Ezekiel35

The word of the LORD came to Ezekiel, commanding him to prophesy against Mount Seir. God declared His opposition to Seir, vowing to make it utterly desolate due to its perpetual hatred and shedding of Israelite blood during their time of calamity. Furthermore, Seir's desire to possess Israel's land and its blasphemies against God would result in its complete and perpetual ruin, so that they might know the LORD.

Prophecy Against Mount Seir

1
The word of ADONAI came to me:
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"Human being, turn your face against Mount Se'ir; prophesy against it, ​
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and say that Adonai ELOHIM says, 'I am against you, Mount Se'ir. I will stretch out my hand against you and make you utterly desolate.
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I will make your cities ruins and make you an utter waste, and you will know that I am ADONAI.

Edom's Perpetual Hatred

5
Because of your long-standing hatred, you put the people of Isra'el to the sword at their time of calamity, at the time of final iniquity. ​
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Therefore, as I live,' Adonai ELOHIM swears, 'I will prepare you for blood. Blood will pursue you. You intensely hate your own blood [relatives]; therefore blood will pursue you. ​
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Yes, I will make Mount Se'ir utterly desolate, cutting off from it anyone passing through or returning.
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I will fill his mountains with his slain; in your hills and valleys and in all your ravines will fall those slain by the sword.
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I will turn you into perpetual ruins; your cities will not return; and you will know that I am ADONAI. ​

Edom's Boast and Final Desolation

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"'Because you say, "These two nations, these two countries, will be mine; we will take possession of them," even though ADONAI is there; ​
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therefore, as I live,' swears Adonai ELOHIM, 'I will deal with you as your anger and envy arising from your hatred deserve; and I will make myself known among them when I judge you. ​
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You will know that I, ADONAI, have heard all your blasphemous talk against the mountains of Isra'el, such as, "They are desolated, they are given to us to devour." ​
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Moreover, you have boasted against me with your mouths, speaking more and more against me - I have heard it.'
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Here is what Adonai ELOHIM says: 'To the joy of all the land, I will desolate you.
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Since you rejoiced over possessing the house of Isra'el, because it was desolate, that is what I will do to you - you will be desolate, Mount Se'ir and all Edom, all of it. Then they will know that I am ADONAI.' ​

Study Notes for Ezekiel 35

Verse 2

Mount Seir is the mountainous territory of Edom (descendants of Esau), located southeast of the Dead Sea. This oracle against Edom is a common feature in prophetic literature (e.g., Obadiah), symbolizing the ultimate removal of forces hostile to God’s people.

Verse 5

The core charge against Edom is 'perpetual hatred' (Hebrew: *'eybat 'olam*). This refers to their consistent hostility toward Israel, culminating when Jerusalem fell in 586 BC, the 'time of their calamity.' The phrase 'when their iniquity had an end' refers to the completion of Israel’s punishment by God.

Verse 6

This verse invokes the principle of *lex talionis* (retribution). Because Edom actively sought bloodshed against God's people, God promises that violence will be their inevitable and perpetual fate. 'Sith' means 'since' or 'seeing that.'

Verse 9

The promise of 'perpetual desolations' contrasts sharply with the future restoration promised to Israel in the subsequent chapters (Ezekiel 36-37). Edom’s judgment is final and irrevocable.

Verse 10

The 'two nations and these two countries' are Judah and Israel. Edom saw Israel’s exile as an opportunity to seize the Promised Land, completely disregarding the divine covenant. The phrase 'whereas the LORD was there' is critical, emphasizing that the land belongs to Yahweh, not to Israel or Edom.

Verse 11

God’s judgment against Edom is an act of self-revelation. By judging Edom’s hatred and envy, God makes himself known to Israel and the surrounding nations as the sovereign Lord of history.

Verse 12

Edom’s words against the 'mountains of Israel' (the land) are interpreted as blasphemy against the Lord himself. Their arrogance was not merely political but theological, challenging God’s control over his own inheritance.

Verse 15

'Idumea' is the Greek/later name for the territory of Edom. This verse confirms the scope of the judgment: the entire region will suffer the same fate they wished upon Israel, emphasizing divine justice.

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