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

This verse is a prophetic declaration of judgment against the Ammonites, foretelling their destruction and the desolation of their land. It highlights divine retribution for their past aggressions and cruelty towards God's people. The pronouncement of judgment is severe, indicating a complete and utter ruin.

Ezekiel 25 17 Context

Ezekiel chapter 25 is part of a larger section in the book of Ezekiel (chapters 25-32) that contains prophecies of judgment against various nations surrounding Israel. These nations had shown hostility towards Israel, particularly during and after the Babylonian exile. Ezekiel is commissioned by God to pronounce judgment on the Ammonites for their gloating over Jerusalem's destruction and their past hostilities. The historical context involves the aftermath of Jerusalem's fall to Babylon, where surrounding nations either rejoiced or took advantage of Judah's weakened state. This prophecy, therefore, serves as a divine response to their unrighteous actions and a reassurance to the exiles that God sees and will act against their oppressors.

Ezekiel 25 17 Word Analysis

• "So": (Hebrew: וְלָכֵן - welakon) - "And therefore," "so then." Indicates a logical consequence and a reason for the following declaration.
• "thou shalt": Emphatic assertion of God's action through the prophet.
• "bring": (Hebrew: עָשָׂה - asah) - Literally "do" or "make," here used for bringing judgment upon a land.
• "upon": Signifies the direct impact and imposition of divine judgment.
• "thee": Refers to the nation of Ammon.
• "also": Highlights that this judgment is in addition to previous or simultaneous judgments on other nations.
• "and mine": Possessive pronoun connecting God's actions directly to His own judgment and purpose.
• "hand": (Hebrew: יָד - yad) - Symbolizes power, action, and divine intervention or execution.
• "upon": Again, indicates direct imposition.
• "against": Denotes opposition and a direct confrontation with the Ammonites.
• "thee": The Ammonite nation.
• "and I": Emphasizes God as the active agent of this judgment.
• "will stretch forth": (Hebrew: נָטָה - natan) - A posture of judgment or wrath, like drawing a bow or extending a hand to strike.
• "mine hand": Symbolizes divine power and execution of judgment.
• "against": Opposition and direct action towards.
• "thee": The Ammonites.
• "and I": God reiterates His active role.
• "will cut off": (Hebrew: חָרַם - charam) - Implies complete destruction, extermination, and removal, often used in the context of divine judgment or cherem (devoted to destruction).
• "thine": Possessive, referring to the Ammonites' possessions or entities.
• "Idolatry" (The word "idolatry" is not in the Hebrew text of Ezekiel 25:17. The verse states "and I will cut off the remnant of the plain of the sons of Ammon" in English translations like KJV. The original Hebrew focuses on the land and its people, not specifically on the practice of idolatry as the direct reason for cutting off, though idolatry was characteristic of these nations. A more accurate interpretation of the Hebrew would be to focus on the complete eradication of the people and their dwelling places). The Hebrew phrase translated as "remnant of the plain of the sons of Ammon" is מַשְׁאַת־בְּנֵי־עַמּוֹן (mash'at beney 'ammon) - meaning the residue or remnant of the plain of the sons of Ammon. This refers to the surviving people and the remainder of their territory.
• "and I": Again, God asserting His will and action.
• "will destroy": (Hebrew: אַבֵּד - abed) - To perish, be lost, be ruined. Emphasizes annihilation.
• "the remnant of the plain of the sons of Ammon": Refers to the remaining people and settlements of Ammon, specifically their inhabitation on the plains. This indicates total desolation.
• "and they": Referring to the Ammonites or their lands.
• "shall know": (Hebrew: יָדַע - yada' ) - To know, to recognize, to understand. This knowledge comes through experiencing God's judgment.
• "that": Connects the knowing to the cause.
• "I": God identifies Himself as the source of this knowledge.
• "am": Simple declaration of being.
• "the LORD": (Hebrew: יְהוָה - Yahweh) - The personal covenant name of God.
• "when": Introduces the condition or circumstance under which the knowing will occur.
• "I": God, the agent.
• "bring": (Hebrew: שָׂם - sam) - To put, place, set, here implying setting forth or unleashing His judgment.
• "my vengeance": (Hebrew: נְקָמָתִי - neqamathi) - My recompense, my revenge, my retribution. God's justified response to wrongs committed.
• "upon": Against whom the vengeance is brought.
• "thee": The Ammonite nation.

Ezekiel 25 17 Bonus Section

The phrase "and I will cut off the remnant of the plain of the sons of Ammon" has often been misunderstood due to translation variations. Early English translations, like the King James Version, might include "idolatry" where the original Hebrew speaks of the "remnant of the plain." The true focus is on the complete removal and desolation of the Ammonite people and their territories, particularly their settlements in the plains. This total destruction underscores God's commitment to executing justice against those who defy Him and harm His people. The verse is a stark reminder of God's sovereignty and His active involvement in the affairs of nations.

Ezekiel 25 17 Commentary

Ezekiel 25:17 is a powerful prophetic statement where God declares His direct action of judgment against the Ammonites. It is not merely a prediction of natural events but a pronouncement of God's sovereign intervention. The language used—"bring mine hand upon thee," "cut off," "destroy"—conveys a message of total devastation. This judgment is presented as a consequence of the Ammonites' actions, particularly their hostile disposition and their rejoicing over Judah's downfall. The verse also emphasizes that through this judgment, the Ammonites (and by extension, all who witness it) will come to know Jehovah (Yahweh) as the active, avenging God. This is a core theme in Ezekiel: demonstrating God's justice and holiness in dealing with nations that oppose His will and His people. The utter destruction signified is a severe demonstration of divine retribution and a warning against mocking or mistreating God's chosen.