Ezekiel 35 12

Ezekiel 35:12 kjv

And thou shalt know that I am the LORD, and that I have heard all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume.

Ezekiel 35:12 nkjv

Then you shall know that I am the LORD. I have heard all your blasphemies which you have spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, 'They are desolate; they are given to us to consume.'

Ezekiel 35:12 niv

Then you will know that I the LORD have heard all the contemptible things you have said against the mountains of Israel. You said, "They have been laid waste and have been given over to us to devour."

Ezekiel 35:12 esv

And you shall know that I am the LORD. "I have heard all the revilings that you uttered against the mountains of Israel, saying, 'They are laid desolate; they are given us to devour.'

Ezekiel 35:12 nlt

Then you will know that I, the LORD, have heard every contemptuous word you spoke against the mountains of Israel. For you said, 'They are desolate; they have been given to us as food to eat!'

Ezekiel 35 verses

Ezekiel 35 12 meaning

Ezekiel 35:12 proclaims God's intimate awareness of Edom's hostile intentions and revilings against Israel. It underscores that the LORD not only heard Edom's contemptuous words, specifically their assertion of claiming the desolated land of Israel for themselves, but also takes personal knowledge and action concerning them. This verse sets the stage for God's impending judgment upon Edom, assuring that they will experientially understand His sovereignty and justice through their coming judgment. It reinforces that the land of Israel, despite its temporary desolation, remains God's inheritance and is not subject to the predatory desires of its enemies.

Ezekiel 35 12 Context

Ezekiel chapter 35, following the vision of dry bones and promises of restoration for Israel in chapters 36-37, acts as a severe judgment oracle specifically against Mount Seir, which represents Edom. This placement is significant: before God fully restores His people, their adversaries, particularly those who reveled in their suffering, must face justice. The historical background is the period immediately following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. While Judah was devastated and exiled, Edom, a neighboring nation with a long history of animosity towards Israel (dating back to Jacob and Esau), seized the opportunity. They not only failed to aid their "brother" Judah but actively rejoiced in their downfall, plundered the desolate land, and planned to annex the territories of Judah and Israel. Edom's actions were perceived as a direct challenge to God's covenant promises regarding the land of Israel and a profanation of His holy people. This chapter functions as a theological polemic against the idea that Edom's opportunistic greed could override divine decree or that God was oblivious or powerless concerning their wickedness.

Ezekiel 35 12 Word analysis

• Then you will know: (וְיָדַעְתָּ - ve·ya·da'ta) This is a crucial phrase in Ezekiel, indicating an experiential, often harsh, realization. It means to comprehend profoundly, not just intellectually, but through direct observation of God's powerful acts of judgment or restoration. In this context, Edom will learn God's identity and power through their own impending destruction.
• that I the LORD: (כִּי־אֲנִי יְהוָה - ki-ani YHVH) The definite article "the" emphasizes the singular identity of Yahweh, Israel's covenant God. This is the heart of the "recognition formula" in Ezekiel, highlighting God's self-revelation. It contrasts Yahweh with any false gods Edom might have worshiped and asserts His ultimate authority and sole claim over His land and people.
• have heard: (שָׁמַעְתִּי - sha·ma'ti) From the root שָׁמַע (shama'), meaning "to hear," "listen," or even "obey." Here, it stresses God's attentiveness and complete awareness of every word uttered by Edom, implying not just passive reception but active consideration leading to a response. Nothing escapes His notice.
• all the revilings: (כָּל־נִאֻצוּי - kol-ni'utza·i) From the root נִאֵץ (ni'etz), meaning to scorn, despise, blaspheme, revile, or treat with contempt. This word conveys intense hatred and disrespect. "All" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of their contempt. Their words were not just insults but defiant acts of hostility against God and His people.
• that you uttered against the mountains of Israel: (אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתָּ עַל הָרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - asher dibbarta 'al ha·rei yis·ra·'el) "Mountains of Israel" metaphorically refers to the entire land and, by extension, the people of Israel. To speak "against" (עַל - 'al) implies not just "concerning" but active opposition. Edom's scorn was directed at the very heart of God's covenantal inheritance.
• saying: (לֵאמֹר - le'mor) A common Hebrew particle introducing direct speech, revealing Edom's exact words and thus their motives and presumptions.
• They are laid desolate; they are given to us to devour: (נָשַׁמּוּ לָנוּ נִתְּנוּ לְאָכְלָה - nashammu lanu nittnu le'akhla)
  • They are laid desolate: (נָשַׁמּוּ - na·sham·mu) This word describes the ruined state of the land after the Babylonian invasion. Edom uses this factual desolation to justify their avarice.
  • they are given to us to devour: (לָנוּ נִתְּנוּ לְאָכְלָה - lanu nittnu le'akhla)
    • "given to us": This reveals Edom's entitlement and perceived right to seize what was God's. It also subtly challenges God's sovereignty, as if the desolation meant God had abandoned the land and given it away.
    • "to devour" (le'akhla): Literally "for food." This is a strong metaphor, implying predatory, consuming, and destructive appropriation. Edom sought not to build or cultivate but to consume and exploit the land of Israel for their own gain. It paints Edom as a ravenous beast preying on a weakened victim.

Ezekiel 35 12 Bonus section

• The phrase "know that I am the LORD" (yada'ti ki ani YHVH) appears frequently in Ezekiel, functioning as a revelation formula where God's identity is definitively proven through His actions of judgment or salvation. For Edom, this knowledge comes through punitive judgment.
• The use of "devour" (le'akhla) portrays Edom not as a legitimate inheritor or even a conqueror, but as a scavenger or beast, highlighting the predatory and morally bankrupt nature of their intentions. This imagery evokes a deep sense of horror and disgust at Edom's actions.
• The oracle against Edom serves a dual purpose: it condemns Edom's specific sins (gloating, land-grabbing, animosity), but also functions as a powerful affirmation for Israel, reassuring them that God remains sovereign over their land and history, even during their darkest times.

Ezekiel 35 12 Commentary

Ezekiel 35:12 acts as a profound statement of divine omnipresence and justice. Edom’s words of scorn and predatory ambition, uttered in the midst of Israel’s deepest humiliation, were heard by the omnipresent God. This isn't just passive hearing but an attentive observation that compels divine action. The "mountains of Israel" symbolize God’s covenant land, the inheritance of His people. Edom’s declaration that "They are laid desolate; they are given to us to devour" expresses a worldview blind to God’s ownership and enduring covenant with Israel. They misinterpreted Israel's desolation as an abandonment by God and an opportunity for their own territorial expansion. God's response ensures that Edom will come to "know" Him experientially, through a reversal of fortune mirroring their malicious intent. Just as Edom hoped to devour Israel's land, God would make Edom desolate. The verse underscores that disrespect shown to God’s people and His covenant land is seen as direct disrespect toward God Himself, invoking His righteous wrath and unwavering commitment to His promises.