Ezekiel 25 3

Ezekiel 25:3 kjv

And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;

Ezekiel 25:3 nkjv

Say to the Ammonites, 'Hear the word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD: "Because you said, 'Aha!' against My sanctuary when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel when it was desolate, and against the house of Judah when they went into captivity,

Ezekiel 25:3 niv

Say to them, 'Hear the word of the Sovereign LORD. This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because you said "Aha!" over my sanctuary when it was desecrated and over the land of Israel when it was laid waste and over the people of Judah when they went into exile,

Ezekiel 25:3 esv

Say to the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD: Thus says the Lord GOD, Because you said, 'Aha!' over my sanctuary when it was profaned, and over the land of Israel when it was made desolate, and over the house of Judah when they went into exile,

Ezekiel 25:3 nlt

Give the Ammonites this message from the Sovereign LORD: Hear the word of the Sovereign LORD! Because you cheered when my Temple was defiled, mocked Israel in her desolation, and laughed at Judah as she went away into exile,

Ezekiel 25 verses

Ezekiel 25 3 Meaning

This verse pronounces a judgment upon Ammon for their jubilant rejoicing and treacherous actions against Israel after the devastation of Jerusalem. It signifies divine retribution for their pride and malicious delight in Israel's suffering.

Ezekiel 25 3 Context

This verse is part of a series of oracles of judgment against Israel's surrounding nations (chapters 25-32). Ezekiel 25 specifically targets Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia for their actions against Israel. Ammon's transgression, as described here and elaborated in subsequent verses, stemmed from their arrogant glee and hostile behavior towards Judah when Jerusalem fell to Babylon. This verse serves as the introduction to God's direct pronouncement of judgment against the Ammonites, outlining the reason for their coming doom. Historically, the Ammonites, descendants of Lot, often exhibited hostility towards Israel, and their exultation over Jerusalem's destruction would have been a deeply offensive act in the eyes of God.

Ezekiel 25 3 Word Analysis

• Thus (כֹּה - koh):

  • Meaning: So, thus, in this manner.
  • Significance: Introduces a declarative statement, marking an authoritative declaration from the Lord.

• says (אָמַר - amar):

  • Meaning: To say, to speak, to command.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the message being delivered.

• the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH):

  • Meaning: The Tetragrammaton, the personal covenant name of God.
  • Significance: Establishes the speaker as the God of Israel, intimately involved in history and justice.

• GOD (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim):

  • Meaning: God, mighty one, creator.
  • Significance: Reinforces the divine authority, used in conjunction with YHWH to denote God's sovereign power and role as the one who judges.

• Thus (כֹּה - koh):

  • Meaning: So, thus, in this manner.
  • Significance: Repeated to emphasize the precise manner and certainty of the coming judgment.

• says (אָמַר - amar):

  • Meaning: To say, to speak, to command.
  • Significance: Further affirmation of divine instruction and pronouncement.

• the Lord (אֲדֹנָי - Adonai):

  • Meaning: Lord, master.
  • Significance: A title of respect and authority, emphasizing God's sovereignty and Lordship.

• GOD (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim):

  • Meaning: God, mighty one, creator.
  • Significance: Together with Adonai, this compound expresses God's supreme authority as Lord and Creator.

• Hear (שְׁמַע - shama):

  • Meaning: To hear, to listen, to obey.
  • Significance: A direct command, demanding attention and acknowledgment of the divine word. It implies not just passive hearing but active obedience and consideration.

• word (דְּבַר - devar):

  • Meaning: Word, matter, thing, promise, command.
  • Significance: Refers to the divine message, a pronouncement of truth and intent.

• of the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH):

  • Meaning: Of Yahweh.
  • Significance: Identifies the source of the word, highlighting the covenantal relationship and God's active role in history.

• GOD (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim):

  • Meaning: God.
  • Significance: Assures that the authority comes from the supreme God.

• Thus (כֹּה - koh):

  • Meaning: So, thus, in this manner.
  • Significance: Indicates the manner in which the statement is to be understood and executed – by divine decree.

• says (אָמַר - amar):

  • Meaning: To say, to speak, to command.
  • Significance: Again emphasizes the speaker and the authority of the utterance.

• the Lord (אֲדֹנָי - Adonai):

  • Meaning: Lord, master.
  • Significance: Reinforces God's absolute dominion and authority over all nations, including Ammon.

• GOD (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim):

  • Meaning: God.
  • Significance: Underscores the divine power and sovereignty behind the command.

• Hear (שְׁמַע - shama):

  • Meaning: To hear, to listen, to obey.
  • Significance: The repetition of "Hear" strongly emphasizes the importance of this pronouncement, signaling a critical moment of divine judgment and an expectation of its execution. It commands attention and impending action.

• the word (דְּבַר - devar):

  • Meaning: Word, matter, thing.
  • Significance: The content of the divine message being delivered to the Ammonites, which is one of judgment.

• of the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH):

  • Meaning: Of Yahweh.
  • Significance: Identifies the authoritative source of this message—the God of Israel who is about to act.

• GOD (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim):

  • Meaning: God.
  • Significance: Further reinforces the supreme divine authority that underpins the prophecy.

• Hear ye (שְׁמַע - shama):

  • Meaning: Hear (imperative, plural).
  • Significance: This imperative form targets the collective "you"—the people of Ammon. It is a call to pay heed to the divine pronouncement. The imperative structure signifies immediate and decisive action required from the recipient.

• the word (דְּבַר - devar):

  • Meaning: Word, matter, message.
  • Significance: It's not just speech, but a decree with consequences, highlighting the gravity of God's communication.

• of the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH):

  • Meaning: Of Yahweh.
  • Significance: Pinpoints the authority: the God of the covenant who acts within history. This reminds the audience of the God they have wronged.

• GOD (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim):

  • Meaning: God.
  • Significance: Adds further weight, emphasizing God's sovereign, omnipotent nature, which is now focused on judgment.

• Thus (כֹּה - koh):

  • Meaning: So, thus.
  • Significance: Introduces the substance of the prophecy, signifying that what follows is the direct pronouncement of divine will and action.

• says (אָמַר - amar):

  • Meaning: Says.
  • Significance: The action of divine declaration, marking the oracle.

• the Lord (אֲדֹנָי - Adonai):

  • Meaning: Lord, Master.
  • Significance: Titles reinforcing God's absolute sovereignty and authority, especially over the nations addressed.

• GOD (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim):

  • Meaning: God.
  • Significance: Reinforces the divine decree coming from the one Creator and Judge.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Thus says the LORD GOD" (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים - koh amar YHWH Elohim): This repeated formula signifies divine authority and the impending pronouncement of a decree. It is the signature of prophecy, ensuring the listener recognizes the divine origin of the message. The combination of YHWH and Elohim emphasizes God's personal, covenantal nature and His absolute, creator power.
  • "Hear the word of the LORD GOD" (שְׁמַע בְּדַבְרַי בֶּן-אָדָם — The Hebrew for Ezekiel 25:3 in English translation differs, the Hebrew reads more literally "Hear my words, son of man." However, when addressing nations, the structure typically becomes "Thus says the LORD GOD". In Ezekiel 25:3 specifically, the structure for Ammon is "Hear the word of the LORD GOD" followed by the content of the prophecy.): The "Hear the word" phrase is an imperative, calling for focused attention and obedience to God's decree. It underscores the critical nature of the message concerning judgment.
  • Repetitions of "Thus says the Lord GOD": The repetition throughout this section emphasizes the absolute certainty and divine enforcement of the judgment being declared against these nations. There is no doubt or room for appeal; God's word is final and executable.

Ezekiel 25 3 Bonus Section

The focus on Ammon's reaction to Jerusalem's destruction highlights a key theme in the prophetic books: divine vindication of Israel. While Israel often fell into sin and experienced judgment, their enemies' exultation was seen as an affront to God Himself. This passage also echoes the concept of divine retribution, a core tenet of God’s justice, where evil actions lead to corresponding consequences, often carried out by human agents acting under God's permissive or directive will. The Ammonites' ancestral enmity, mentioned in historical accounts like 2 Samuel 10, likely amplified their hostility during Jerusalem's time of weakness.

Ezekiel 25 3 Commentary

This verse opens an oracle of judgment directed at the Ammonites. The repetition of divine titles ("LORD GOD") underscores the absolute authority and inevitability of the pronouncements that follow. The command to "Hear" is an urgent call to attention, signaling that God is about to act decisively in response to their transgressions. Their specific sin is detailed in the subsequent verses, which highlights their malicious glee over Judah's downfall. This sets a clear precedent: God does not overlook or condone the delight enemies take in the suffering of His people. The judgment pronounced is a direct consequence of their actions and their hostile attitude, reflecting a core biblical principle that God’s justice will always prevail against those who act with malice and pride against His covenant people.