Ezekiel 35:3

KJV

And say unto it, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O mount Seir, I [am] against thee, and I will stretch out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate.

KJV (with Strong's)

And say {H559} unto it, Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Behold, O mount {H2022} Seir {H8165}, I am against thee, and I will stretch out {H5186} mine hand {H3027} against thee, and I will make {H5414} thee most {H4923} desolate {H8077}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Mount Seir. I will stretch out My hand against you and make you a desolate waste.

American Standard Version

and say unto it, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against thee, O mount Seir, and I will stretch out my hand against thee, and I will make thee a desolation and an astonishment.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 35:3 delivers a powerful and direct prophetic declaration from the Lord GOD against Mount Seir, which symbolizes the nation of Edom. This verse unequivocally states God's direct opposition to Edom, promising to stretch out His hand in judgment and bring about an unparalleled, utter desolation upon them. It is a stark pronouncement of divine retribution, emphasizing God's sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to justice in response to Edom's long-standing animosity and specific acts of aggression against Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This oracle against Mount Seir (Ezekiel 35) is strategically placed within Ezekiel's larger prophetic work. It follows a series of judgments against various foreign nations (Ezekiel 25-32), which serve to demonstrate God's universal sovereignty and His meticulous justice over all earthly powers. Critically, the judgment on Edom immediately precedes the extensive prophecies of Israel's restoration and renewal (Ezekiel 36-48). This juxtaposition highlights a profound theological contrast: while nations hostile to God's people face utter destruction, Israel, despite its failures, is promised a future of divine grace and restoration. The severity of the judgment on Edom underscores the seriousness of their specific transgressions, setting the stage for God's redemptive plan for His covenant people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Ezekiel 35 was delivered during the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BC), a period of immense national trauma and suffering for Judah, with Jerusalem and its Temple lying in ruins. Edom, historically descended from Esau, Jacob's brother, had a long and bitter history of enmity with Israel. Instead of offering compassion or aid during Judah's collapse, Edom actively gloated over their misfortune, participated in the plundering of Jerusalem, and even blocked escape routes for the fleeing Judeans, turning them over to the Babylonians. These actions are vividly recounted in passages like [Obadiah 1:10-14](/obadiah/1-10-14 "Obadiah 1:10-14 - Edom's Violence Against Jacob"). Mount Seir itself was the rugged, mountainous heartland of Edom, symbolizing its strength, pride, and perceived impregnability. The cultural context reveals that such actions against a kin nation, especially in their time of distress, were considered particularly heinous and a direct affront to divine justice.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 35:3 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. It unequivocally asserts **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, demonstrating that the Lord GOD holds ultimate authority over all nations and will meticulously execute judgment based on their actions, particularly their treatment of His covenant people. This verse also highlights the **Consequences of National Sin and Enmity**, revealing that persistent malice, pride, and active opposition to God's purposes lead to inevitable and severe divine retribution. Furthermore, it underscores **God's Vindication of His People**, as He rises to defend Israel even in their weakened and exiled state, showing that He sees and responds to the injustices committed against them. Finally, the theme of **Utter Desolation** for Edom stands in stark contrast to the promised future restoration for Israel, emphasizing God's distinct covenant relationship and His ultimate plan for His chosen nation, as detailed in subsequent chapters like [Ezekiel 36](/ezekiel/36 "Ezekiel 36 - Israel's Restoration").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord GOD (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih'_):** This powerful divine title combines `H136 (ʼĂdônây)`, an emphatic form of "Lord" signifying absolute sovereignty and mastership, with `H3069 (Yᵉhôvih)`, a variation of YHWH, the covenant name of God, underscoring His self-existence, faithfulness, and personal relationship. Together, they signify the supreme, covenant-keeping God who possesses both ultimate authority and unwavering faithfulness to execute His decrees with certainty and power.
* **stretch out (Hebrew, _nâṭâh'_):** This verb (`H5186`), meaning "to stretch or spread out," when combined with "hand" (`H3027`, _yâd_), forms a common biblical idiom: "to stretch out the hand." This phrase signifies active, forceful divine intervention, often for judgment or punishment. It implies a direct, unhindered exercise of God's power and will against the target, indicating a personal and decisive act of God against Mount Seir.
* **most desolate (Hebrew, _mᵉshammâh shᵉmâmâh'_):** The phrase "most desolate" in Hebrew uses a repetition of related roots (`H4923` and `H8077`), creating a superlative emphasis. It literally means "desolation, desolation" or "utter desolation." This intensive construction conveys the extreme, comprehensive, and irreversible nature of the coming destruction upon Mount Seir, leaving nothing but waste and astonishment. It highlights the finality and totality of the judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And say unto it, Thus saith the Lord GOD;":** This opening clause establishes the divine origin and absolute authority of the message. The prophet Ezekiel is merely the mouthpiece for a direct, unchallengeable decree from the sovereign, covenant-keeping God. It signals a formal and binding pronouncement, emphasizing that the following words are not human opinion but divine truth.
* **"Behold, O mount Seir, I [am] against thee, and I will stretch out mine hand against thee,":** This is the core declaration of divine opposition. "Mount Seir" is directly addressed as the symbolic representation of the entire nation of Edom, highlighting the personal nature of God's judgment against their collective identity. The declaration "I am against thee" is a personal, decisive statement of war from God Himself. This is immediately followed by the powerful idiom "I will stretch out mine hand against thee," signifying active, forceful, and direct divine intervention for judgment, emphasizing God's personal engagement in their downfall.
* **"and I will make thee most desolate.":** This final clause pronounces the specific and severe outcome of God's opposition. The use of the intensified Hebrew phrase for "most desolate" (a double emphasis on desolation) underscores the extreme, comprehensive, and irreversible nature of the destruction that will befall Edom, leaving it utterly wasted, uninhabited, and a cause for astonishment to onlookers.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 35:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the gravity of God's message. **Personification** is evident in the direct address to "Mount Seir," treating a geographical location as if it were a living entity capable of hearing and receiving a divine decree, thereby symbolizing the entire nation of Edom. The phrase "I will stretch out mine hand against thee" is a clear example of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human physical action (stretching out a hand) to God, which serves to make His active intervention and power more relatable and impactful to a human audience. Furthermore, the KJV's "most desolate" translates a Hebrew construction that uses a repetition of the root word for desolation, creating an emphatic **Intensification** or **Hyperbole** to underscore the absolute and utter nature of the coming destruction. Finally, the introductory formula "Thus saith the Lord GOD" marks this passage as a formal **Prophetic Oracle** or **Divine Decree**, establishing its unquestionable authority and certainty as a direct word from God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 35:3 stands as a profound testament to God's unwavering justice and His ultimate sovereignty over all nations. It reveals that God is not a passive observer of human affairs but an active participant who holds nations accountable for their actions, particularly their malice and cruelty towards His people. The severe judgment pronounced upon Edom underscores the biblical principle that animosity, pride, and rejoicing in the suffering of others are not merely human failings but grievous offenses against the divine order, incurring divine wrath. This passage also powerfully affirms God's covenant faithfulness to Israel, demonstrating His protective care even when His people are in a state of weakness and exile. He sees their affliction and responds to those who would exploit or gloat over their downfall, ensuring that justice will ultimately prevail.

* [Obadiah 1:10](/obadiah/1-10 "Obadiah 1:10 - Edom's Violence Against Jacob")
* [Psalm 137:7](/psalms/137-7 "Psalm 137:7 - Remember Edom, O Lord")
* [Isaiah 34:5-6](/isaiah/34-5-6 "Isaiah 34:5-6 - The Lord's Sword Against Edom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 35:3, while a specific judgment against an ancient nation, offers timeless principles for reflection and application in our lives today. It serves as a potent reminder that accountability is universal: whether individuals, communities, or nations, none are exempt from God's scrutiny and ultimate judgment for their actions, especially those characterized by malice, pride, or cruelty towards others. This passage should instill both a healthy fear of God's justice and a profound comfort in His protective care for the oppressed. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for any lingering animosity, schadenfreude, or indifference towards the suffering of others, particularly those who may be vulnerable or marginalized. Furthermore, it reinforces the absolute reliability of God's word; what He declares, He will bring to pass, whether in judgment or in promise. We are called to align our lives with His righteous standards, trusting in His ultimate control over history and His commitment to establishing justice on the earth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, harbor animosity or indifference towards others, similar to Edom's attitude towards Israel?**
* **How does God's fierce opposition to Edom's malicious joy challenge my own reactions to the struggles or failures of others?**
* **What comfort can I draw from God's declaration, "I am against thee," knowing that He stands against injustice and defends the vulnerable?**
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment against evil encourage me to trust in His ultimate plan for justice and restoration in the world?**

### FAQ

**Who was Mount Seir, and why was God's judgment so severe against them?**

Answer: Mount Seir was the mountainous region that served as the heartland and symbolic representation of the nation of Edom. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob's twin brother, making them distant relatives of the Israelites. God's judgment against them was severe primarily due to their long-standing and deep-seated animosity towards Israel, which culminated in particularly heinous acts during Jerusalem's fall to Babylon. Instead of showing compassion or aid to their kin, the Edomites gloated over Judah's destruction, participated in the looting of Jerusalem, and even cut off escape routes for the fleeing Judeans, handing them over to the Babylonians. This behavior, detailed in passages like [Obadiah 1:10-14](/obadiah/1-10-14 "Obadiah 1:10-14 - Edom's Violence Against Jacob") and [Psalm 137:7](/psalms/137-7 "Psalm 137:7 - Remember Edom"), was a direct affront to God's covenant people and His divine justice, thus incurring His fierce wrath and a promise of utter desolation.

**Does this prophecy imply that God shows favoritism to Israel over other nations?**

Answer: This prophecy does not imply arbitrary favoritism but rather highlights God's unique covenant relationship with Israel and His commitment to justice. While God is sovereign over all nations and judges them according to His righteous standards (as seen in other oracles against foreign nations in Ezekiel 25-32), Israel held a distinct place as His chosen people through whom His redemptive plan would unfold. Edom's sin was not merely against Israel as a nation, but against God's purposes for His people. God's defense of Israel against Edom's malice demonstrates His faithfulness to His covenant promises and His vindication of those who are oppressed. It underscores that God cares deeply about how His people are treated and will hold accountable those who act with cruelty and hatred, especially towards His own. This principle extends to all who are oppressed or unjustly treated, as God is ultimately the judge of all the earth (cf. [Genesis 18:25](/genesis/18-25 "Genesis 18:25 - Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 35:3, with its stark declaration of divine judgment against Mount Seir, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the immediate context is God's judgment on Edom for their enmity against Israel, the underlying principle is God's unwavering opposition to all forms of evil, pride, and injustice. Christ, as the righteous Judge, embodies this divine opposition to sin. Just as God stretched out His hand against Mount Seir for its desolation, so too did He stretch out His hand against sin and its power on the cross, making a public spectacle of evil and condemning it in the flesh (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumphing over them by the cross") and [Romans 8:3](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3 - God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh")). Furthermore, the "most desolate" fate of Edom foreshadows the ultimate desolation of all who persistently oppose God and His people, a judgment that will be fully realized at Christ's second coming when He returns to establish His righteous kingdom and execute final judgment on all ungodliness (cf. [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ as Righteous Judge")). Conversely, just as God defended Israel, Christ continually intercedes for and protects His church, His new covenant people, ensuring that the gates of hell will not prevail against it (cf. [Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Church Built on the Rock")). Thus, Ezekiel 35:3 points to Christ as the one who ultimately triumphs over all evil and establishes a kingdom of perfect justice and peace, where all enemies are put under His feet (cf. [1 Corinthians 15:25](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25 - He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet")).

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

Jeremiah 6:12

And their houses shall be turned unto others, [with their] fields and wives together: for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD.

Ezekiel 6:14

So will I stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate, yea, more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblath, in all their habitations: and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Jeremiah 15:6

Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.

Ezekiel 35:7

Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that passeth out and him that returneth.

Ezekiel 25:13

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.

Nahum 2:13

Behold, I [am] against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.

Jeremiah 51:25

Behold, I [am] against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.