Ezekiel 35:6 kjv
Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: sith thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee.
Ezekiel 35:6 nkjv
therefore, as I live," says the Lord GOD, "I will prepare you for blood, and blood shall pursue you; since you have not hated blood, therefore blood shall pursue you.
Ezekiel 35:6 niv
therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I will give you over to bloodshed and it will pursue you. Since you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you.
Ezekiel 35:6 esv
therefore, as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will prepare you for blood, and blood shall pursue you; because you did not hate bloodshed, therefore blood shall pursue you.
Ezekiel 35:6 nlt
As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, since you show no distaste for blood, I will give you a bloodbath of your own. Your turn has come!
Ezekiel 35 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezek 35:5 | Because you harbored an ancient hostility and gave your sons to the sword... | Ancient enmity, cruelty |
| Ps 137:7 | Remember, Lord, what the Edomites did... "Raze it! Raze it to its foundations!" | Edom's vindictive spirit |
| Lam 4:21 | Rejoice and be glad, daughter of Edom, you who live in the land of Uz... | Edom's rejoicing in Israel's ruin |
| Jer 49:14-16 | I have heard a message from the Lord: An envoy is sent to the nations to say, "Gather together and come against her..." | Edom's downfall prophesied |
| Obadiah 10-14 | Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame... | Violence against Jacob |
| Obadiah 15 | The day of the Lord is near for all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you... | Retribution for actions |
| Matt 7:2 | For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. | Principle of recompense |
| Gen 27:41 | Esau held a grudge against Jacob... | Esau's enduring resentment |
| Isa 11:14 | They will swoop down on the western slopes of Philistia, and together plunder the people of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will obey them. | Future subjugation of Edom |
| Jer 51:34-35 | Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has devoured and crushed me... He has hounded me like a lion. | Babylon's cruelty to Judah echoes Edom's cruelty |
| Eze 25:12-14 | This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah... I will stretch out my hand against Edom and kill its men and its animals." | Divine judgment on Edom's vengeance |
| Ps 109:17 | He cursed others, may he be cursed! He never blessed others; may he be far from a blessing! | Edom's curse as an example |
| Rom 12:19 | Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave revenge to God's righteous judgment. | Vengeance belongs to God |
| 1 Sam 15:2-3 | This is what the Lord Almighty says: "I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up out of Egypt." | Historical precedent of divine judgment for cruelty |
| Exo 17:8-16 | The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. | Amalekite attack |
| Deut 25:17-19 | Remember what the Amalekites did to you when you were weary and worn out... never forget. | Remembering Amalek's treachery |
| Jer 30:10-11 | "So do not be afraid, Jacob my servant," declares the Lord, "do not be dismayed, Israel, for I will rescue you from far away and your descendants from the land of their captivity. Jacob will again have peace and security..." | God's ultimate restoration of Israel |
| Amos 1:11 | This is what the Lord says: "For three sins of Edom, even for four, I will not relent..." | Accumulation of Edom's sins |
| Psa 37:12-13 | The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at them, for he knows that their day is coming. | God's perspective on wicked schemes |
| Isa 47:8-9 | "Now then, listen, you wantons, you people of the capital, who live in confidence... But these two things will overtake you in a moment, on a single day: loss of children and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure..." | Judgment on complacent wickedness |
Ezekiel 35 verses
Ezekiel 35 6 Meaning
This verse condemns the violent and destructive actions of Edom against Israel, particularly the rejoicing over their downfall and the eagerness to participate in their destruction. It highlights Edom's hatred and bloodlust towards their kin, signifying divine judgment for their cruelty.
Ezekiel 35 6 Context
Chapter 35 of Ezekiel prophesies against Mount Seir, which represents Edom, for their ancient hostility and exultation over the destruction of Jerusalem and the people of Judah. Following the devastation of Judah by Babylon, Edom failed to offer comfort or assistance, instead taking advantage of their weakened state and engaging in violent acts. This verse specifically addresses Edom's gloating and complicity in the suffering of their kin, declaring that such actions will bring divine retribution upon Edom. The prophecy is set against the backdrop of Israel's exile and impending restoration, with Edom's judgment serving as a demonstration of God's faithfulness to His covenant people and His justice against those who oppose them.
Ezekiel 35 6 Word Analysis
- And (וְ - wə) - A conjunctive particle, typically meaning "and," but also indicating sequence, consequence, or contrast.
- you have (הָיְתָה - hōy'ṯâ, "it was") - Refers to Edom's existing state or the nature of their actions.
- put your brother (אָחִיךָ - ʾăḥîḵā, "your brother") - Emphasizes the familial relationship between Edom (descendants of Esau) and Israel (descendants of Jacob), highlighting the betrayal of kinship.
- to the sword (לַחֶרֶב - laḥe'reb) - Signifies violent destruction, slaughter, and death. The sword was a primary weapon of warfare and execution.
- and (וְ - wə) - Connects the previous action with the following one.
- caused your grief (בִּלְעוּקִים - bilʻūqîm, literally "in swallowings" or "gaping mouths") - This is a vivid and impactful word. It conveys the idea of devouring or swallowing with open mouths, representing ravenous destruction and possibly the malicious consumption of their suffering. It suggests Edom feasted on their pain and annihilation. It's a powerful imagery of consuming destruction, perhaps even savoring it.
- and (וְ - wə) - Again, a conjunction.
- your land (אֶרֶצְךָ - ʾe'reṣəḵā, "your land") - Refers to Edom's territory, Mount Seir.
- should have (הֱיוֹת - hēywôṯ, "to be" or "to have been") - Indicates what Edom's behavior should have been, contrasting it with their actual actions.
- become desolate (שָׁמָה - šômāh) - A state of emptiness, ruin, and devastation.
Words Group Analysis
- "you have put your brother to the sword": This phrase denotes Edom's active participation in the destruction and killing of their kinsmen. It's a direct accusation of complicity in violence.
- "and caused your grief by devouring": The imagery here is potent. Edom didn't just watch; they actively "devoured" the grief, signifying a malicious and greedy consumption of Israel's suffering. The Hebrew word bil'ūqîm implies a ravenous, almost insatiable hunger for destruction and pain.
- "and your land should have become desolate": This points to Edom's sin of seizing or benefiting from Judah's desolation. Their land prospered or their desire was for their brother's land to be utterly ruined, which contrasts with what their own fate would be, signifying their sin of benefiting from another's downfall.
Ezekiel 35 6 Bonus Section
The use of the Hebrew word bil'ūqîm is particularly striking. It appears only here in this context in the Hebrew Bible. Its root suggests "swallowing" or "devouring," and in this prophetic context, it conveys an almost rapacious appetite for destruction and a greedy consumption of Israel's pain. It's not just indifference or casual observation of their suffering, but an active, ravenous feeding on their misery. This imagery underscores the intense malice and hatred that Edom harbored, leading to severe divine judgment. The verse contrasts Edom's wicked actions with what their land "should have been" – possibly referring to a natural state of order or peace that their malevolent actions have now corrupted and will ultimately lead to their own ruin. This emphasizes a lost potential for a different, more righteous existence for Edom, which they squandered through their cruelty.
Ezekiel 35 6 Commentary
Ezekiel 35:5 declares Edom's active role in Israel's demise, not merely as observers but as participants in their violent downfall. The phrasing "put your brother to the sword" speaks to a direct involvement in their slaughter, a heinous act given their shared lineage through Abraham. The phrase "caused your grief by devouring" (or "by swallowing with open mouths" from bil'ūqîm) paints a grim picture of Edom relishing Israel's agony, like a predator consuming its prey. This goes beyond simple schadenfreude; it suggests a active enjoyment and a hungry participation in their suffering. Their land's potential desolation implies a consequence or an unfulfilled desire for total ruin for their brother, which is then turned back upon them as divine judgment. The verse thus underscores the severity of familial betrayal and the cruelty of rejoicing in a sibling's affliction. It is a powerful condemnation of those who capitalize on the misfortune of others, particularly when those others are kin. This principle of retribution resonates throughout scripture: what you do to others, especially in acts of cruelty and betrayal, will ultimately be meted out to you.