Ezekiel 25 4

Ezekiel 25:4 kjv

Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession, and they shall set their palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee: they shall eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk.

Ezekiel 25:4 nkjv

indeed, therefore, I will deliver you as a possession to the men of the East, and they shall set their encampments among you and make their dwellings among you; they shall eat your fruit, and they shall drink your milk.

Ezekiel 25:4 niv

therefore I am going to give you to the people of the East as a possession. They will set up their camps and pitch their tents among you; they will eat your fruit and drink your milk.

Ezekiel 25:4 esv

therefore behold, I am handing you over to the people of the East for a possession, and they shall set their encampments among you and make their dwellings in your midst. They shall eat your fruit, and they shall drink your milk.

Ezekiel 25:4 nlt

I will allow nomads from the eastern deserts to overrun your country. They will set up their camps among you and pitch their tents on your land. They will harvest all your fruit and drink the milk from your livestock.

Ezekiel 25 verses

Ezekiel 25 4 Meaning

Ezekiel 25:4 declares God's judgment upon Ammon for their malicious rejoicing over Judah's downfall. As a consequence, God promises to hand Ammon's land over to the "people of the East," specifically nomadic Arabian tribes. These invaders will not merely pass through but will settle in Ammon's territory, establishing their temporary encampments and eventually their permanent dwellings. Furthermore, they will consume all the agricultural and pastoral bounty of Ammon, signifying a complete and devastating loss of sovereignty, resources, and identity for the Ammonite people.

Ezekiel 25 4 Context

Ezekiel 25 begins a new section of prophecies concerning foreign nations, immediately following the intense period of prophecies against Judah and Jerusalem. Chapters 25-32 focus on God's judgment against seven nations surrounding Israel, with Ammon being the first addressed. These nations generally shared geographical proximity and historical ties with Israel but frequently opposed, oppressed, or celebrated Israel's misfortunes. The primary historical context for Ezekiel 25:4 is the period following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Ammon, instead of showing solidarity or compassion, exulted over the fall of God's people and the temple, often taking advantage of the power vacuum by seizing parts of Israelite territory. This specific verse declares that God, in His sovereign justice, will repay Ammon's gloating and malice by allowing another external force—the "people of the East"—to seize and exploit their land and resources, bringing a mirror-image judgment upon them.

Ezekiel 25 4 Word analysis

• Therefore (לָכֵן - lakhen): This connective adverb signifies a consequence or result. It points directly back to Ammon's actions mentioned in the preceding verses (25:1-3) – their rejoicing over the desolation of Judah and the desecration of the temple. It indicates a divinely decreed cause-and-effect relationship between Ammon's sin and its punishment.
• Behold (הִנֵּה - hinneh): An interjection used to draw attention, similar to "listen!" or "indeed." It signals the immediate announcement of a solemn and certain divine pronouncement or action, underscoring the undeniable nature of the judgment to follow.
• I will deliver (נָתַן - natan): Meaning "to give, put, set, place, grant, deliver." Here, it signifies a decisive divine act of handing over Ammon, implying their loss of protection and sovereignty. God is actively orchestrating this transfer of ownership and control, highlighting His ultimate authority over all nations.
• you (אוֹתָךְ - 'otach): The direct object, referring to Ammon (feminine singular pronoun). The personal address emphasizes the directness and specificity of the judgment against them.
• to the people of the East (לִבְנֵי־קֶדֶם - livnei-qedem): Literally, "to the sons of the east." This term broadly refers to nomadic Arab tribes inhabiting the desert regions to the east of Ammon and Judah, such as Midianites, Amalekites, or specific groups like the Nabataeans, who were known for their mobility, raiding, and encroachment on settled lands. They were a persistent threat to agrarian societies.
• as a possession (מוֹרָשָׁה - morasha): Meaning "an inheritance, possession, heritage." This is a crucial term. Instead of merely conquering, these Eastern peoples are to inherit Ammon's land, implying a lasting claim and tenure, effectively dispossessing the Ammonites completely and permanently from what was once their God-given territory. It represents a reversal of what Israel was promised (a land as an inheritance).
• and they shall set their encampments (וְהִקְּבוּ - v’hikkebu): From kavah, meaning "to gather, encamp, to set up tents." It implies initial, perhaps temporary, settling. It suggests these nomadic groups will establish their transient dwelling places within Ammonite territory, taking advantage of its pasturelands.
• among you (בְתוֹכֵךְ - b’tokhekh): "In your midst" or "in your interior." This means the invaders will penetrate deep into Ammonite lands, not just on the borders, but central to their society, exerting full control and presence.
• and make their dwellings (וּמְגוּרֵיהֶם - u'megu'reiyhem): From gur, meaning "to sojourn, dwell, reside." This term, particularly in contrast to "encampments," suggests a progression from temporary tent-dwelling (nomadic) to a more settled and established presence. It denotes a taking up of residence, transforming Ammonite cities into their homes.
• They shall eat your fruit (וְיֹאכְלוּ אֶת־פִּרְיֵךְ - v’yokhlu et-piryékh): "To eat your produce/fruit." This refers to the agricultural output of the land, signifying the seizure of cultivated goods, harvests, and agricultural prosperity.
• and drink your milk (וְיִשְׁתּוּ אֶת־חֲלָבֵךְ - v’yishtu et-chalavékh): "To drink your milk." This refers to pastoral wealth, livestock, and their products. Together with "fruit," it comprehensively describes the complete exploitation and consumption of all of Ammon's economic and nutritional resources by the invaders.

Words-group Analysis:

• I will deliver you to the people of the East as a possession: This phrase emphasizes divine sovereignty and intentional judgment. God isn't merely permitting the invasion but actively orchestrating the transfer of Ammon's land and identity to an external, less organized force, stripping them of their national identity and sovereignty by making them a mere "possession." The specific choice of "people of the East" highlights a strategic irony: Ammon sought to take from Judah; now their wealth and land will be taken by people they likely viewed as inferiors.
• they shall set their encampments among you and make their dwellings in your midst: This describes a process of gradual yet thorough occupation. Initially, temporary tent cities will arise, but these will solidify into permanent settlements, indicating the complete loss of control by Ammon and a permanent change in demographics and ownership. It paints a picture of usurpation where foreign lifestyles supplant the native one.
• They shall eat your fruit and drink your milk: This powerful metaphor signifies the comprehensive economic ruin and exploitation of Ammon. Every aspect of their prosperity, from crops to dairy, will be consumed by the invaders. It represents total dispossession and subjugation, reducing the Ammonites to an impoverished and enslaved state, with no resources left for themselves.

Ezekiel 25 4 Bonus section

The historical fulfillment of this prophecy suggests that while Nebuchadnezzar's forces might have initially subdued Ammon, the lasting desolation and ultimate dispossession came through the continuous encroachment and settlement of nomadic Arabian tribes. By the Hellenistic period, the Ammonite name faded from history, and the region became known as a territory largely settled by Arab populations, notably the Nabataeans, fulfilling the prophecy of the "people of the East" inheriting their land. This specific judgment served not only to punish Ammon but also to vindicate Yahweh's reputation among the nations, demonstrating that the God of Israel holds all powers accountable for their actions and malice.

Ezekiel 25 4 Commentary

Ezekiel 25:4 is a concise yet devastating divine pronouncement of judgment against the nation of Ammon. Its precision reflects a tit-for-tat justice, where Ammon's gloating over Jerusalem's fall (a loss of territory and resources for Judah) is mirrored by their own total dispossession. The "people of the East" are not a great imperial power like Babylon but nomadic Arab tribes, signifying that even common, less-structured groups will overrun Ammon, stripping away their perceived might and dignity. The phrase "as a possession" moves beyond temporary conquest, denoting a permanent inheritance for the invaders, erasing Ammon's national distinctiveness and sovereignty. The detailed description of the invaders establishing "encampments" and "dwellings" illustrates a systematic occupation, first with transient settlements, then permanent residency, showcasing a gradual but complete territorial seizure. Finally, "eat your fruit and drink your milk" vividly portrays the complete economic exploitation and impoverishment, where Ammon's fertile lands and pastoral wealth are utterly consumed by the foreign presence, leaving nothing for the rightful inhabitants. This verse powerfully underscores God's meticulous justice, His universal sovereignty over nations, and the severe consequences for those who despise His people.