this judgment (vv. 14-15).

Key verses

  • Ezekiel 35:15Yahweh speaks to Mount Seir, declaring that as they rejoiced over Israel's desolation, they too will be made desolate, solidifying divine retribution.

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Study questions

Questions for studying Ezekiel 35

SummarizeObserveInterpretApply

Uses your daily Ask questions.

  1. observeIn v2, what does God tell Ezekiel to set his face against?
  2. observeWhat phrase in v5 describes Edom's attitude toward Israel during their calamity?
  3. interpretIn v10, what does Edom mean by saying, 'These two nations and these two countries will be mine'?
  4. interpretIn v12, how does God respond to Edom's insults against the mountains of Israel?
  5. applyWhen have you experienced hostility from others, as described in v5?

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Ezekiel 35: frequently asked questions

What is Ezekiel 35 about?+
Yahweh commands Ezekiel to prophesy against Mount Seir (vv. 1-2).
What is the key verse in Ezekiel 35?+
Ezekiel 35:15: “As 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.’”
What are the main themes of Ezekiel 35?+
The main themes of Ezekiel 35 are divine justice, judgment, God's sovereignty, enmity and reconciliation.

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Study Notes