Ezekiel 35:13

KJV

Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against me, and have multiplied your words against me: I have heard [them].

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus with your mouth {H6310} ye have boasted {H1431} against me, and have multiplied {H6280} your words {H1697} against me: I have heard {H8085} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moreover, you have boasted against me with your mouths, speaking more and more against me - I have heard it.'

Berean Standard Bible

You boasted against Me with your mouth and multiplied your words against Me. I heard it Myself!

American Standard Version

And ye have magnified yourselves against me with your mouth, and have multiplied your words against me: I have heard it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 35:13 delivers a potent divine indictment against Mount Seir (Edom), condemning its brazen arrogance and persistent verbal defiance against the Lord. The verse underscores God's perfect omniscience and unwavering sovereignty, declaring that He has fully heard and taken note of every boastful and multiplied word uttered in contempt, signaling inevitable accountability for such audacious opposition to His divine will and His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a sustained prophetic oracle of judgment against Mount Seir, representing the nation of Edom, found in [Ezekiel 35](/ezekiel/35 "Ezekiel 35 - Prophecy Against Mount Seir"). This chapter stands in stark contrast to the preceding chapters, which offer hope and restoration for Israel (e.g., [Ezekiel 34](/ezekiel/34 "Ezekiel 34 - The Good Shepherd")). Following the pronouncements of Israel's return and renewal, God turns His attention to those who rejoiced in Israel's downfall and sought to profit from it. Edom's specific sin, highlighted throughout this chapter, was not merely passive animosity but active gloating over the desolation of Judah and Jerusalem, viewing it as an opportunity to seize the land, as explicitly stated in [Ezekiel 35:10](/ezekiel/35-10 "Ezekiel 35:10 - Edom's Intent to Possess Israel's Land"). The "boasting" and "multiplied words" of verse 13 are the verbal expressions of this deep-seated malice and contempt, making it a direct affront to God's covenant faithfulness and His sovereign control over history, even in the midst of His people's discipline.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Edom, descended from Esau, shared a long and often contentious history with Israel, the descendants of Jacob. Their relationship was marked by hostility, particularly during times of Israel's vulnerability. Geographically, Edom occupied the mountainous region south-east of the Dead Sea, known as Mount Seir, a rugged and seemingly impregnable territory. Culturally, their animosity was rooted in ancient sibling rivalry that escalated into national enmity. During the Babylonian siege and subsequent destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, Edom not only failed to assist their kin but actively participated in the plundering and celebrated Judah's demise (cf. [Obadiah 1:10-14](/obadiah/1-10 "Obadiah 1:10-14 - Edom's Cruelty to Judah")). Their boasting and verbal assaults were not merely private thoughts but likely public declarations of triumph and contempt, reflecting a common ancient Near Eastern practice of verbal taunts and curses against defeated enemies, often seen as a way to assert dominance and mock the enemy's god.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 35:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully asserts **Divine Omniscience and Sovereignty**. The declaration "I have heard [them]" underscores God's absolute awareness of all human speech and intentions, even those uttered in secret or with malicious intent, affirming that no defiance goes unnoticed by the sovereign Lord. Secondly, it highlights the **Accountability of Words**. The verse emphasizes that human speech is not inconsequential; boasting and multiplying words against God carry severe consequences, revealing that words are a profound reflection of the heart's disposition and are subject to divine judgment (cf. [Matthew 12:36-37](/matthew/12-36 "Matthew 12:36-37 - Accountability for Every Careless Word")). Thirdly, it serves as a strong indictment against **Pride and Arrogance**. Edom's boasting was rooted in a deep-seated contempt for God's chosen people and an elevation of themselves against divine purposes, a recurring theme of judgment in Scripture (e.g., [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")). Finally, the verse foreshadows **Retributive Justice**, where God's "hearing" of their words is a prelude to a just recompense, mirroring their malicious desires back upon them, a principle articulated throughout Ezekiel's prophecies (e.g., [Ezekiel 7:27](/ezekiel/7-27 "Ezekiel 7:27 - They Shall Have Their Own Ways")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Boasted (Hebrew, _gâdal'_):** From the primitive root H1431, "gâdal" primarily means "to be (causatively make) large." In this context, it takes on a negative connotation, implying to "magnify oneself," "exalt oneself," or "behave proudly." It conveys a sense of extreme arrogance and defiance, as if Edom considered itself powerful enough to challenge God directly or elevate itself above His divine plan for Israel. This is not merely pride but an active, verbal expression of self-exaltation against the divine.
* **Words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, "dâbâr" is a comprehensive term for "a word," but by implication, it can also refer to a "matter," "thing," "affair," or "speech." Here, in conjunction with "multiplied," it signifies the content of Edom's persistent and numerous utterances. These were not just isolated remarks but a continuous stream of hostile, contemptuous, and arrogant speech directed against God and His people, revealing the deep-seated malice of their heart.
* **Heard (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, "shâmaʻ" means "to hear intelligently," often with the implication of attention, understanding, and even obedience. In this divine declaration, "I have heard [them]," the verb emphasizes God's perfect and complete awareness. It's not a passive hearing but an active, attentive reception of their words, signifying that their defiance did not go unnoticed and would certainly be met with a divine response, indicating judgment rather than mere observation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against me,"**: This clause immediately identifies the instrument ("mouth") and the action ("boasted") of Edom's sin. The phrase "against me" makes it clear that their boasting was not merely against Israel but a direct affront to God's sovereignty and His divine plan. It implies a public and audacious declaration of self-exaltation and contempt for the Lord.
* **"and have multiplied your words against me:"**: This expands on the previous clause, indicating the *quantity* and *persistence* of Edom's defiance. "Multiplied your words" suggests a continuous, abundant stream of hostile, arrogant, or contemptuous speech. It highlights a deliberate and sustained campaign of verbal opposition, not just an isolated incident, further emphasizing the depth of their rebellion against God.
* **"I have heard [them]."**: This short, emphatic declaration serves as the divine response and climax of the verse. The "I" is emphatic in the Hebrew, underscoring God's personal and direct attention to their words. It powerfully asserts God's omniscience and omnipotence, signifying that their actions and words did not go unnoticed and would not go unpunished. This hearing is a prelude to judgment, confirming that their defiance has been registered in the divine court.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 35:13 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment. The most prominent is **Direct Address**, where God speaks directly to Mount Seir/Edom ("your mouth," "ye have boasted," "your words," "against me"), creating an immediate and personal confrontation that underscores the gravity of their offense. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in God declaring, "I have heard [them]," attributing a human sensory perception (hearing) to God to emphasize His full awareness and active attention to Edom's words, rather than suggesting a literal physical ear. The phrase "multiplied your words" can be seen as **Hyperbole**, suggesting an overwhelming torrent of defiant speech, emphasizing the sheer volume and persistence of their verbal attacks. Furthermore, the two parallel clauses, "ye have boasted against me" and "have multiplied your words against me," demonstrate a form of **Parallelism**, reinforcing the continuous and multifaceted nature of Edom's verbal rebellion against God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 35:13 serves as a profound theological statement regarding divine justice, human accountability, and the nature of God's sovereignty. It reveals that God is not a distant, unaware deity but one intimately involved in the affairs of nations, meticulously observing and recording every word and intention. The boasting of Edom against God and His people is a direct challenge to His authority, a sin rooted in pride and contempt for divine purposes. This verse underscores the biblical principle that words are not mere sounds but carry moral weight, reflecting the heart's true condition and incurring divine judgment. God's declaration "I have heard [them]" is a solemn reminder that no act of defiance, however seemingly insignificant, escapes His notice, ensuring that justice will ultimately prevail.
* [Psalm 94:7-9](/psalm/94-7 "Psalm 94:7-9 - The Lord Hears and Judges")
* [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Power of Life and Death in the Tongue")
* [Matthew 12:36-37](/matthew/12-36 "Matthew 12:36-37 - Accountability for Every Careless Word")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 35:13 offers a timeless and sobering reflection on the power and accountability of our words, challenging believers to live with intentionality and humility before God. Just as Edom's defiant words were heard and recorded by God, so too are all our utterances. This truth should cultivate a deep reverence for God and a careful stewardship of our speech. It calls us to examine our hearts for any trace of pride, arrogance, or gloating over the misfortunes of others, especially those who are God's people. Instead of boasting against God or His purposes, we are called to humble ourselves under His mighty hand, trusting in His sovereign plan even when circumstances are difficult. God's omniscience, while a warning to the defiant, is a profound comfort to the faithful, assuring us that our prayers, praises, and quiet acts of obedience are also heard and remembered by Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, subtly or overtly, "boast against" God or His purposes in my life or in the world?**
* **How does the knowledge that God hears every word I speak influence my daily conversations and internal thoughts?**
* **Am I prone to gloating or finding satisfaction in the struggles of others, even those who might be seen as adversaries?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart and mouth that consistently speak words of humility, praise, and encouragement, rather than defiance or contempt?**

### FAQ
**What was Edom's specific sin that led to this strong rebuke?**

Answer: Edom's primary sin, as highlighted in Ezekiel 35 and other prophetic books like Obadiah, was their deep-seated animosity towards Israel, rooted in the ancient rivalry between Jacob and Esau. This animosity manifested in active gloating and rejoicing over Judah's desolation, particularly during the Babylonian exile. They not only failed to help their kin but also saw Israel's misfortune as an opportunity to seize their land, as stated in [Ezekiel 35:10](/ezekiel/35-10 "Ezekiel 35:10 - Edom's Intent to Possess Israel's Land"). Their "boasting against me" and "multiplying your words against me" (Ezekiel 35:13) refers to their verbal defiance and contempt for God's covenant with Israel, essentially mocking God's ability to protect His people and claiming His land for themselves.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 35:13, with its stern declaration of God hearing the defiant words of Edom, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, the very Word of God. While Edom's words were those of pride, malice, and self-exaltation against God, Jesus, the Incarnate Word, perfectly embodied humility and obedience, never speaking a word against the Father but always in perfect submission to His will ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")). The "boasting" of Edom against God contrasts sharply with Christ's self-emptying love, who, though in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humility")). Furthermore, God's declaration "I have heard [them]" foreshadows the ultimate divine judgment executed through Christ. Just as God heard Edom's defiant words and brought judgment, so too will all words and deeds be brought into account before the judgment seat of Christ ([2 Corinthians 5:10](/2_corinthians/5-10 "2 Corinthians 5:10 - The Judgment Seat of Christ")). Jesus Himself warned that people would give account for every careless word ([Matthew 12:36](/matthew/12-36 "Matthew 12:36 - Accountability for Every Careless Word")), confirming that the divine "hearing" of Ezekiel 35:13 culminates in the righteous judgment of the Son, who perfectly discerns the heart behind every utterance. Thus, the condemnation of Edom's prideful speech points forward to the absolute authority and perfect justice of Christ, through whom all things, including every word, will be judged.

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

Daniel 11:36

And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

Isaiah 36:20

Who [are they] among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?

1 Samuel 2:3

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let [not] arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD [is] a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

Jeremiah 29:23

Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and [am] a witness, saith the LORD.

Ezekiel 35:12

And thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD, [and that] I have heard all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume.

Isaiah 37:23

Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted [thy] voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? [even] against the Holy One of Israel.

Job 35:16

Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.