Ezekiel 36:5

KJV

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all [their] heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Surely in the fire {H784} of my jealousy {H7068} have I spoken {H1696} against the residue {H7611} of the heathen {H1471}, and against all Idumea {H123}, which have appointed {H5414} my land {H776} into their possession {H4181} with the joy {H8057} of all their heart {H3824}, with despiteful {H7589} minds {H5315}, to cast it out {H4054} for a prey {H957}.

Complete Jewish Bible

therefore this is what Adonai ELOHIM says: "In the heat of my jealousy I speak against the other nations and all of Edom, since, rejoicing with all their heart, they have arrogated my land to themselves as a possession and, with utter contempt, seized it as prey."'

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Surely in My burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, who took My land as their own possession with wholehearted joy and utter contempt, so that its pastureland became plunder.

American Standard Version

therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the nations, and against all Edom, that have appointed my land unto themselves for a possession with the joy of all their heart, with despite of soul, to cast it out for a prey.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 36:5 thunders forth a divine declaration of judgment from the Lord GOD against the surrounding pagan nations, particularly Idumea (Edom), for their malicious and gleeful exploitation of the land of Israel during its desolation. This verse underscores God's intense, righteous jealousy and protective zeal for His covenant land and people, asserting His unwavering commitment to vindicate His honor and restore His inheritance from those who sought to claim it with contemptuous hearts.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 36:5 is embedded within a profound prophetic discourse concerning the restoration of Israel. The preceding verses (Ezekiel 36:1-4) lament the desolation of the mountains of Israel, which have become a "prey and derision" to the surrounding nations. God directly addresses these mountains, promising their vindication and renewal. Verse 5 then pivots to explicitly name and condemn the perpetrators of this exploitation, particularly Idumea, setting the stage for God's promised restoration of Israel's land and people, which is detailed in subsequent verses like [Ezekiel 36:24](/ezekiel/36-24 "Ezekiel 36:24 - God's Promise to Gather Israel") and [Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit"). The judgment pronounced here serves as a necessary prelude to the promised blessing and re-establishment of God's covenant relationship with Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Ezekiel 36 was delivered during the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BC), following the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC. At this time, the land of Judah lay desolate, and many of its inhabitants had been deported. Surrounding nations, including the Ammonites, Moabites, Philistines, and especially the Edomites (Idumea), saw this as an opportunity to expand their territories and plunder Israel's land. Edom, descended from Esau, Jacob's brother, had a long history of animosity towards Israel, often siding with Israel's enemies and rejoicing in their misfortunes. Their actions during Israel's downfall, as described in this verse, were particularly egregious, marked by deep-seated malice and a desire to utterly dispossess Israel of its inheritance. This historical animosity is well-documented in other prophetic condemnations, such as [Obadiah 1:10-14](/obadiah/1-10 "Obadiah 1:10-14 - Edom's Violence Against Jacob") and [Psalm 137:7](/psalm/137-7 "Psalm 137:7 - Edom's Role in Jerusalem's Fall").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. First, it highlights **Divine Jealousy and Zeal**, emphasizing God's holy passion and protective ownership of His covenant land and people. This is not human envy but a righteous indignation against any affront to His honor or His promises. Second, it underscores **Judgment on Malicious Nations**, particularly Edom, for their opportunistic and contemptuous actions against a vulnerable Israel. Their "joy" and "despiteful minds" reveal a profound moral depravity that warrants divine retribution. Third, the verse reinforces **God's Sovereignty Over His Land**. The repeated emphasis on "my land" (Ezekiel 36:5, [Ezekiel 36:12](/ezekiel/36-12 "Ezekiel 36:12 - God's Land for His People")) asserts God's ultimate ownership, reminding both Israel and the nations that the land is not merely a geopolitical territory but a sacred inheritance under divine custodianship, as established in [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Idumea (Hebrew, _ʼĔdôm'_):** This refers to Edom, the nation descended from Esau, Jacob's elder twin brother. The name itself means "red," linking to Esau's birth (Genesis 25:25). In Ezekiel 36:5, Idumea is singled out among "the heathen" for its particularly malicious and long-standing hostility towards Israel, often exploiting Israel's weakness and downfall. Their inclusion here highlights a specific, deep-seated animosity that warrants direct divine condemnation.
* **jealousy (Hebrew, _qinʼâh'_):** This term describes a fervent, intense passion or zeal, often used in Scripture to characterize God's righteous commitment to His covenant, His people, and His own glory. When God declares He has spoken "in the fire of my jealousy," it signifies His unwavering loyalty and His intolerance for anything that threatens His relationship with His chosen ones, desecrates His holy name, or violates His divine decrees concerning His land. It is a holy, protective attribute, not a human flaw.
* **despiteful (Hebrew, _shᵉʼâṭ'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to push aside," this word conveys contempt, scorn, or disdain. When combined with "minds" (Hebrew, _nephesh'_ - soul/mind), it paints a picture of deep-seated malice and a deliberate, scornful intent. The nations, particularly Idumea, did not merely act opportunistically but with a profound and active disdain for Israel and, by extension, for God's sovereign claim over His land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD;"**: This opening phrase serves as a solemn, authoritative pronouncement, indicating that the following words are a direct, undeniable message from the sovereign God (Adonai YHWH). It establishes the divine origin and absolute certainty of the judgment to follow.
* **"Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea,"**: God declares His intense, fiery indignation. His "jealousy" is a righteous zeal for His honor and His land. He has "spoken" (dabar - to command, declare) judgment against the remaining pagan nations, specifically highlighting Idumea, indicating their prominent role in the malicious acts against Israel.
* **"which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds,"**: This clause details the specific transgression. The nations, led by Idumea, presumptuously "appointed" (nathan - to give, assign) God's own land as their personal "possession" (morashah - inheritance). Their actions were not merely opportunistic but driven by deep-seated malice, expressed as "joy of all their heart" (simchah, lebab - a deliberate, wholehearted pleasure in Israel's downfall) and "despiteful minds" (she'at nephesh - profound contempt and scorn).
* **"to cast it out for a prey."**: This final phrase describes the ultimate intent and outcome of their actions: to exploit and plunder the land, treating it as mere "prey" (baz) or spoils of war. This demonstrates a complete disregard for the land's sacred status as God's inheritance and for the plight of His people.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 36:5 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message of divine judgment. The phrase "in the **fire** of my jealousy" employs a powerful **Metaphor** and **Anthropomorphism**. "Fire" symbolizes the intensity, purity, and destructive power of God's righteous indignation, while "jealousy" is an attribute often associated with human emotion, here ascribed to God to convey His fervent, protective zeal for His covenant and His land. The description of the nations acting "with the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds" uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme malice and delight they took in Israel's suffering, highlighting the depth of their contempt. The land being "cast it out for a prey" is a form of **Personification**, treating the land as a vulnerable entity subjected to the predatory actions of its enemies, further underscoring the severity of the nations' transgression against God's sacred possession.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 36:5 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering justice and His sovereign ownership over all creation, particularly His chosen land and people. It reveals that God is not a passive observer of human affairs but an active participant who takes note of injustice, malice, and contempt shown towards His covenant and His inheritance. The "fire of His jealousy" is a theological concept that underscores His holiness, His fidelity to His promises, and His intolerance for anything that defiles His name or harms those whom He has called His own. This divine zeal ensures that ultimately, all acts of wickedness and exploitation against His purposes will be met with righteous judgment, paving the way for His ultimate plan of restoration and blessing for His people.

* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine, and Recompence")
* [Nahum 1:2](/nahum/1-2 "Nahum 1:2 - God is Jealous and Avenging")
* [Zechariah 1:15](/zechariah/1-15 "Zechariah 1:15 - God's Great Indignation Against Careless Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 36:5 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that God is intimately concerned with justice and the plight of the vulnerable. It assures us that no act of malice, exploitation, or contempt against God's people or His purposes goes unnoticed. Just as God defended His ancient people and land, He remains the defender of His church and His truth today. This verse calls us to trust in God's ultimate sovereignty and His promise to right all wrongs, even when injustice seems to prevail. It also challenges us to examine our own hearts, ensuring that we do not harbor "despiteful minds" or take "joy" in the suffering of others, but rather cultivate empathy, compassion, and a commitment to justice, reflecting God's own character in a broken world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's "fire of jealousy" reshape your perception of His character and His commitment to justice?**
* **In what ways might we, even subtly, exhibit a "despiteful mind" or take "joy" in the struggles of others, and how can we repent of such attitudes?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to trust God's sovereignty and His ultimate plan, even when you witness widespread injustice in the world today?**

### FAQ

**Who was Idumea, and why were they singled out for judgment?**

Answer: Idumea is the Greek name for Edom, a nation descended from Esau, the twin brother of Jacob (Israel). They were singled out for judgment because of their long-standing and particularly malicious hostility towards Israel. During Israel's time of weakness and desolation, especially after the Babylonian conquest, Edom actively participated in plundering Israel's land and rejoiced in their downfall. This was not merely opportunistic but stemmed from deep-seated animosity, as indicated by their actions being done "with the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds," seeking to claim God's land as their own "prey." Other prophets, like Obadiah, also extensively condemn Edom for their actions against their "brother Jacob" (see [Obadiah 1:10-14](/obadiah/1-10 "Obadiah 1:10-14 - Edom's Violence Against Jacob")).

**What does "the fire of my jealousy" mean when applied to God?**

Answer: When the Bible speaks of God's "jealousy," particularly "the fire of my jealousy" in [Ezekiel 36:5](/ezekiel/36-5 "Ezekiel 36:5 - God's Judgment on Idumea"), it does not imply a human flaw like envy or insecurity. Instead, it signifies God's holy, zealous passion and protective devotion to His own honor, His covenant, and His people. It is His righteous intolerance for anything that would defile His name, violate His sacred promises, or harm those He has chosen as His own. The "fire" emphasizes the intensity and purifying power of this divine attribute, indicating that His response to injustice is fervent and decisive. It assures that God will defend His own and uphold His righteous standards.

**How does God's judgment on these nations relate to His promises of restoration for Israel?**

Answer: God's judgment on the nations, as declared in [Ezekiel 36:5](/ezekiel/36-5 "Ezekiel 36:5 - God's Judgment on Idumea"), is an integral part of His larger plan for Israel's restoration. By condemning and punishing those who maliciously exploited Israel's desolation, God vindicates His own honor and demonstrates His unwavering sovereignty over His land and His people. This act of judgment clears the way for the fulfillment of His promises to gather Israel, cleanse them, give them a new heart, and restore them to their land (as seen in [Ezekiel 36:24-28](/ezekiel/36-24 "Ezekiel 36:24-28 - God's Promises of Restoration")). It signifies that God is actively working to remove all obstacles to His redemptive purposes, ensuring that His covenant faithfulness will ultimately prevail.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 36:5, with its declaration of God's fiery jealousy and judgment against nations that desecrated His land and oppressed His people, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While God's judgment on Edom was a specific historical event, it foreshadows the broader truth that all who oppose God's purposes and harm His people will face His righteous wrath. Christ, as the [Son of God](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World"), embodies the full measure of divine justice and holiness. He is the one through whom God's judgment is perfectly executed, not only against the nations but against sin itself. Just as God defended His land, Christ defends His spiritual inheritance—the Church—which is His body and the new Israel of God (see [Ephesians 1:22-23](/ephesians/1-22 "Ephesians 1:22-23 - Christ as Head of the Church") and [Galatians 6:16](/galatians/6-16 "Galatians 6:16 - The Israel of God")). Furthermore, the restoration promised to Israel in Ezekiel 36, including a new heart and spirit, is spiritually fulfilled in believers through Christ, who pours out His [Holy Spirit](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Helper") and grants new life (see [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). Ultimately, Christ will return as the [righteous Judge](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Has Committed All Judgment to the Son"), bringing final judgment upon all who have acted with "despiteful minds" against God and His people, and establishing His eternal kingdom where justice and peace reign supreme (see [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ, the Rider on the White Horse")).

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

Micah 7:8

Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD [shall be] a light unto me.

Ezekiel 36:3

Therefore prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because they have made [you] desolate, and swallowed you up on every side, that ye might be a possession unto the residue of the heathen, and ye are taken up in the lips of talkers, and [are] an infamy of the people:

Deuteronomy 4:24

For the LORD thy God [is] a consuming fire, [even] a jealous God.

Zechariah 1:15

And I am very sore displeased with the heathen [that are] at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.

Ezekiel 38:19

For in my jealousy [and] in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;

Psalms 137:7

¶ Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase [it], rase [it, even] to the foundation thereof.

Psalms 83:4

They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from [being] a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.