Ezekiel 35

Ezekiel 35:1-15 . JUDGMENT ON EDOM.

Another feature of Israel's prosperity; those who exulted over Israel's humiliation, shall themselves be a "prey." Already stated in Ezekiel 25:12-14 ; properly repeated here in full detail, as a commentary on Ezekiel 34:28 . The Israelites "shall be no more a prey"; but Edom, the type of their most bitter foes, shall be destroyed irrecoverably.

2. Mount Seir--that is, Idumea ( Genesis 36:9 ). Singled out as badly pre-eminent in its bitterness against God's people, to represent all their enemies everywhere and in all ages. So in Isaiah 34:5 , 63:1-4 , Edom, the region of the greatest enmity towards God's people, is the ideal scene of the final judgments of all God's foes. "Seir" means "shaggy," alluding to its rugged hills and forests.

3. most desolate--literally, "desolation and desolateness" ( Jeremiah 49:17 , &c.). It is only in their national character of foes to God's people, that the Edomites are to be utterly destroyed. A remnant of Edom, as of the other heathen, is to be "called by the name of God" ( Amos 9:12 ).

5. perpetual hatred--( Psalms 137:7 Amos 1:11 Obadiah 1:10-16 ). Edom perpetuated the hereditary hatred derived from Esau against Jacob.
shed the blood of, &c.--The literal translation is better. "Thou hast poured out the children of Israel"; namely, like water. So Psalms 22:14 , 63:10 , Margin; Jeremiah 18:21 . Compare 2 Samuel 14:14 .
by the force of the sword--literally, "by" or "upon the hands of the sword"; the sword being personified as a devourer whose "hands" were the instruments of destruction.
in the time that their iniquity had an end--that is, had its consummation ( Ezekiel 21:25 Ezekiel 21:29 ). Edom consummated his guilt when he exulted over Jerusalem's downfall, and helped the foe to destroy it ( Psalms 137:7 , Obadiah 1:11 ).

6. I will prepare thee unto blood--I will expose thee to slaughter.
sith--old English for "seeing that" or "since."
thou hast not hated blood--The Hebrew order is, "thou hast hated not blood"; that is, thou couldst not bear to live without bloodshed [GROTIUS]. There is a play on similar sounds in the Hebrew; Edom resembling dam, the Hebrew for "blood"; as "Edom" means "red," the transition to "blood" is easy. Edom, akin to blood in name, so also in nature and acts; "blood therefore shall pursue thee." The measure which Edom meted to others should be meted to himself ( Psalms 109:17 , Matthew 7:2 , 26:52 ).

7. cut off . . . him that passeth--that is, every passer to and fro; "the highways shall be unoccupied" ( Ezekiel 29:11 , Judges 5:6 ).

9. shall not return--to their former state ( Ezekiel 16:55 ); shall not be restored. The Hebrew text (Chetib) reads, "shall not be inhabited" (compare Ezekiel 26:20 , Malachi 1:3 Malachi 1:4 ).