Ezekiel 35:7

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

Thus will I make {H5414} mount {H2022} Seir {H8165} most {H8077} desolate {H8077}, and cut off {H3772} from it him that passeth out {H5674} and him that returneth {H7725}.

Yes, I will make Mount Se'ir utterly desolate, cutting off from it anyone passing through or returning.

I will make Mount Seir a desolate waste and will cut off from it those who come and go.

Thus will I make mount Seir an astonishment and a desolation; and I will cut off from it him that passeth through and him that returneth.

Commentary

Ezekiel 35:7 delivers a stark prophecy of divine judgment against Mount Seir, the land of Edom. This verse emphasizes the completeness of the desolation God promises to bring upon this region, cutting off all movement and life, signifying utter ruin and abandonment.

Context

Chapter 35 of Ezekiel is a specific oracle against Mount Seir, representing the nation of Edom. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, held a long-standing and bitter animosity towards Israel, the descendants of Jacob. Their perpetual hatred manifested particularly during Judah's downfall, when they not only rejoiced in Jerusalem's destruction but also actively participated in plundering the land (Ezekiel 35:5). This prophecy serves as a counterbalance to the glorious promises of restoration for Israel found in the subsequent chapter (Ezekiel 36), highlighting God's justice in dealing with those who oppose His people and His purposes.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse showcases God's active role in bringing forth severe consequences for the actions of nations, particularly against those who harbor long-standing animosity and participate in the suffering of others.
  • Utter Desolation: The phrase "most desolate" and "cut off from it him that passeth out and him that returneth" vividly describes a state of complete emptiness, cessation of life, commerce, and travel. It paints a picture of a land utterly abandoned and uninhabitable.
  • God's Sovereignty: The declaration "Thus will I make" underscores God's absolute control over the destinies of nations and His unwavering commitment to execute His righteous judgments.
  • Retribution for Injustice: Edom's severe fate is presented as a direct result of their historical aggression and lack of mercy towards Israel, demonstrating God's principle of sowing and reaping on a national scale.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "desolate" here is ลกammฤh (ืฉึทืืžึธึผื”), which conveys not just emptiness but also a sense of horror, astonishment, and utter ruin. It suggests a wasteland that evokes shock in those who behold it. The phrase "cut off from it him that passeth out and him that returneth" is a powerful idiom signifying a complete cessation of all human activityโ€”no one enters, and no one leaves. This hyperbole emphasizes the absolute and permanent nature of the judgment, leaving no room for recovery or repopulation.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 35:7 serves as a sober reminder of the consequences of hatred, envy, and rejoicing in the misfortune of others. It highlights that God is a God of justice who sees and responds to the actions of nations and individuals. For believers, this passage can be a source of reassurance that God will ultimately address all injustice and that His sovereign plan will prevail, even when His people face adversity. It also calls us to consider our own attitudes towards others, particularly towards those we might view as adversaries, and to cultivate compassion rather than animosity, remembering the words of Romans 12:19 regarding vengeance.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 35:3

    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.

  • Ezekiel 29:11

    No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited forty years.

  • Judges 5:6

    ยถ In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways.

  • Judges 5:7

    [The inhabitants of] the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.

  • Ezekiel 35:9

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

  • 2 Chronicles 15:5

    And in those times [there was] no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations [were] upon all the inhabitants of the countries.

  • 2 Chronicles 15:6

    And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.
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