Ezekiel 25:17

KJV

And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will execute {H6213} great {H1419} vengeance {H5360} upon them with furious {H2534} rebukes {H8433}; and they shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}, when I shall lay {H5414} my vengeance {H5360} upon them.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will execute great vengeance on them with furious punishments; and they will know that I am ADONAI when I lay my vengeance on them.'"

Berean Standard Bible

I will execute great vengeance against them with furious reproof. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I lay My vengeance upon them.’”

American Standard Version

And I will execute great vengeance upon them with wrathful rebukes; and they shall know that I am Jehovah, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 25:17 pronounces a severe divine judgment against the Philistines, declaring that God Himself will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes. This climactic statement in the prophecies against the nations serves not merely as a punitive act but as a revelatory one, ensuring that through this decisive intervention, the Philistines, along with all observers, will unequivocally recognize the Lord's supreme authority and identity as the one true God who justly repays those who act with malicious intent against His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 25:17 concludes a series of oracles against the surrounding nations, specifically targeting the Philistines in verses 15-17. This chapter is part of a larger section of prophecies (Ezekiel 25-32) where God declares judgment against Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt. These nations had either rejoiced over Judah's downfall, actively participated in their destruction, or harbored long-standing animosity. The preceding verses in this chapter detail the specific reasons for judgment against each nation, culminating in the Philistines' condemnation for their "perpetual hatred" and "vengeful spirit" ([Ezekiel 25:15](/ezekiel/25-15 "Ezekiel 25:15 - Philistia's Malice")). The severity of the language in verse 17, particularly the emphasis on God's direct involvement in vengeance, underscores the gravity of their sin and the certainty of their punishment. This entire section serves as a theological bridge, demonstrating God's sovereignty over all nations before the focus shifts back to Jerusalem's restoration in [Ezekiel 33](/ezekiel/33 "Ezekiel 33 - The Watchman's Role and Restoration").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines were ancient, long-standing enemies of Israel, originating from the Aegean Sea region and settling in the coastal plains of Canaan. Their history with Israel was marked by frequent conflicts, as documented from the time of the Judges through the monarchy (e.g., [Judges 13-16](/judges/13 "Judges 13-16 - Samson and the Philistines"), [1 Samuel 17](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath")). By Ezekiel's time (6th century BCE), Judah had suffered devastating defeats at the hands of Babylon, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BCE. The Philistines, rather than showing compassion, exploited Judah's vulnerability, likely encroaching on their territory and gloating over their suffering. Their "perpetual hatred" (or "ancient enmity" in some translations) reflects centuries of animosity and a deep-seated desire for Israel's demise, making their actions particularly egregious in God's sight. This context highlights that God's judgment is not arbitrary but a righteous response to sustained malice and active participation in the suffering of His covenant people.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout the book of Ezekiel. First, it emphasizes **Divine Justice and Retribution**, asserting God's commitment to righting wrongs and punishing those who maliciously oppose His purposes and people. The "great vengeance" is a righteous act, not an arbitrary one, demonstrating God's unwavering moral character. Second, the recurring phrase "they shall know that I am the LORD" is a central **Revelation of God's Sovereignty and Identity**. This motif, found over 70 times in Ezekiel, signifies that God's actions, especially His judgments, are ultimately designed to reveal His unique power, authority, and covenant faithfulness to both Israel and the nations ([Ezekiel 6:7](/ezekiel/6-7 "Ezekiel 6:7 - Knowing the Lord through Judgment"), [Ezekiel 36:23](/ezekiel/36-23 "Ezekiel 36:23 - God's Name Vindicated")). Through these judgments, the nations are compelled to acknowledge the Lord's supremacy. Finally, the passage underscores the **Consequences of Malice and Hatred**, serving as a stark warning that actions born of deep-seated animosity and vengeful spirits against God's chosen will inevitably incur divine wrath ([Ezekiel 25:15](/ezekiel/25-15 "Ezekiel 25:15 - Philistia's Malice")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Vengeance (Hebrew, _nᵉqâmâh'_):** From H5360, this term refers to avengement or retribution, whether the act or the passion. In the context of God, it is not vindictive or uncontrolled rage, but a righteous and just response to severe wrongdoing, particularly when His covenant people are harmed. It signifies God's commitment to upholding justice and restoring equilibrium when His moral order is violated.
* **Furious (Hebrew, _chêmâh'_):** From H2534, this word denotes heat, figuratively anger, or poison. When paired with "rebukes" (tôwkêchâh), it intensifies the nature of God's chastisement, indicating a strong, indignant, and passionate expression of divine wrath against persistent evil and malicious intent. It highlights the depth of God's righteous displeasure.
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** From H3045, this primitive root signifies to know, properly to ascertain by seeing, but used in a vast variety of senses including recognition, understanding, and experiential knowledge. In the phrase "they shall know that I am the LORD," it implies not just intellectual assent but a forced, undeniable recognition of God's power, authority, and identity through His decisive actions. It is an experiential knowing that comes through witnessing His sovereign hand in history.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes":** This opening clause emphasizes God's direct, active, and intense involvement in the judgment. The phrase "execute great vengeance" (combining H6213 'âsâh "to do/make" and H5360 nᵉqâmâh "vengeance") indicates a decisive and comprehensive act of retribution. The addition of "with furious rebukes" (H2534 chêmâh "furious" and H8433 tôwkêchâh "rebukes/chastisement") intensifies the divine response, portraying it as a severe, indignant, and authoritative chastisement. This is God's just and passionate response to the Philistines' "perpetual hatred" and malicious actions against Judah.
* **"and they shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them":** This second clause reveals the ultimate purpose behind God's judgment. The phrase "they shall know that I am the LORD" (H3045 yâdaʻ "know" and H3068 Yᵉhôvâh "LORD") is a recurring theological motif in Ezekiel, signifying that God's acts of judgment are revelatory. The Philistines, through experiencing God's decisive retribution, will be forced to acknowledge His unique, sovereign identity and power. The timing is explicit: this experiential knowledge will come precisely "when I shall lay my vengeance upon them," underscoring that the judgment itself is the means by which God's identity is unequivocally revealed to the nations.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 25:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the depiction of God executing "great vengeance" and delivering "furious rebukes," attributing human-like actions and emotions (vengeance, fury) to God to make His righteous indignation comprehensible. This is not to suggest human imperfection but to convey the intensity and personal nature of His justice. **Repetition** of the word "vengeance" ("great vengeance" and "lay my vengeance") serves to emphasize the certainty, totality, and divine origin of the retribution. This reiteration underscores that the judgment is not accidental but a deliberate, measured act of divine justice. Furthermore, the verse functions as a powerful **Theological Statement**, particularly in the phrase "they shall know that I am the LORD." This is a declarative assertion of God's ultimate sovereignty and the revelatory purpose behind His judgments, transforming punitive action into a profound demonstration of His unique identity and power to all who witness it.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 25:17 profoundly articulates God's unwavering commitment to justice and His ultimate sovereignty over all nations. It reveals that divine judgment is not merely punitive but possesses a revelatory purpose, designed to make God's identity and authority known. The "great vengeance" is a manifestation of His holiness, demonstrating that He will not tolerate sustained malice and active opposition to His people and purposes. This passage assures believers that God sees and will address wrongs, even when justice seems delayed, and serves as a powerful reminder that all nations are accountable to the Creator. It also distinguishes divine vengeance from human vindictiveness, portraying God's actions as perfectly righteous and just, aimed at restoring cosmic order and revealing His glory.

* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance Belongs to God")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Do Not Avenge Yourselves")
* [Psalm 9:16](/psalms/9-16 "Psalm 9:16 - The Lord Is Known by His Justice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 25:17 challenges us to consider the nature of divine justice and our own responses to injustice. While God's vengeance is a terrifying prospect for those who oppose Him, for His people, it offers profound comfort and assurance. It reminds us that God is not indifferent to the suffering of the innocent or the malice of the wicked. In a world often marked by unpunished evil and cries for justice, this verse affirms that God is the ultimate arbiter, and His perfect justice will prevail. It calls us to trust in His timing and methods, rather than seeking personal retribution, remembering that "vengeance is mine, I will repay" ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Do Not Avenge Yourselves")). Furthermore, the revelatory aspect—"they shall know that I am the LORD"—invites us to consider how God's actions in our lives, whether through discipline or deliverance, are ultimately designed to deepen our own knowledge and worship of Him, and to bear witness to His truth in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's righteous vengeance in this verse shape your view of His character?**
* **In what ways does the phrase "they shall know that I am the LORD" apply to God's dealings with individuals and nations today?**
* **How can we, as believers, balance the call to love our enemies with the biblical truth of God's coming judgment on unrepentant evil?**
* **What comfort or challenge does this verse offer you regarding injustices you observe or experience in the world?**

### FAQ

**Does God's "vengeance" imply He is vindictive like humans?**

Answer: No, God's "vengeance" (Hebrew: *nᵉqâmâh*) is fundamentally different from human vindictiveness. While human vengeance is often driven by personal malice, uncontrolled emotion, or a desire for disproportionate retaliation, God's vengeance is an expression of His perfect righteousness, holiness, and justice. It is a measured, just, and necessary response to persistent evil, rebellion, and malicious actions against His moral order and His covenant people. It aims to uphold His righteous character, restore justice, and ultimately reveal His sovereignty, as seen in the phrase "they shall know that I am the LORD" ([Ezekiel 25:17](/ezekiel/25-17 "Ezekiel 25:17 - God's Vengeance and Revelation")). It is a holy act of retribution, not an emotional outburst.

**What does it mean for "them to know that I am the LORD"?**

Answer: This recurring phrase in Ezekiel signifies a forced, undeniable, and experiential recognition of God's unique identity, power, and authority. It's not merely intellectual knowledge but a profound, undeniable awareness brought about through God's decisive actions, particularly His judgments. When God "lays His vengeance" upon the Philistines, their destruction will be so clear and undeniable that they, and all who witness it, will be forced to acknowledge that the God of Israel is the one true, sovereign God over all nations and history. This revelation serves to glorify God and validate His word, demonstrating that He is faithful to His promises, both of blessing and judgment ([Ezekiel 6:7](/ezekiel/6-7 "Ezekiel 6:7 - Knowing the Lord through Judgment")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 25:17, with its declaration of divine vengeance and the ultimate purpose that "they shall know that I am the LORD," finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While this Old Testament passage speaks of God's righteous judgment against nations, the New Testament reveals that all judgment has been committed to the Son ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Son as Judge")). Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), first came not to condemn but to save ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Jesus Came to Save")). However, His return will be marked by righteous judgment, where He will execute divine justice upon all who have rejected Him and persistently opposed God's kingdom. The "furious rebukes" and "great vengeance" foreshadow the ultimate wrath of God poured out on unrepentant sin, which is fully realized in the eschatological judgments described in the book of Revelation, where Christ is depicted as the Rider on the white horse, executing righteous judgment and waging war ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")). Ultimately, it is through Christ that humanity truly "knows that I am the LORD," for He is the perfect revelation of the Father ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Jesus, the Revelation of the Father")). Every knee will one day bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")), fulfilling the ultimate purpose of God's self-revelation through both salvation and judgment.

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

Ezekiel 25:14

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.

Ezekiel 25:11

And I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Psalms 9:16

The LORD is known [by] the judgment [which] he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

Ezekiel 5:15

So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the nations that [are] round about thee, when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I the LORD have spoken [it].

Ezekiel 25:5

And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couchingplace for flocks: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Ezekiel 6:7

And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.