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

This verse proclaims that the Lord has heard the contemptuous words spoken by Mount Seir against Israel. It states that God will repay him according to his wicked deeds. The primary message is God's divine awareness of and promised retribution for the animosity and mockery directed towards His chosen people.

Ezekiel 35 12 Context

Ezekiel chapter 35 addresses the specific judgment of God against Mount Seir (Edom) for their actions and attitude towards Judah, particularly during the fall of Jerusalem. The surrounding verses (Ezekiel 35:1-11) describe the divine declaration of war against Mount Seir for its ancient hatred and its joy over Judah's devastation. Mount Seir is depicted as an enemy that profited from and rejoiced in Israel's suffering. Ezekiel 35:12 is a direct confirmation by the Lord that He has heard Edom's hateful speech and boasts. The historical context involves Edom's historical animosity towards Israel, which peaked during the Babylonian conquest of Judah. Edom is also mentioned in Genesis for its association with Esau, Jacob's brother. The chapter, as a whole, is a prophecy of divine retribution for Edom's betrayal and mistreatment of Israel.

Ezekiel 35 12 Word analysis

• And (וְ): A conjunction connecting clauses or sentences. Here, it links the statement of God hearing to His action of judgment.
• Hear (שָׁמַעְתִּי - shama'ti): First-person singular perfect of שָׁמַע (shama'). This means "to hear," "to listen," "to obey," but in this context, it signifies God's full awareness and reception of what has been said. It's not just auditory perception but also acknowledgment and intention to act.
• I (אֲנִי - 'anokhi): First-person singular pronoun, emphasizing God's direct involvement and personal knowledge.
• Said (דִּבֵּר - dibbēr): A verb meaning "to speak," "to say," or "to commune." Here it refers to the words spoken.
• Against (עַל - 'al): A preposition often meaning "upon," "against," "concerning," or "because of." Here it signifies the direction or target of the words spoken, i.e., against Israel.
• Me (אֹתִי - 'oti): The direct object pronoun of the first person, referring back to God (as the speaker of the verse). This highlights that their malicious words were ultimately directed at God himself by speaking against His people and His covenant promises.
• Against (בְּ - be): Another preposition, here signifying "in" or "with," indicating the manner or medium.
• You (נַפְשֵׁךְ - naphshek): Second-person feminine singular, referring to Mount Seir (represented by its people or collective identity). "Your soul" or "your life."
• Your (דְּבָרַיִךְ - d'varayikh): Second-person feminine plural possessive, modifying "words" (d'varim). Refers to the words spoken by Mount Seir.
• Words (דְּבָרִים - d'varim): Plural of דָּבָר (davar), meaning "words," "utterances," "sayings," or "matters." It encompasses what was spoken in contempt.
• Which (אֲשֶׁר - 'asher): A relative pronoun connecting the words spoken to the characteristic of those words.
• You (אַתְּ - 'at): Second-person feminine singular pronoun, again referring to Mount Seir.
• Spoke (דִּבַּרְתֶּם - dibbartem): Second-person masculine plural verb from דִּבֵּר (dibbēr), indicating "you spoke." The change from feminine singular (naphshek, d'varayikh) to masculine plural for speaking might imply the male leaders or populace as the primary speakers, or it could be a general usage in Hebrew.
• Against (עַל - 'al): Preposition indicating opposition.
• Me (אֹתִי - 'oti): First-person singular direct object pronoun, referring to God.
• In (עַל - 'al): Preposition here indicating "upon," "over," or "concerning."
• My (הָרַי - harai): First-person singular possessive adjective, meaning "my mountains," referring to the mountains of Israel.
• Mountains (הָרִים - harim): Plural of הַר (har), meaning "mountains," "hills," or "mountainous regions." The people of Israel also identified with the mountains of their land.
• In (בְּ - be): Preposition indicating the state or manner.
• Desolations (שִׁמְמָה - shimmah): A feminine noun meaning "desolation," "waste," or "barrenness." Refers to the state of Judah's land due to invasion.
• And (וְ - ve): Conjunction.
• Was (הָיוּ - hayu): Third-person plural perfect of הָיָה (hayah), meaning "to be" or "to become."
• Were (נָפְלוּ - naflu): Third-person plural perfect passive of נָפַל (naphal), meaning "to fall."
• Fallen (לַחַרְבָּה - lacharavah): Prepositional phrase, from לְ (le) "to" + חָרְבָּה (chorbah) "desolation," "ruin." Together, they imply "to ruin" or "into ruin," a consequence of war and destruction.
• And (וְ - ve): Conjunction.
• I (אֲנִי - 'anokhi): First-person pronoun.
• Will return (אָשִׁיב - 'ashiv): First-person singular future (imperfect) of שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to return," "to repay," "to restore." Here it signifies retribution.
• It (אוֹתָהּ - otah): Third-person feminine singular direct object pronoun, referring to "the same" action or the outcome.
• Upon (עַל - 'al): Preposition indicating the object of action.
• Your (נַפְשֶׁךְ - naphshek): Second-person feminine singular pronoun, "your soul" or "your life."
• Head (רֹאשׁ - rosh): Masculine noun meaning "head." It refers to bringing retribution upon them, encompassing their whole being and leadership.
• The (אֹת - 'ot): Sign of the accusative case, often untranslated, before the direct object.
• Deed (מְלַאכְתֶּךָ - m'lachetekh): Masculine noun with second-person masculine singular possessive, meaning "your work" or "your deed." The switch in gender here from the feminine addressing of Mount Seir earlier (naphshek, d'varayikh) to masculine (m'lachetekh) is notable. It could be generalizing the entire people or referring to the "act" or "deed" as a masculine concept, or it might be a slip in the text translation, though Hebrew consistently refers to Edom's actions here. Another view is that "Mount Seir" as a geographical entity is addressed feminine, but the "deed" or "work" they have performed is referred to in masculine gender. The primary meaning remains that their actions are the basis for retribution.
• Which (אֲשֶׁר - 'asher): Relative pronoun.
• You (עָשִׂיתָ - 'asita): Second-person masculine singular perfect of עָשָׂה (asah), meaning "you did" or "you made." This reinforces the action for which retribution is given.

Word-group analysis:

• "the words which you spoke against me": This phrase emphasizes that Edom's specific verbal attacks, likely uttered in celebration of Jerusalem's fall, are noted by God.
• "against my mountains in their desolation": This links their scorn to the plight of Israel's sacred land, highlighting the insult to God's own territory.
• "in their desolations were fallen": This captures the context of the devastating events that Edom rejoiced over, portraying a land in ruins.
• "I will return it upon your own head": This is a strong idiom for divine retribution, signifying that the consequence will be directly proportional and applied to the perpetrator.

Ezekiel 35 12 Bonus section

The prophet Ezekiel's commission often involved pronouncing judgment against the nations surrounding Israel. Mount Seir (Edom) is a recurrent target, as their antagonism predates the Babylonian exile and continued even as Judah fell. This specific verse reflects a pattern in the Old Testament where geographical entities or their peoples are personified and addressed directly by God in prophecies of judgment or blessing. The use of "head" (rosh) in "upon your head" is idiomatic, suggesting retribution will fall fully on the entire entity. The repetition of "against me" signifies that attacks on Israel are, in essence, attacks on God Himself due to His covenantal relationship with them. This principle is mirrored in the New Testament where persecution of believers is described as persecution of Christ (Acts 9:4-5).

Ezekiel 35 12 Commentary

The verse reveals God's perfect knowledge and memory of all spoken words, especially those of malice and opposition against Him and His people. Edom's taunts and jubilant declarations concerning Israel's destruction were not unnoticed by the Almighty. This implies that all human actions and utterances have divine witnesses. God promises to repay Edom "according to his own deed" or "work," meaning the retribution will be just and directly proportional to their wickedness. This verse underscores the principle of divine justice, that actions have consequences and that God will ultimately hold accountable those who oppress or mock His covenant people. It also demonstrates God’s deep connection to His people and His land, defending them against those who show them no mercy and speak against them. The "head" signifies the entire person or nation, indicating a complete recompense for their actions.