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.

And I will make {H5414} Rabbah {H7237} a stable {H5116} for camels {H1581}, and the Ammonites {H1121}{H5983} a couchingplace {H4769} for flocks {H6629}: and ye shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}.

I will turn Rabbah into a camel pasture and 'Amon into a sheep-yard. Then you will know that I am ADONAI."

I will make Rabbah a pasture for camels, and Ammon a resting place for sheep. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’

And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the children of Ammon a couching-place for flocks: and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.

Ezekiel 25:5 KJV is part of a series of prophecies against the nations surrounding Israel, specifically targeting the Ammonites. This verse vividly describes the utter desolation awaiting their capital city, Rabbah, and their territory, emphasizing God's sovereign judgment.

Historical and Cultural Context

The prophet Ezekiel delivered these messages during the Babylonian exile, a time of immense national humiliation for Judah. While Judah suffered, neighboring nations like the Ammonites, descendants of Lot's son Ben-Ammi (Genesis 19:38), often capitalized on Israel's weakness or openly rejoiced at their misfortune. The Ammonites, situated east of the Jordan River, had a long history of conflict with Israel, and their malicious joy over Jerusalem's destruction (as indicated in Ezekiel 25:3 and Ezekiel 25:6) incurred divine wrath. Rabbah, their capital, was a significant city, yet it is prophesied to become a desolate wasteland.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment: The verse highlights God's righteous judgment against nations that exhibit malice, pride, and hostility towards His people. The destruction of Rabbah and the Ammonite territory serves as a clear consequence of their actions.
  • God's Sovereignty: The repeated declaration, "ye shall know that I am the LORD," underscores God's ultimate control over human history and the destinies of nations. Even when Israel was in exile, God remained active and sovereign over their enemies, a theme prevalent throughout Ezekiel (e.g., Ezekiel 36:23).
  • Utter Desolation: The imagery of Rabbah becoming a "stable for camels" and the Ammonites' land a "couchingplace for flocks" signifies complete ruin and abandonment. Urban centers would revert to pastoral, uninhabited areas, a powerful symbol of their downfall.

Linguistic Insights

The name Rabbah itself means "great" or "populous," making its prophesied reduction to a mere animal stable a stark and ironic contrast. The terms "stable for camels" and "couchingplace for flocks" evoke a scene of profound desolation and a return to a primitive state, far from its former glory as a thriving capital. This imagery vividly conveys the extent of the coming destruction and the reversal of their status.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 25:5 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • It reminds us that God is just and holds all people and nations accountable for their actions, particularly for cruelty or rejoicing in the suffering of others.
  • It reinforces the truth of God's unwavering sovereignty. He remains in control, even amidst chaos and perceived defeat, and His purposes will ultimately prevail.
  • The verse serves as a warning against pride and malice. Rejoicing in the misfortune of others or seeking vengeance can lead to severe consequences from a righteous God.
  • Ultimately, God's judgments aim for His name to be known and glorified. His actions reveal His character, demonstrating His power and holiness to all who observe.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 21:20

    Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced.

  • 2 Samuel 12:26

    ¶ And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.

  • Isaiah 17:2

    The cities of Aroer [are] forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make [them] afraid.

  • Zephaniah 2:14

    And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; [their] voice shall sing in the windows; desolation [shall be] in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work.

  • Zephaniah 2:15

    This [is] the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I [am], and [there is] none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, [and] wag his hand.

  • Ezekiel 26:6

    And her daughters which [are] in the field shall be slain by the sword; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Isaiah 32:14

    Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks;

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