Ezekiel 35:4

KJV

I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will lay {H7760} thy cities {H5892} waste {H2723}, and thou shalt be desolate {H8077}, and thou shalt know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will make your cities ruins and make you an utter waste, and you will know that I am ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

I will turn your cities into ruins, and you will become a desolation. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

American Standard Version

I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate; and thou shalt know that I am Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 35:4 pronounces a severe divine judgment against Mount Seir, representing the nation of Edom, declaring that their cities will be laid waste and they will become desolate. This pronouncement serves not only as a consequence for Edom's perpetual hostility towards Israel but also as a profound revelation of God's absolute sovereignty and unchallengeable identity. Through this act of judgment, even God's adversaries are compelled to acknowledge His supreme authority and unique position as the one true Lord over all nations and history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 35 stands as a stark oracle of judgment, strategically placed between chapters of promised restoration for Israel (Ezekiel 33-34) and prophecies concerning their ultimate spiritual and physical renewal (Ezekiel 36-37). This arrangement highlights God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people while simultaneously demonstrating His righteous indignation against those who oppose them. The chapter specifically targets Mount Seir, a symbolic representation of Edom, emphasizing that God's justice extends to all nations, not just Israel, and that the enemies of His people will face divine retribution. This judgment underscores the inviolability of God's covenant promises and the certainty of His protective hand over Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The animosity between Edom (descendants of Esau) and Israel (descendants of Jacob) was deeply rooted, stemming from their patriarchal origins as rival brothers (see [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "Genesis 25:23 - Two Nations in the Womb")). Throughout their history, Edom consistently displayed hostility towards Israel, refusing passage during the Exodus (as recorded in [Numbers 20:14-21](/numbers/20-14 "Numbers 20:14-21 - Edom Refuses Passage")) and often aligning with Israel's enemies. Crucially, during the Babylonian invasion and subsequent destruction of Jerusalem and Judah, Edom not only rejoiced in Judah's calamity but actively participated in looting and hindering those who fled (as lamented in [Psalm 137:7](/psalm/137-7 "Psalm 137:7 - Remember Edom, O Lord") and condemned in [Obadiah 1:10-14](/obadiah/1-10 "Obadiah 1:10-14 - Edom's Violence Against Jacob")). Their desire to seize the desolate land of Israel, as mentioned in [Ezekiel 35:10](/ezekiel/35-10 "Ezekiel 35:10 - Edom's Desire for Israel's Land"), further fueled God's righteous wrath.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, showcasing God's active and decisive intervention in human history to execute judgment against those who defy His will and persecute His people. Secondly, it highlights the **Consequences of Enmity against God's People**, illustrating that persistent hatred and malicious actions against Israel inevitably lead to severe divine retribution and utter desolation. Finally, and most profoundly, the verse underscores the recurring Ezekielian theme of the **"Knowing" of Yahweh**. The declaration "and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD" signifies that the ultimate purpose of God's actions, whether in judgment or blessing, is to reveal His unique identity, absolute authority, and supreme power. Even those who oppose Him will be forced to acknowledge His unparalleled Lordship, as seen in other pronouncements like [Ezekiel 6:7](/ezekiel/6-7 "Ezekiel 6:7 - Knowing the Lord Through Judgment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **waste (Hebrew, _chorbâh'_):** From H2723, this term denotes a state of drought or, by implication, a profound desolation. It speaks of a decayed or ruined place, emphasizing complete destruction and utter barrenness. In the context of cities, it signifies their reduction to rubble and emptiness, a visible sign of divine judgment.
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** From H3045, this primitive root is rich in meaning, extending far beyond mere intellectual comprehension. It signifies an experiential, relational understanding, an ascertainment by direct encounter, observation, or intimate acquaintance. When God declares that Edom will "know" Him, it implies a forced, undeniable recognition of His power, authority, and unique identity, brought about through the devastating consequences of His judgment.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh. It derives from the root "to be" (H1961, _hâyâh'_) and signifies "the self-Existent" or "the Eternal One." By declaring "I am the LORD," God is asserting His absolute sovereignty, His unchanging nature, and His unique status as the one true God, distinct from all other deities. This self-attestation is the ultimate purpose of His acts in history.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will lay thy cities waste":** This clause emphasizes the direct, active, and intentional nature of God's judgment. The "I will" signifies divine resolve and omnipotence. The target, "thy cities," represents the centers of Edomite power, civilization, and security, indicating that the judgment will be comprehensive and dismantle their very societal structure. The term "waste" (as discussed above) underscores the utter destruction and desolation that will befall them.
* **"and thou shalt be desolate":** This phrase reiterates and intensifies the consequence of God's judgment. While "cities waste" refers to the physical destruction of their urban centers, "thou shalt be desolate" refers to the state of the land and the people themselves – a condition of utter emptiness, ruin, and abandonment. It implies a complete cessation of life and activity, a profound and lasting emptiness as a result of divine wrath.
* **"and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD":** This culminating declaration reveals the ultimate purpose behind the judgment. The desolation is not merely punitive but revelatory. Edom, who had persistently defied God and His people, will be forced to acknowledge the true identity and supreme authority of Yahweh. This "knowing" is an experiential and undeniable recognition of God's power and sovereignty, a forced realization that He alone is the sovereign Lord, whose word is absolute and whose justice is unfailing.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 35:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment and self-revelation. The most prominent is **Divine Fiat**, expressed through the emphatic "I will," which underscores God's absolute authority and the certainty of His pronouncements. This is not a mere prediction but a declaration of divine intent that will inevitably come to pass. **Parallelism** is evident in the pairing of "I will lay thy cities waste" and "thou shalt be desolate," where the second clause reinforces and expands upon the first, emphasizing the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the destruction. Furthermore, the verse concludes with a powerful instance of **Theophany** or **Self-Revelation**, a recurring motif in Ezekiel, where God declares His identity: "and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD." This phrase elevates the judgment from a mere act of retribution to a profound theological statement, revealing God's ultimate purpose in all His dealings with humanity – to make Himself known as the supreme and sovereign Lord.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 35:4 profoundly illustrates God's unyielding justice and His ultimate sovereignty over all nations. It underscores the truth that no nation or individual can persistently defy God's will or harm His covenant people without facing severe consequences. The desolation of Edom serves as a powerful testament to God's active involvement in human history, ensuring that righteousness ultimately prevails and that all opposition to His divine plan will be decisively overcome. Crucially, the verse reveals that even acts of judgment are part of God's broader purpose of self-revelation, compelling even His adversaries to acknowledge His unique identity and supreme authority. This "knowing" is not merely intellectual assent but an experiential recognition of His power and Lordship, demonstrating that God's glory will ultimately be displayed to all the earth.

* [Obadiah 1:15](/obadiah/1-15 "Obadiah 1:15 - The Day of the Lord Against All Nations")
* [Psalm 9:16](/psalm/9-16 "Psalm 9:16 - The Lord is Known by His Judgments")
* [Isaiah 45:6](/isaiah/45-6 "Isaiah 45:6 - That They May Know There Is None Besides Me")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 35:4, while specifically addressing ancient Edom, offers timeless principles for reflection and application in our lives today. It serves as a potent reminder that God is a God of justice, who sees and responds to malicious intent, pride, and persistent opposition to His will and His people. We are called to recognize that there are indeed consequences for unrepentant sin and that God's moral order will ultimately be upheld. Furthermore, this verse powerfully teaches us that God's ultimate aim, even through difficult or seemingly harsh circumstances, is to reveal His character, power, and absolute sovereignty. Whether through blessings or judgments, His actions are designed to lead all people to acknowledge Him as the supreme Lord. This should cultivate in us a profound sense of humility, prompting us to surrender our own pride and self-sufficiency, and to live in reverent awe of His rightful place in our lives and in the world. It encourages us to trust in His perfect justice and to align our hearts with His righteous purposes, knowing that His plan will ultimately prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's judgment against Edom, as described in this verse, reveal aspects of His character that are often overlooked in discussions of His love and mercy?**
* **What does it mean for us, in our personal lives, to truly "know that I am the LORD" experientially, beyond mere intellectual belief?**
* **In what ways might we, like Edom, harbor animosity, pride, or a desire for what is not ours, and how can we surrender these to God's transforming sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**Why was God so harsh with Edom, and what does their judgment signify for us?**

Answer: God's severe judgment against Edom was a direct response to their long-standing and deeply rooted animosity towards Israel, His covenant people. Edom's actions included refusing passage to Israel during the Exodus, consistently opposing them, and, most heinously, rejoicing in and actively participating in Judah's downfall during the Babylonian exile (as detailed in [Obadiah 1:10-14](/obadiah/1-10 "Obadiah 1:10-14 - Edom's Cruelty to Jacob")). Their desire to seize Israel's land, as mentioned in [Ezekiel 35:10](/ezekiel/35-10 "Ezekiel 35:10 - Edom's Malicious Intent"), further inflamed divine wrath. For us, this judgment signifies God's unwavering justice against unrepentant evil, His protective care for His people, and the certainty that all who defiantly oppose Him will ultimately face consequences.

**What is the deeper meaning of the phrase "thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD" in this context?**

Answer: This recurring phrase in Ezekiel (e.g., [Ezekiel 6:7](/ezekiel/6-7 "Ezekiel 6:7 - Knowing the Lord Through Judgment")) signifies far more than intellectual recognition. The Hebrew word for "know" (_yâdaʻ_) implies an experiential, relational, and often forced acknowledgment of God's absolute sovereignty and unique identity. In Edom's case, this "knowing" would come through the devastating experience of divine judgment. It means that even those who deny or oppose God will be compelled, through His mighty acts in history, to recognize His supreme power, His faithfulness to His word, and His unparalleled status as the one true God. It's a revelation of His glory that transcends belief, forcing an undeniable reality upon them.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 35:4 speaks of God's judgment on Edom, its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning are found in Christ. The declaration "and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD" points to the universal acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, which is supremely revealed in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ultimate revelation of the Father, as He Himself proclaimed, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). He is the one through whom all things were created and by whom all things hold together ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). Furthermore, Christ is the righteous Judge who will ultimately execute God's perfect justice, not only against nations that oppose His will but against all sin and evil ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Son as Judge"), [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")). The desolation spoken of in Ezekiel 35:4 foreshadows the final and complete triumph of God's kingdom, where every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")). Thus, the "knowing" of the LORD, once brought through judgment, is now offered through redemptive relationship with Christ, leading to eternal life ([John 17:3](/john/17-3 "John 17:3 - Eternal Life is Knowing God and Jesus Christ")).

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 35:9

I will make thee perpetual desolations, and thy cities shall not return: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Malachi 1:3

And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

Malachi 1:4

Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

Joel 3:19

Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence [against] the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.

Exodus 9:14

For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that [there is] none like me in all the earth.

Exodus 14:4

And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I [am] the LORD. And they did so.

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.