Ezekiel 25:14

KJV

And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will lay {H5414} my vengeance {H5360} upon Edom {H123} by the hand {H3027} of my people {H5971} Israel {H3478}: and they shall do {H6213} in Edom {H123} according to mine anger {H639} and according to my fury {H2534}; and they shall know {H3045} my vengeance {H5360}, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moreover, I will lay my vengeance on Edom through my people Isra'el; they will treat Edom in accordance with my anger and my fury; and they will know my vengeance' says Adonai ELOHIM.

Berean Standard Bible

I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’

American Standard Version

And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel; and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my wrath; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 25:14 powerfully declares God's unwavering resolve to execute righteous judgment upon Edom, a nation marked by its long-standing animosity and malicious rejoicing over Judah's calamity. This divine vengeance, stemming from God's profound anger and fury, is remarkably prophesied to be carried out "by the hand of my people Israel," serving not merely as punishment but as a revelatory act through which Edom, and by extension all nations, will be compelled to acknowledge the sovereign power and unyielding justice of the Lord GOD.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 25 marks a significant pivot in the book, initiating a series of oracles against surrounding nations (chapters 25-32) after the pronouncements against Judah and Jerusalem. This chapter specifically targets Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia – nations that either actively participated in or gloated over Jerusalem's destruction by Babylon. This shift immediately follows the somber account of Jerusalem's fall in [Ezekiel 24](/ezekiel/24 "Ezekiel 24 - The Fall of Jerusalem"), underscoring that God's sovereignty extends far beyond His covenant people, encompassing all nations and holding them accountable for their actions, particularly their treatment of Israel. These pronouncements serve to vindicate God's justice, demonstrate His ultimate control over world events, and provide a broader theological framework for understanding divine judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Edom, descended from Esau (Jacob's twin brother), shared a deeply complex and often hostile relationship with Israel throughout their history. This animosity, rooted in ancient sibling rivalry ([Genesis 27:41](/genesis/27-41 "Genesis 27:41 - Esau's Hatred for Jacob")), escalated significantly during Judah's most vulnerable period. When the Babylonian invasion led to the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, Edom not only withheld aid but actively participated in the plundering, celebrated the destruction, blocked escape routes for Jewish fugitives, and even handed them over to the Babylonians ([Obadiah 1:10-14](/obadiah/1-10-14 "Obadiah 1:10-14 - Edom's Violence Against Jacob")). This profound betrayal of a "brother" nation, coupled with Edom's pride and perceived impregnability in their rocky strongholds, drew the severe and specific condemnation of God. The prophecy reflects the cultural understanding of divine justice and retribution for such egregious acts of malice and treachery.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. A primary theme is **Divine Justice and Retribution**, asserting that God is not indifferent to the suffering of His people or the wickedness of nations. Edom's judgment highlights the universal principle that all nations are accountable to God's moral standards and that unrighteousness will ultimately face divine recompense. Another crucial theme is **God's Universal Sovereignty**, demonstrating His absolute control over all peoples and their destinies, even those who vehemently oppose Him. The recurring phrase "they shall know that I am the LORD," or variations like "they shall know my vengeance" in this verse, underscores the **Revelation of God's Character** through His acts of both judgment and restoration. Finally, the surprising declaration that God will use "my people Israel" as an instrument of divine wrath, despite their own weakness and exile, speaks to the theme of **God's Vindication of His Covenant People** and His unwavering commitment to their ultimate restoration and triumph, even when they appear powerless, as further elaborated in [Ezekiel 36](/ezekiel/36 "Ezekiel 36 - Israel's Restoration and Renewal").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Vengeance (Hebrew, _nᵉqâmâh'_):** This term (H5360) refers to avengement or righteous retribution. It is distinct from human revenge, which is often driven by personal spite. Instead, divine vengeance is a judicial act of vindication, a just recompense that restores moral order and sets things right in response to a grave wrong. In this context, it signifies God's just and appropriate response to Edom's malicious actions against Judah.
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** The word (H3027) signifies more than just a physical limb; it broadly denotes power, means, agency, or authority. When God declares He will act "by the hand of my people Israel," it implies that Israel will serve as the instrument or agent through which God's powerful judgment is executed, demonstrating His sovereign ability to use any means, even the seemingly weak, to accomplish His divine will.
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This primitive root (H3045) encompasses a rich spectrum of meanings, including to ascertain by seeing, to comprehend, to discern, or to acknowledge through experience. When God states "they shall know my vengeance," it means that through the direct experience of divine judgment, Edom will be forced into a profound, undeniable recognition of God's power, authority, and righteous character. It is a knowledge gained not merely intellectually, but experientially, leading to an undeniable acknowledgment of who God truly is.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom":** This opening clause unequivocally declares God's active, personal intention to execute His righteous judgment. The verb "lay" (H5414, _nâthan'_) conveys an imposition or assignment of this retribution directly upon the nation of Edom, highlighting the certainty, divine origin, and inevitability of their impending doom.
* **"by the hand of my people Israel":** This striking and somewhat unexpected phrase identifies the instrument of God's judgment. Despite Israel's own weakness, suffering, and exile, God declares that they will be the agents through whom His vengeance is administered to Edom. This underscores God's sovereign ability to use His chosen people, even when seemingly powerless, to fulfill His specific purposes and demonstrate His justice.
* **"and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury":** This clause emphasizes the intensity, divine origin, and precise nature of the actions taken against Edom. The "anger" (H639, _ʼaph'_) and "fury" (H2534, _chêmâh'_) are God's own, signifying a profound, righteous indignation at Edom's behavior. The agents (Israel) will act in perfect alignment with the divine disposition, ensuring that the judgment is thorough, complete, and perfectly reflects God's holy wrath.
* **"and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD."**: The concluding statement reiterates a pervasive theme throughout Ezekiel: the ultimate purpose of God's judgments is revelatory. Through the experience of this divine retribution, Edom will be compelled to acknowledge the reality, power, and righteous character of God. The emphatic declaration, "saith the Lord GOD" (H136, _ʼĂdônây'_ and H3069, _Yᵉhôvih'_), serves as a divine seal, guaranteeing the absolute fulfillment and unquestionable authority of the prophecy.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 25:14 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment. **Personification** is evident in the description of God's "anger" and "fury" as active forces that guide and define the judgment, implying a deliberate and passionate divine response. The phrase "by the hand of my people Israel" utilizes **Synecdoche**, where "hand" represents the collective agency, power, and instrumental role of the entire nation, emphasizing their unexpected function as agents of divine will. The deliberate repetition of "my vengeance" creates powerful **Emphasis**, underscoring the certainty, divine origin, and personal nature of the retribution. Furthermore, the concluding formula, "saith the Lord GOD," functions as a **Divine Oracle Formula**, a characteristic feature of prophetic literature that lends absolute authority, finality, and unquestionable truth to the pronouncement, signaling God's direct speech and sovereign decree. The entire verse, in its structure and content, serves as a classic example of a **Prophetic Judgment Oracle**, a common genre in the Old Testament delivering a formal declaration of divine condemnation against a specific entity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 25:14 profoundly illustrates God's active and just involvement in the affairs of nations, demonstrating that His righteousness and justice are not confined to His covenant people but extend to all who defy His moral order. The Lord's "vengeance" is not capricious or vindictive, but a righteous and measured response to Edom's malicious glee and active participation in Israel's suffering. This underscores the theological principle that God holds all nations accountable for their treatment of His people and their disregard for basic human compassion and justice. This passage serves as a stark reminder that God sees and responds to injustice, ultimately ensuring that His character as a righteous, sovereign, and all-knowing judge is revealed to all, even those who vehemently oppose Him.

* [Psalm 94:1](/psalm/94-1 "Psalm 94:1 - O LORD, God of Vengeance")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, I Will Repay, Says the Lord")
* [Nahum 1:2](/nahum/1-2 "Nahum 1:2 - The Lord is a Jealous and Avenging God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 25:14 offers a sobering yet profoundly hopeful message for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is actively engaged in the world, observing not only the grand sweep of history but also the intimate attitudes and actions of individuals and nations. We are called to reflect God's character, which inherently includes a deep concern for justice, righteousness, and compassion. This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts: Do we ever find ourselves secretly rejoicing in the downfall of others, even our adversaries, or harboring resentment? Do we stand by idly when injustice occurs, or do we seek to be instruments of God's righteous will, even in seemingly small ways? It encourages us to trust implicitly in God's ultimate sovereignty, knowing that He will bring about justice in His perfect time and in His own way, even when circumstances seem chaotic, unfair, or beyond our control. Our role, as God's people today, is to align ourselves with His purposes, seeking righteousness, advocating for the vulnerable, and extending compassion, rather than indulging in malice, despair, or the desire for personal revenge.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's "vengeance" as righteous justice, rather than mere personal revenge, deepen my view of His character and attributes?**
* **In what practical ways might I, or my community, be tempted to gloat over the misfortune of others, and how can I actively cultivate a heart of compassion and intercession instead?**
* **How does the idea of God using "my people Israel" (even when weak and exiled) to execute His will encourage or challenge my understanding of God's work through His church today, particularly in advocating for justice?**

### FAQ
**What does "vengeance" mean in this biblical context, and how is it different from human revenge?**

Answer: In the biblical context, especially when attributed to God, "vengeance" (Hebrew: _nᵉqâmâh'_) is fundamentally different from human revenge. It is not an act of personal spite, uncontrolled emotion, or a desire for retaliation for selfish reasons. Instead, it is a righteous, judicial act of retribution and vindication. Divine vengeance aims to re-establish justice, balance the scales of righteousness, and restore order where it has been violated by sin and evil. Unlike human revenge, which is often driven by selfish motives and can escalate cycles of violence, divine vengeance is an expression of God's holy character, His unwavering commitment to righteousness, and His ultimate sovereignty over all creation. It is a necessary act to uphold His moral law and demonstrate that evil will not go unpunished. This concept is powerfully echoed in the New Testament, where believers are explicitly told not to take vengeance themselves, but to leave it to God, for "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord" ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, I Will Repay, Says the Lord")).

**How was this prophecy fulfilled, particularly the part about "by the hand of my people Israel"?**

Answer: The historical fulfillment of Edom's judgment, as prophesied in Ezekiel 25:14, unfolded over several centuries and through various agents. While the initial destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon was not at Israel's hand, subsequent historical events show Israel (or their descendants, the Hasmoneans) playing a significant role. The Nabataeans, an Arab people, eventually displaced the Edomites from their traditional homeland in the 4th century BC, forcing them to migrate north into southern Judah, where they became known as Idumeans. Later, during the Hasmonean period (2nd-1st centuries BC), John Hyrcanus, a Jewish leader, conquered Idumea around 125 BC, forcing the Idumeans to convert to Judaism. This act, centuries after Ezekiel's prophecy, is often seen as a significant fulfillment of God using "the hand of my people Israel" to execute judgment upon Edom, leading to their eventual absorption and disappearance as a distinct people. This demonstrates God's long-term sovereign plan unfolding through history, as also documented in historical accounts such as [1 Maccabees 5](/1_maccabees/5 "1 Maccabees 5 - The Wars of Judas Maccabeus").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 25:14 speaks of God's righteous judgment upon Edom through the hand of Israel, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment points to a deeper reality of divine justice and redemptive power. Jesus Christ is the ultimate embodiment of God's righteous judgment and His merciful love. He is the one who, as the true Israel and the perfect Son, perfectly fulfills God's will and executes divine judgment. On the cross, Christ bore the full "anger and fury" of God's wrath against human sin, becoming the ultimate atoning sacrifice for humanity's rebellion ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - Christ's Atoning Sacrifice for Our Sins")). Through His death and resurrection, He disarmed the powers of darkness and established His eternal kingdom, demonstrating God's sovereign power over all nations and spiritual forces ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). The "vengeance" of God, in a redemptive sense, is ultimately against sin and evil itself, and Christ's finished work ensures that all who trust in Him are delivered from the just wrath to come ([1 Thessalonians 1:10](/1_thessalonians/1-10 "1 Thessalonians 1:10 - Jesus Delivers Us from the Wrath to Come")). Furthermore, the church, as the new Israel, is called to participate in God's ongoing work of justice and reconciliation in the world, not through physical warfare or nationalistic conquest, but through proclaiming the gospel, living out righteousness, and anticipating the final judgment where every knee will bow and every tongue confess the Lordship of Christ ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow to Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 11:14

But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.

Genesis 27:29

Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed [be] every one that curseth thee, and blessed [be] he that blesseth thee.

Isaiah 63:1

¶ Who [is] this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this [that is] glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

Isaiah 63:6

And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

Revelation 6:16

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

Revelation 6:17

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Nahum 1:2

¶ God [is] jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and [is] furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth [wrath] for his enemies.