Ezekiel 35 3

Ezekiel 35:3 kjv

And say unto it, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O mount Seir, I am against thee, and I will stretch out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate.

Ezekiel 35:3 nkjv

and say to it, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, O Mount Seir, I am against you; I will stretch out My hand against you, And make you most desolate;

Ezekiel 35:3 niv

and say: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will stretch out my hand against you and make you a desolate waste.

Ezekiel 35:3 esv

and say to it, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will stretch out my hand against you, and I will make you a desolation and a waste.

Ezekiel 35:3 nlt

Give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: "I am your enemy, O Mount Seir,
and I will raise my fist against you
to destroy you completely.

Ezekiel 35 verses

Ezekiel 35 3 meaning

Ezekiel 35:3 declares God's direct and imminent judgment upon Mount Seir, personifying Edom. It reveals the Lord GOD's clear opposition to this nation, promising to execute powerful action that will reduce them to a state of utter desolation and waste. This severe decree is a direct consequence of Edom's long-standing animosity towards God's people, reflecting divine justice and the ultimate sovereignty of God over all nations.

Ezekiel 35 3 Context

Ezekiel 35 initiates a new cycle of prophecy focusing on judgment before the subsequent promises of restoration for Israel (chapters 36-37). Chapters 33-34 condemned the unfaithful shepherds of Israel and announced a coming judgment upon them before introducing the "true shepherd" (Messiah). Chapter 35, however, shifts the focus from Israel to one of its most persistent and bitter enemies: Edom, also known as Mount Seir. This serves as a significant precursor to the prophecies of Israel's restoration. God's judgment on Edom assures Israel that their oppressors will not go unpunished, reinforcing God's justice and sovereignty, thus creating hope for the covenant people.

Historically and culturally, Edom (Mount Seir) were the descendants of Esau, Jacob's twin brother. Their land was south-east of Judah. Despite their familial connection, a history of deep-seated animosity marked their relationship with Israel. Edom repeatedly demonstrated cruelty, refusing Israel passage during the Exodus (Num 20), and most egregiously, actively aiding, or at least gloating over, Jerusalem's destruction by Babylon (Ps 137:7, Oba 1:10-14). This "perpetual enmity" (Eze 35:5) fueled by envy and a desire for Israel's land, constitutes the background for God's severe pronouncement in Ezekiel 35. This chapter thus highlights a divine polemic against those nations that oppose God's purposes for His chosen people, showcasing that such opposition incurs divine wrath.

Ezekiel 35 3 Word analysis

• and say to it, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: This is a standard prophetic formula (כֹּה אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, koh amar Adonai Yehovih). It establishes the divine authority of the message. The prophet is merely the messenger, ensuring the words are not human but God's direct declaration. The double name, "Lord GOD," emphasizes God's sovereign mastership and His covenant relationship, highlighting that the Judge is the ultimate authority.

• Behold, O Mount Seir: (הַר שֵׂעִיר, Har Se'ir) "Behold" (הִנֵּה, hinneh) draws immediate attention to the addressee and the gravity of the impending declaration. "Mount Seir" is the geographical and ethnic designation for Edom, descendants of Esau. It is used here not just as a location but as a metonymy for the entire Edomite nation, personified to receive direct address. This reflects God's specific targeting of this persistent enemy of His people.

• I am against you,: (אֵלַיִךְ אֲנִי, elayikh ani) This phrase translates literally to "towards you, I." The placement of "I" (אֲנִי, ani) emphasizes the personal, direct involvement and resolve of God Himself. It is not an abstract force or secondary agent, but the LORD GOD who stands in direct opposition. This is a powerful declaration of divine hostility, indicating that the Creator of the universe is confronting this specific entity, Edom.

• and I will stretch out My hand against you,: (אֶמְשֹׁל יָדִי עָלַיִךְ, 'emšol yādī ‘alāyikh) "Stretch out My hand" is a frequently used anthropomorphic idiom for God's decisive, powerful, and often overwhelming intervention. It signifies the exertion of divine power, often in judgment (as here) or sometimes in salvation (as in the Exodus). The Hebrew word here can imply not just stretching out but also exercising rule or dominion. Against Edom, it means God will directly apply His power to bring about destruction.

• and make you a desolation and a waste.: (וְשִׂמְתִּיךָ שְׁמָמָה וּמְשַׁמָּה, w'śimtikha shmāmāh u-m'shāmāh) This is an emphatic Hebrew parallelism. "Desolation" (שְׁמָמָה, shmāmāh) implies an empty, uninhabited, ruined state. "Waste" (וּמְשַׁמָּה, u-m'shāmāh) intensifies this, often denoting a complete, uninhabitable wilderness, expressing utter and irreparable ruin. This dual phrasing conveys that the judgment will be absolute, rendering the land uninhabitable and its prosperity eradicated, reflecting the totality of God's wrath.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Thus says the Lord GOD... I am against you": This pairing demonstrates God's unquestionable authority (thus says the Lord GOD) directly leading to a declaration of personal divine antagonism (I am against you). It emphasizes that Edom's adversary is none other than the Creator and covenant God, a truly formidable and unavoidable opposition.
  • "I will stretch out My hand against you, and make you a a desolation and a waste": The active divine power (stretch out My hand) is directly linked to the comprehensive outcome of judgment (make you a desolation and a waste). This highlights God as the active agent and the complete, definitive nature of the judgment to be inflicted upon Mount Seir. It assures that God's intent will be fully realized.

Ezekiel 35 3 Bonus section

The consistent use of "Mount Seir" throughout Ezekiel 35, rather than simply "Edom," carries symbolic weight. Mount Seir was not just their territory; it was their very identity, representing their perceived strength and security from their mountainous terrain. God targeting "Mount Seir" directly challenges the Edomites' trust in their natural defenses and their historical claim to a secure land. It also stands in contrast to the "mountains of Israel" which, despite suffering desolation, would be restored (Eze 36). Thus, Edom’s desolation on their symbolic mountains serves as a strong counterpoint to Israel's future flourishing, underscoring the irreversible difference between those aligned against God and those who are His covenant people, even in judgment.

Ezekiel 35 3 Commentary

Ezekiel 35:3 encapsulates the severe and unreserved divine judgment against Edom. God’s direct declaration, "I am against you," is a profoundly ominous statement, indicating that Edom's true adversary is not merely Israel, but the God who champions Israel. The stretching out of God’s hand is a definitive action, not merely a threat, ensuring the prophecy's fulfillment through His omnipotent power. The repeated imagery of "desolation and waste" underscores the totality of this destruction, leaving no hope for restoration or survival for the nation that maliciously rejoiced in Israel's downfall. This judgment serves to validate God’s righteousness and covenant faithfulness, demonstrating that He protects His people and avenges the injustices committed against them, ultimately establishing His sovereignty over history and nations.