Ezekiel 35 5

Ezekiel 35:5 kjv

Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time that their iniquity had an end:

Ezekiel 35:5 nkjv

"Because you have had an ancient hatred, and have shed the blood of the children of Israel by the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, when their iniquity came to an end,

Ezekiel 35:5 niv

"?'Because you harbored an ancient hostility and delivered the Israelites over to the sword at the time of their calamity, the time their punishment reached its climax,

Ezekiel 35:5 esv

Because you cherished perpetual enmity and gave over the people of Israel to the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, at the time of their final punishment,

Ezekiel 35:5 nlt

"Your eternal hatred for the people of Israel led you to butcher them when they were helpless, when I had already punished them for all their sins.

Ezekiel 35 verses

Ezekiel 35 5 Meaning

This verse declares God's eternal judgment upon Mount Seir for its perpetual hatred and violent actions against Israel. God will utterly destroy Mount Seir (representing Esau/Edom) as a consequence of their animosity and bloodshed towards His chosen people.

Ezekiel 35 5 Context

This verse is part of Ezekiel's prophecy concerning the judgment of Mount Seir, which symbolizes the nation of Edom, descendants of Esau. The surrounding chapters (33-37) focus on Israel's restoration, while chapters 35-36 directly address God's retribution against Edom for their historical and persistent enmity towards Israel. Edom had taken advantage of Judah's downfall, actively participating in the destruction of Jerusalem and mistreating fleeing Israelites. Ezekiel 35 specifically details the accusations against Mount Seir, and verse 5 elaborates on the basis of God's impending judgment: their deep-seated hatred and their verbal insults and gloating over Israel's desolation. This prophecy reflects the long-standing animosity between the descendants of Jacob and Esau, which is traced back to the womb (Gen 25:23).

Ezekiel 35 5 Word Analysis

• וְיָדַ֣עַתָּ (və·yā·ḏa‘·tā): "and you shall know." From the root ידע (yada), meaning "to know," "to understand," or "to recognize." It emphasizes a conclusive recognition or realization of God's actions and justice.
• וְשִׂמְחַ֤ת (wə·śim·ḥaṯ): "and the rejoicing." From the root שמח (samach), meaning "to be glad," "to rejoice," "to be happy." This points to Edom's malicious pleasure in Israel's suffering.
• לִבְּךָ (lib·bə·ḵā): "your heart." Refers to the inner core of a person, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and intentions. Here it signifies their malicious intent and satisfaction.
• בְּצָרָתָ֤ם (bə·ṣā·rā·ṯām): "in their distress." From צרה (tsarah), meaning "distress," "trouble," "adversity." This highlights the specific condition of Israel that Edom exploited.
• וּבְהִתְפָּ֣רְקָ֔ם (ū·ḇə·hiṯ·pər·qām): "and because they were disjointed/dispersed." Derived from פרק (parak), potentially related to breaking apart or scattering. It underscores the vulnerability of Israel during their exile.
• וּבְהִתְגַּדְּלֶ֖ךָ (ū·ḇə·hiṯ·ga·ḏel·ḵā): "and because you were lifted up." From גדל (gadol), meaning "great" or "large," but in this Hithpael conjugation, it implies self-exaltation or boasting. Edom was arrogant due to Israel's downfall.
• בְּיוֹם־אָשְׁמָתָ֖ם (bə·yōm-’ā·šə·mā·ṯām): "in the day of their iniquity." From אשמה (ashmah), meaning "guilt," "iniquity," or "trespass." This refers to the day when Israel's sin would be punished, which Edom unfortunately marked by their own sin.
• וְלֹ֤א (wə·lō): "and you did not." A strong negation.
• תִּזְכֹּר (tiz·kōr): "remember." From זכר (zakhar), to recall, to bring to mind. This implies a failure to acknowledge God's covenantal faithfulness or a deliberate turning away from proper consideration of Israel's identity as God's people.
• עַל־עַמִּ֗י (‘al-‘am·mî): "against my people." Directly identifies Israel as "my people," emphasizing God's personal possession and covenantal relationship.
• וְגַם־הֶחֱזֵ֖יתָ (wə·gam-he·ḥĕ·ze·ṯā): "and you even looked on." From חזה (chazah), "to see," "to behold," "to look upon." It implies a keen, even eager, observation of Israel's downfall.
• בְּנַחֲלָתָ֔ם (bə·na·ḥă·lā·ṯām): "at their inheritance." Refers to the land of Israel, God's allocated portion for His people.
• בִּהְיֹתָ֖הּ (bih·yo·ṯāh): "when it was." Indicating the condition of the inheritance.
• מְחֻלֶּ֑לֶת (mə·ḥul·la·leṯ): "desecrated," "profaned." From חלל (chalal), meaning "to desecrate," "to defile," "to profane." This highlights the violation of the holy land through Edom's presence or actions.
• מְשַׂמְּחִ֣ים (mə·śam·me·ḥîm): "making yourselves joyful" or "rejoicing." Parallel to 'smach', but in active participle, indicating their continuous practice of joy over Israel's ruin.
• בְּהַבְלֵי־לֵב: (bə·hav·lê-lev): "with vanities of heart" or "with vain hearts." Refers to foolishness, emptiness, or worthless things. It shows the hollowness of their glee.

Ezekiel 35 5 Bonus Section

The condemnation of Edom in Ezekiel 35 is a strong illustration of how the actions taken against God's people are seen as direct opposition to God Himself. The historical animosity between Esau and Jacob, prophesied even before their birth, finds its severe consequence here. The profaning of the inheritance, specifically the land of Israel, is a recurring theme that elicits divine wrath. This passage resonates with other prophetic condemnations, such as those in Obadiah and Isaiah, which detail Edom's pride and cruelty, promising a fitting retribution for their actions against Judah during its time of crisis. The language used ("my fire is kindled") speaks of divine wrath, a judgment that is both fierce and final.

Ezekiel 35 5 Commentary

Ezekiel 35:5 serves as a direct indictment against Mount Seir (Edom). God states He knows their malice. Edom's joy stemmed from Israel's distress and their perceived finality of downfall. The term "disjointed" or "dispersed" points to the exilic condition of Israel, which Edom cruelly exploited. Their own sense of superiority ("you were lifted up") was amplified in "the day of their iniquity," that is, the day of Israel's judgment, where Edom actively participated in mistreatment. This act showed a disregard for God's chosen people and the land he consecrated. The desecration of Israel's inheritance and Edom's rejoicing in it are profound provocations against the Lord, who cherishes His people and His land. God's response will be proportionate to their animosity, a cleansing of His land from their presence.