Ezekiel 25:3
And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;
Original Language Analysis
לִבְנֵ֣י
unto the Ammonites
H1121
לִבְנֵ֣י
unto the Ammonites
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 29
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַמּ֔וֹן
H5983
שִׁמְע֖וּ
Hear
H8085
שִׁמְע֖וּ
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
4 of 29
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
דְּבַר
the word
H1697
דְּבַר
the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
5 of 29
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
כֹּה
H3541
כֹּה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
8 of 29
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יַעַן֩
H3282
יַעַן֩
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
12 of 29
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
מִקְדָּשִׁ֣י
against my sanctuary
H4720
מִקְדָּשִׁ֣י
against my sanctuary
Strong's:
H4720
Word #:
16 of 29
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum
כִֽי
H3588
כִֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נִחָ֗ל
when it was profaned
H2490
נִחָ֗ל
when it was profaned
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
18 of 29
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
21 of 29
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
22 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נָשַׁ֔מָּה
when it was desolate
H8074
נָשַׁ֔מָּה
when it was desolate
Strong's:
H8074
Word #:
23 of 29
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
בֵּ֣ית
and against the house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
and against the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
25 of 29
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
26 of 29
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
27 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Ezekiel 36:2Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the enemy hath said against you, Aha, even the ancient high places are our's in possession:Proverbs 17:5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.Ezekiel 25:6For thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel;Micah 7:8Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.
Historical Context
When Babylon destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, Ammon allied with Babylon and participated in looting. They wrongly assumed Israel's God had failed, not recognizing that judgment came from God's holiness, not weakness.
Questions for Reflection
- How should you guard against taking pleasure in others' downfall, even when they experience deserved consequences?
- What does this passage teach about the difference between God's discipline of His people and their ultimate destruction?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Ammon's sin was malicious joy at Israel's suffering—saying 'Aha!' when the sanctuary was profaned, the land desolated, and Judah exiled. This reveals the spiritual principle that mocking God's people mocks God Himself (Zechariah 2:8). Their joy at judgment showed they misunderstood God's discipline as divine abandonment rather than covenant correction.