Ezekiel 35:4

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary on Ezekiel 35:4 (KJV)

Ezekiel 35:4 declares, "I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD." This powerful verse is part of a divine pronouncement of judgment against Mount Seir, representing the nation of Edom.

Context

Ezekiel 35 stands in stark contrast to the promises of restoration for Israel found in the preceding chapters. Here, the focus shifts to God's righteous indignation against Edom, a long-standing adversary of Israel. Edom (descendants of Esau) harbored ancient animosity towards Jacob's descendants and actively rejoiced in—and even participated in—the downfall of Judah during the Babylonian exile. This chapter specifically addresses Edom's malicious intent and their desire to seize the land of Israel (Ezekiel 35:10). God's judgment is a direct response to their perpetual hatred and violence against His people, demonstrating His unwavering justice and protection over His covenant nation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse highlights God's direct and decisive action in bringing desolation upon Edom. This is not a passive event but a deliberate act of divine retribution for their historical enmity towards Israel and their arrogance.
  • Desolation as Consequence: The phrase "I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate" paints a vivid picture of complete destruction. This physical devastation serves as a visible sign of God's wrath and the inevitable consequences of opposing His divine will.
  • The Purpose of Judgment: Crucially, the judgment culminates in the declaration, "and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD." This recurring phrase in Ezekiel signifies that the purpose of God's actions, whether in judgment or blessing, is to reveal His ultimate authority, sovereignty, and unique identity. Even the enemies of God will be forced to acknowledge His supreme power and His role as the one true God. This is not merely intellectual understanding but an experiential recognition of His might. For further understanding of God's self-revelation through judgment, consider Ezekiel 6:7.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "thou shalt know that I am the LORD" is central to Ezekiel's prophecy. The Hebrew word for "know" is yada, which implies more than just intellectual comprehension. It denotes an experiential, relational understanding, a recognition of authority and power that comes through direct encounter. The declaration "I am the LORD" (Hebrew: ani YHWH) is God's foundational self-revelation, emphasizing His covenant faithfulness, eternal existence, and absolute sovereignty. This self-attestation underscores the ultimate purpose of all His acts in history, including judgment.

Practical Application

While this verse specifically addresses ancient Edom, its principles resonate today. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's justice and His ultimate sovereignty over all nations and individuals. It teaches us that:

  • God is Just: He does not overlook malicious intent or actions. There are consequences for persistent opposition to His will and His people.
  • God Reveals Himself: Even through difficult circumstances, God's ultimate aim is to reveal His character and power. His actions, whether in judgment or mercy, are designed to lead people to acknowledge Him as the supreme Lord.
  • Humility is Essential: The pride and arrogance of Edom led to their downfall. This verse encourages humility and a recognition of God's rightful place in our lives and in the world.

Ultimately, Ezekiel 35:4 reinforces the truth that God is active in the affairs of humanity, orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes and ensure that all, whether friend or foe, will eventually "know that I am the LORD." This concept of God's ultimate triumph is also seen in prophecies of His final victory, such as in Revelation 19:6.

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 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.

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