Ezekiel 25 9

Ezekiel 25:9 kjv

Therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Bethjeshimoth, Baalmeon, and Kiriathaim,

Ezekiel 25:9 nkjv

therefore, behold, I will clear the territory of Moab of cities, of the cities on its frontier, the glory of the country, Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kirjathaim.

Ezekiel 25:9 niv

therefore I will expose the flank of Moab, beginning at its frontier towns?Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon and Kiriathaim?the glory of that land.

Ezekiel 25:9 esv

therefore I will lay open the flank of Moab from the cities, from its cities on its frontier, the glory of the country, Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim.

Ezekiel 25:9 nlt

I will open up their eastern flank and wipe out their glorious frontier towns ? Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim.

Ezekiel 25 verses

Ezekiel 25 9 Meaning

Ezekiel 25:9 declares the Lord's impending judgment upon Moab, specifying the dismantling of its strongholds and the exposure of its strategic, glorious cities. This judgment is a direct consequence of Moab's contemptuous attitude towards Judah, equating God's chosen people with all other nations and celebrating their downfall. The verse underscores God's sovereignty over nations and His commitment to justice, even against those who outwardly prosper.

Ezekiel 25 9 Context

Ezekiel 25 begins a series of prophecies (chapters 25-32) against the nations surrounding Judah, acting as a divine pronouncement of judgment for their actions against God's people, Israel. These prophecies follow Ezekiel's pronouncements against Judah and Jerusalem, explaining why their capital was besieged and destroyed, confirming God's justice in disciplining His own people. Now, God's attention turns to Judah's enemies, who, instead of showing compassion, reveled in Jerusalem's destruction, seeing it as a sign of Yahweh's weakness or inability to protect His chosen nation.

Specifically, Ezekiel 25:8-11 targets Moab. Moab, historically related to Israel through Lot, was a consistent antagonist. Their sin here is identified as saying, "Behold, the house of Judah is like all the other nations" (Eze 25:8). This implies a rejection of Judah's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh and an equating of God's sovereign plan for Israel with mere human fortune, showing profound disrespect. Their "joy of heart" over Judah's collapse (Eze 25:9-10) marked them for divine retribution. This verse thus speaks of the direct and devastating consequence for such malicious gloating and theological disdain.

Ezekiel 25 9 Word analysis

• Therefore (לָכֵן, lākhēn): An emphatic particle, functioning as "surely," "accordingly," or "for this reason." It establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship between Moab's specific actions mentioned in the preceding verse (Eze 25:8) and the severe judgment that follows. It underscores the certainty of God's decreed punishment.
• behold (הִנְנִי, hinnēnî): An interjection drawing immediate attention, literally meaning "look, I (am here)." It highlights the dramatic and imminent nature of God's action, signaling a divine declaration of personal involvement and impending action against Moab.
• I will open (פֹּתֵחַ אֲנִי, potheaḥ ʾanî): A participle implying ongoing or certain future action, emphasized by the pronoun "I." God is the direct agent of destruction, personally ensuring the fulfillment of this judgment. It speaks to divine active intervention.
• the flank (כָּתֵף, kāthēph): Literally "shoulder" or "side." In a geographical and military context, it refers to a border, edge, or a strong defensive sector—often mountainous or strategically important. "Opening the flank" metaphorically means removing its defenses, exposing it to invasion, rendering it vulnerable and indefensible. It points to a complete breakdown of their protection.
• of Moab (מוֹאָב, môʾāv): The specific nation being judged, located east of the Dead Sea, historically known for its pride and rivalry with Israel. The divine judgment is directed with precision.
• from the cities (מֵהֶעָרִים, mēheʿārîm): Implies starting from or beginning with the cities. These cities were centers of population, wealth, and power, integral to Moab's defense and identity. The judgment will dismantle these key strategic points.
• from his cities which are on his frontiers (מֵעָרָיו מִקָּצֵה, mēʿārāyw miqqātzēh): Emphasizes that even the outermost, border cities, which form the first line of defense, will be "opened." The term miqqātzēh refers to the very extremity or end. This stresses the thoroughness of the invasion and the extent of Moab's exposure, leaving no part protected.
• the glory (תִּפְאֶרֶת, tifʾeret): Refers to beauty, splendor, pride, or magnificence. These cities were considered the jewels and pride of Moab, embodying their strength, prosperity, and self-confidence. Stripping this "glory" signifies the ultimate humiliation and loss of national identity.
• of the country (הָאָרֶץ, hāʾāreṣ): "The land." Refers to Moab's entire territory. These cities were not just individual strongholds but representative of the nation's core strength and prestige.

• "I will open the flank of Moab": This phrase graphically depicts the stripping away of Moab's defenses. It's an aggressive military metaphor, suggesting a penetration and exposure of what was previously secured, making the nation completely open to hostile forces. The Lord himself becomes the agent breaking through their fortifications.
• "from the cities, from his cities which are on his frontiers": This grouping highlights the comprehensive nature of the judgment. Not just random cities, but specifically those strategically placed at the borders and serving as key defensive points. The destruction begins at the periphery and implies a collapse inward, or that all the vital outposts will be compromised, leading to full conquest.
• "the glory of the country": This is an appositional phrase referring to the listed cities. It reveals Moab's source of pride and perceived invulnerability. By targeting what they considered their "glory," God aims directly at their national self-conceit, proving their perceived strength to be fleeting and dependent on His allowance.
• "Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kiriathaim": These three specific cities are crucial.
  • Beth Jeshimoth (בֵּית הַיְשִׁימוֹת, bêth hayəshîmôth): "House of the desolations." A city in the fertile plain of Moab, near the Jordan, important for agriculture and access. Its name might become ironically prophetic given the judgment.
  • Baal Meon (בַּעַל מְעוֹן, baʿal məʿôn): "Baal of dwelling" or "Baal of habitation." Located in a rich plateau region, indicating its agricultural wealth and potentially a cultic center for Baal worship, signifying their reliance on pagan deities instead of the true God.
  • Kiriathaim (קִרְיָתַיִם, qiryāthayim): "Two cities." Also located on the Moabite plateau, possibly signifying its dual strongholds or being at a junction of importance. Its mention highlights its strategic and perhaps political significance.
  The specific naming of these well-known Moabite cities—all powerful, representative centers—confirms the precision and certainty of God's judgment and ensures the original audience would immediately grasp the scope of the impending destruction upon their formidable neighbor. These were not minor villages but key strongholds, often mentioned in other prophecies against Moab (Jer 48).

Ezekiel 25 9 Bonus section

The three cities mentioned, Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kiriathaim, represent critical points within Moab. Beth Jeshimoth was strategically located near the Jordan River, a gateway. Baal Meon was centrally located on the Moabite plateau, indicating economic and religious significance (due to "Baal"). Kiriathaim, further south, suggests control over a significant stretch of territory. The selection of these particular cities, mentioned in other prophetic contexts and historical records as strong and vital to Moab's identity and defense, highlights the thoroughness and scope of the coming judgment. It’s a targeted strike at the heart of their perceived security and prestige, directly confronting their nationalistic pride and false confidence in their geographical position or pagan deities like Baal. This prophetic detailing assured Judah of God's comprehensive knowledge and unwavering commitment to justice, extending even to the seemingly insurmountable strongholds of their ancient adversaries.

Ezekiel 25 9 Commentary

Ezekiel 25:9 delivers a specific and devastating prophecy of God's judgment upon Moab, directly connecting it to their contemptuous rejoicing over Judah's downfall. The imagery of "opening the flank" vividly conveys a total breakdown of national defense, exposing Moab to invasion from all directions. By targeting the "glory of the country"—specifically Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kiriathaim—God directly confronts Moab's pride, symbolized by these renowned cities that were considered invincible strongholds. These were not merely towns, but centers of Moabite power, wealth, and potentially idolatry. God's action here serves as a potent reminder of His sovereignty over all nations. Those who rejoice in the misfortune of His covenant people, viewing them as ordinary and thereby dismissing God's unique relationship with them, invite severe divine retribution. This verse establishes that while God disciplines His own, He also avenges injustice against them, ultimately asserting His authority over human pride and geopolitics. The judgment upon Moab illustrates the principle of sowing and reaping, where contempt for God's purposes leads to devastating consequences, transforming national glory into exposed vulnerability.