Ezekiel 25:14
And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD.
Original Language Analysis
וְנָתַתִּ֨י
And I will lay
H5414
וְנָתַתִּ֨י
And I will lay
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֶאֱד֔וֹם
in Edom
H123
בֶאֱד֔וֹם
in Edom
Strong's:
H123
Word #:
4 of 17
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
בְּיַד֙
by the hand
H3027
בְּיַד֙
by the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
5 of 17
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
עַמִּ֣י
of my people
H5971
עַמִּ֣י
of my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
6 of 17
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְעָשׂ֣וּ
and they shall do
H6213
וְעָשׂ֣וּ
and they shall do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
8 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בֶאֱד֔וֹם
in Edom
H123
בֶאֱד֔וֹם
in Edom
Strong's:
H123
Word #:
9 of 17
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
כְּאַפִּ֖י
according to mine anger
H639
כְּאַפִּ֖י
according to mine anger
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וְכַחֲמָתִ֑י
and according to my fury
H2534
וְכַחֲמָתִ֑י
and according to my fury
Strong's:
H2534
Word #:
11 of 17
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
וְיָֽדְעוּ֙
and they shall know
H3045
וְיָֽדְעוּ֙
and they shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
12 of 17
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Isaiah 11:14But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.Genesis 27:29Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.
Historical Context
After Babylon's fall, Nabatean Arabs pushed Edomites westward into southern Judea (called Idumea in Greek). John Hyrcanus (Hasmonean ruler) conquered them, demanding circumcision and Torah observance. Edomite ethnic identity effectively ended.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you see God's sovereignty in the complex movements of history that fulfill His word?
- What does it mean that God can use even previously disciplined people as instruments of His justice?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God would execute vengeance 'by the hand of my people Israel,' fulfilled when Jewish Maccabees conquered Idumea (Edom) circa 125 BC, forcibly converting Edomites to Judaism. Ironically, Herod the Great was an Idumean, creating complex dynamics in Jesus' time. This reveals God's sovereignty in using even His disciplined people as instruments of justice.