Ezekiel 25 17

Ezekiel 25:17 kjv

And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.

Ezekiel 25:17 nkjv

I will execute great vengeance on them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I lay My vengeance upon them." ' "

Ezekiel 25:17 niv

I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I take vengeance on them.'?"

Ezekiel 25:17 esv

I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I lay my vengeance upon them."

Ezekiel 25:17 nlt

I will execute terrible vengeance against them to punish them for what they have done. And when I have inflicted my revenge, they will know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel 25 verses

Ezekiel 25 17 Meaning

Ezekiel 25:17 declares God's imminent and severe judgment upon the Philistines for their vengeful and malicious actions against Israel. God explicitly states He will execute "great vengeance" and inflict "furious rebukes." The ultimate purpose of this divine retribution is for them, and indeed all observers, to "know that I am the LORD," thereby revealing His absolute sovereignty and unwavering justice. This verse emphasizes that the justice administered will be intensely personal, coming directly from God Himself.

Ezekiel 25 17 Context

Ezekiel 25 is a prophetic oracle against the surrounding nations (Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia) that either rejoiced over Jerusalem's downfall or actively participated in its demise with malice and ancient animosity. God condemns their opportunistic and vengeful behavior, which was perceived as a direct insult to Him and His covenant people. Specifically, verse 17 concludes the judgment against the Philistines, who harbored "ancient enmity" and "executed revenge" with "malice of soul," delighting in the destruction of God's people. This chapter demonstrates that while God permitted Jerusalem's destruction as a judgment upon Judah, He would not tolerate other nations' cruel exploitation and contempt towards His afflicted people. He would act to reassert His sovereign authority, not only over Israel but over all nations, making His name known through powerful demonstrations of justice.

Ezekiel 25 17 Word analysis

• And I will execute (וְעָשִׂ֜יתִי ve'asiti): The Hebrew verb 'asah means "to make," "to do," or "to execute." Here, it signifies direct, intentional divine action. It is God Himself who is performing these deeds, not allowing natural consequences or human agents alone. This emphasizes His personal involvement.
• great (גְּדֹל֣וֹת g'dolot): Means "large," "great," or "mighty." It modifies "vengeance" and "rebukes," underscoring the severity, intensity, and far-reaching impact of God's impending judgment. It signifies not just an act, but a significant, monumental action.
• vengeance (נְקָמָ֗ה n'kamah): From the root NQM (נָקַם), it signifies retribution, reprisal, or vengeance. In a biblical context, when ascribed to God, it is always a righteous and just act, not spiteful or personal revenge driven by human emotion. It serves to re-establish justice, uphold the divine moral order, and defend His honor and His people. Unlike human vengeance which is often motivated by sin and often exceeds justice, God's vengeance is precise, proportionate, and pure.
• upon them (בָּהֶם֙ bahem): Refers to the Philistines, specifically named earlier in Ezekiel 25:15-16. This pronouncement of judgment is unequivocally directed at them.
• with furious (חֵמָ֑ה chemah): Meaning "wrath," "anger," "rage," or "fury." It describes the intense emotional state of God's righteous anger accompanying His judgment. It signifies an ardent, burning indignation. This isn't cold justice, but passionate, righteous fury against injustice.
• rebukes (תּוֹכְח֣וֹת tochechot): Refers to "chastisements," "reproofs," "corrections," or "admonitions." When paired with 'chemah' (furious), it indicates that the divine punishment itself will be a profound and undeniable demonstration of God's anger and His clear declaration of their wrongdoings. It's not merely destructive but declaratory – exposing their guilt through His actions.
• and they shall know (וְיָֽדְעוּ֙ ve'yada'u): From the root YADA' (יָדַע), meaning "to know," "to perceive," "to understand," or "to recognize." This is a crucial theological phrase throughout Ezekiel. The outcome of God's actions, whether blessing or judgment, is always designed to bring about a full and experiential recognition of His identity, power, and character. It implies not just intellectual knowledge but an undeniable, felt conviction.
• that I am the LORD (כִּֽי־אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָֽה ki-ani YHWH): "The LORD" is a translation of God's covenant name, Yahweh (YHWH), the proper name of the God of Israel. The phrase "I am the LORD" is a core self-revelation, asserting God's uniqueness, absolute sovereignty, covenant faithfulness, and supreme power over all creation and all other purported gods. The Philistines, who worshipped their own deities like Dagon, will be forced to acknowledge that YHWH is the one true, active God, revealed through His powerful acts of judgment.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And I will execute great vengeance upon them": This phrase directly states God's proactive, grand-scale punishment. It's a divine promise of justice, emphasizing that the scale of retribution will match the "great" offense of Philistia's malice and historical enmity. It highlights God as the ultimate avenger, intervening decisively in history.
• "with furious rebukes": This paints a picture of intense divine displeasure. The "rebukes" are not just words but active demonstrations of God's fury. It implies the judgment will not be silent or subtle, but a resounding declaration of their guilt, manifested through overwhelming wrath. This isn't mere consequence but a targeted expression of divine indignation.
• "and they shall know that I am the LORD": This recurring "recognition formula" is the overarching purpose of all divine judgments and interventions in Ezekiel. The aim is not simply punishment, but the revelation of God's identity and power to both His people and the surrounding nations. The Philistines' experience of severe judgment will force them to recognize the supremacy of YHWH, confirming that He alone is sovereign and capable of such powerful action, effectively discrediting their own deities.

Ezekiel 25 17 Bonus section

The emphasis on "knowing that I am the LORD" (ki-ani YHWH) is a hallmark phrase in Ezekiel, appearing over 70 times. It signifies not just an intellectual acknowledgment, but a deep, undeniable recognition and submission to God's authority through direct experience. This is crucial for understanding God's judgment, as it is always redemptive in its ultimate intent—even for those on whom the judgment falls, if it leads to repentance, or for others who witness it and learn. The judgment upon Philistia here is an expression of divine zeal (often called qanah) for His honor and for the safety of His people, illustrating God's covenant faithfulness even amidst the apostasy and punishment of Judah. This judgment against their enemies also subtly reassures the exiled Israelites that their God has not abandoned them but remains active and sovereign over all nations.

Ezekiel 25 17 Commentary

Ezekiel 25:17 serves as a climactic declaration of God's absolute justice against those who inflict harm upon His chosen people with malicious intent. The severity described, through "great vengeance" and "furious rebukes," underscores that God takes the suffering of His people personally, particularly when exacerbated by the heartless cruelty of their enemies. It reveals God's righteous character, where His mercy is balanced by His justice. The purpose transcends mere punishment; it aims for an experiential revelation of YHWH as the supreme, active God. Through these divine acts, not only the Philistines but all nations will come to comprehend God's unchallenged authority and that He intervenes purposefully in the affairs of humanity, defending His honor and His people. This verse acts as a solemn warning against contempt for God's covenant and His people, demonstrating that ultimately, "vengeance is Mine; I will repay," as echoed in the New Testament.