Ezekiel 35:15
As thou didst rejoice at the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so will I do unto thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir, and all Idumea, even all of it: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
כְּשִׂמְחָ֨תְךָ֜
As thou didst rejoice
H8057
כְּשִׂמְחָ֨תְךָ֜
As thou didst rejoice
Strong's:
H8057
Word #:
1 of 21
blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
לְנַחְלַ֧ת
at the inheritance
H5159
לְנַחְלַ֧ת
at the inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
בֵּֽית
of the house
H1004
בֵּֽית
of the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
3 of 21
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עַ֥ל
H5921
עַ֥ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁמֵ֖מָה
because it was desolate
H8074
שָׁמֵ֖מָה
because it was desolate
Strong's:
H8074
Word #:
7 of 21
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
כֵּ֣ן
H3651
כֵּ֣ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
אֶעֱשֶׂה
so will I do
H6213
אֶעֱשֶׂה
so will I do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
9 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
שְׁמָמָ֨ה
unto thee thou shalt be desolate
H8077
שְׁמָמָ֨ה
unto thee thou shalt be desolate
Strong's:
H8077
Word #:
11 of 21
devastation; figuratively, astonishment
תִֽהְיֶ֤ה
H1961
תִֽהְיֶ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
12 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַר
O mount
H2022
הַר
O mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
13 of 21
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
שֵׂעִיר֙
Seir
H8165
שֵׂעִיר֙
Seir
Strong's:
H8165
Word #:
14 of 21
seir, a mountain of idumaea and its indigenous occupants, also one in palestine
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֱד֣וֹם
and all Idumea
H123
אֱד֣וֹם
and all Idumea
Strong's:
H123
Word #:
16 of 21
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
כֻּלָּ֔הּ
H3605
כֻּלָּ֔הּ
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וְיָדְע֖וּ
even all of it and they shall know
H3045
וְיָדְע֖וּ
even all of it and they shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
18 of 21
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
Cross References
Lamentations 4:21Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked.Psalms 137:7Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.Obadiah 1:15For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.Obadiah 1:12But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.
Historical Context
This passage was delivered during the Babylonian exile (c. 586-571 BCE) after Jerusalem's destruction. The exiled community grappled with theological and practical questions: Why had judgment come? Would restoration occur? How should they live in exile? The historical context of ancient Near Eastern covenant patterns, conquest and exile practices, and prophetic literature provides essential background. Archaeological discoveries from this period illuminate the exile's realities and the return's historical fulfillment. Yet Ezekiel's prophecies extend beyond immediate historical context to find fuller realization in Christ and the church, with ultimate consummation in the new creation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse deepen your understanding of God's character, purposes, or ways of working in history?
- What specific application does this passage call you to make in your current circumstances or spiritual life?
- How does this Old Testament passage illuminate New Testament teaching about Christ, salvation, or the church?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse articulates God's righteous judgment against persistent sin and rebellion. From a Reformed perspective, this demonstrates God's holiness and justice—He cannot overlook sin but must judge it. The passage shows both the necessity of judgment (God's character demands it) and its purpose (to vindicate His holiness, demonstrate sin's seriousness, and turn people from destruction). Understanding divine judgment helps us grasp gospel grace: Christ bore the judgment we deserved, satisfying God's justice while extending mercy to all who trust in Him (Romans 3:25-26). God's judgment isn't arbitrary or cruel but righteous response to covenant violation and moral rebellion.