Ezekiel 25:15 kjv
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred;
Ezekiel 25:15 nkjv
'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Because the Philistines dealt vengefully and took vengeance with a spiteful heart, to destroy because of the old hatred,"
Ezekiel 25:15 niv
"This is what the Sovereign LORD says: 'Because the Philistines acted in vengeance and took revenge with malice in their hearts, and with ancient hostility sought to destroy Judah,
Ezekiel 25:15 esv
"Thus says the Lord GOD: Because the Philistines acted revengefully and took vengeance with malice of soul to destroy in never-ending enmity,
Ezekiel 25:15 nlt
"This is what the Sovereign LORD says: The people of Philistia have acted against Judah out of bitter revenge and long-standing contempt.
Ezekiel 25 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 25:15 | "Thus says the Lord GOD: Because the Philistines acted vengefully and took vengeance with soul-destroying spite to destroy, because of their ancient enmity..." | Retribution for ancient enmity |
| Leviticus 26:16 | "...I will repay you… a fever that consumes the eyes and wastes away the soul." | Divine punishment, consuming judgment |
| Deuteronomy 28:48 | "...serve your enemies whom the LORD sends against you. You shall serve them with your life of hunger, thirst, nakedness, and destitute of all things." | Punishment through enemies |
| Jeremiah 31:28 | "And as I have watched over them to pluck up and to break down, to overthrow, to destroy, and to bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, declares the LORD." | Divine action of destruction and building |
| Isaiah 5:12 | "The harp and the lyre, the tambourine and the pipe and wine are in your feasts, but they do not regard the work of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands." | Ignoring God's actions |
| Romans 12:19 | "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'" | Vengeance belongs to God |
| Hebrews 10:30 | "For we know him who said, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay.' And again, 'The Lord will judge his people.'" | God's judgment |
| Revelation 18:7 | "In the measure to which she glorified herself and lived wantonly, to the same measure give her torment and mourning, since she says in her heart, 'I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and I shall never see mourning.'" | Divine judgment upon boasting |
| Isaiah 14:13-14 | "You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’" | Arrogance leading to judgment |
| Ezekiel 16:43 | "Because you did not remember the days of your youth, but enraged me with all these things, behold, I will therefore recompense your deeds upon your head, declares the Lord GOD. Have you not committed lewdness in addition to all your abominations?" | Recompense for remembered deeds |
| Joel 3:4 | "What are you to me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you repaying me for something? Or is something being done to me? But if you do to me what I have done to them, I will return your deeds on your own head." | Reciprocal judgment |
| Amos 1:6 | "Thus says the LORD: 'For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they carried into exile a whole community to deliver them up to Edom.'" | Judgment on Philistine cities |
| Amos 1:8 | "And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him who wields the scepter from Ashkelon, and I will turn my hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, says the Lord GOD." | Judgment on Philistine cities |
| Jeremiah 47:1 | "The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before the Egyptians sacked Gaza." | Prophecy against Philistines |
| Zechariah 9:5-6 | "Ashkelon shall see it and fear; Gaza also, and writhe in anguish; Ekron also, for its hope will be put to shame. Yes, the king shall perish from Gaza; Ashkelon shall be uninhabited." | Judgment on Philistine cities |
| Genesis 21:32 | "Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba. Then Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army rose and returned to the land of the Philistines." | Historical interaction |
| Judges 10:6 | "The people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Sidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites, and the gods of the Philistines. And they forsook the LORD and did not serve him." | Philistines as adversaries |
| 1 Samuel 17:10 | "and the Philistine said, 'I defy the armies of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.'" | Philistine challenge |
| Psalm 94:4 | "They ${\textit{in wicked intent}}$[2] proclaim arrogance, they ${\textit{boast on the earth}}$[3] like all evildoers; they ${\textit{trample down}}$[4] your people, O LORD, and afflict your inheritance." | Afflicting God's people |
| Isaiah 11:13 | "The envy of Ephraim shall depart, and adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim." | Removal of enmity |
Ezekiel 25 verses
Ezekiel 25 15 Meaning
This verse describes a specific act of divine retribution against the Philistines, who had shown extreme malice and vengeance towards Israel. The act involves a hand of destruction.
Ezekiel 25 15 Context
Chapter 25 of Ezekiel is part of a larger oracle of judgment against the nations surrounding Israel. These judgments are delivered because of their malicious actions against God's people. Specifically, verses 15-17 focus on the judgment against the Philistines. Their sin is characterized by extreme vengeance and an ancient enmity towards Israel, stemming from their history of oppression and conflict. This chapter follows judgments against Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Tyre, highlighting God's sovereign justice over all nations and His particular concern for His covenant people. The historical context is during the Babylonian exile, a time when Israel was suffering and vulnerable, and these pronouncements offered assurance of God's ultimate justice and vindication.
Ezekiel 25 15 Word Analysis
- "Thus": Indicates a direct pronouncement from God.
- "says": Refers to speech, conveying divine communication.
- "the Lord":YHWH, the covenant-keeping God of Israel.
- "GOD": Elohim, a general term for God, often used in conjunction with YHWH for emphasis.
- "Because": Introduces the reason for the judgment.
- "the Philistines": The inhabitants of the coastal plain of Canaan, persistent enemies of Israel.
- "acted": Performed actions, engaged in deeds.
- "vengefully": With malicious intent, acting in a retaliatory manner.
- "and took": And committed.
- "vengeance": Retaliation, seeking to inflict harm in return for perceived wrong.
- "with": In the manner of, or characterized by.
- "soul-destroying": Describing the utter devastation and annihilation intended. This emphasizes the deep, personal, and complete nature of their malice.
- "spite": Malice, ill will, bitterness, rancor.
- "to destroy": To bring to ruin, to annihilate, to completely ruin.
- "because": Reiterates the underlying cause.
- "of their": Pertaining to the Philistines.
- "ancient": Existing from a long past period.
- "enmity": Hostility, animosity, hatred, opposition.
Word Group Analysis:
- "acted vengefully and took vengeance with soul-destroying spite to destroy": This phrase emphasizes the intensity and destructive nature of the Philistines' animosity. It’s not just simple revenge but a profound, deep-seated malice aimed at complete annihilation. The repetition of "vengeance" amplifies the concept. "Soul-destroying spite" captures the internal motivation of bitter hatred driving these destructive actions.
- "ancient enmity": This points to a historical, ongoing, and deeply rooted opposition between the Philistines and Israel, suggesting that their hostility was not an isolated incident but a recurring pattern established over generations.
Ezekiel 25 15 Bonus Section
The "hand of God" in Scripture often represents His direct intervention, power, and judgment. Here, it is a "hand of destruction," implying that God will personally bring about the Philistines' downfall through a powerful and annihilating force, mirroring the totality of their intended destruction against Israel. This echoes the severity of judgments poured out on other nations for their treatment of Israel, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to vindicate His people and uphold His covenant. The depth of the Philistines' spite is contrasted with the ultimate justice of God, who never forgets the afflictions His people endure.
Ezekiel 25 15 Commentary
Ezekiel 25:15 pronounces God's judgment upon the Philistines for their long-standing and intensely hateful opposition to Israel. Their actions are characterized not merely as political or military conflict, but as vengeance fueled by a deep, "soul-destroying spite," indicative of a fundamental antagonism. This divine retribution underscores the principle that God takes note of the animosity shown towards His people, particularly when it stems from a history of deliberate malice and destruction. The judgment is rooted in their "ancient enmity," highlighting the persistent nature of their hostile relationship with Israel. This divine verdict aligns with the broader biblical theme that vengeance belongs to God, and He will ultimately judge those who seek to utterly destroy His chosen people. The specific punitive measure described is "a hand of destruction," signifying a complete and devastating blow from God.