Ezekiel 35:4-14

4 I will turn your cities into ruins, and you will become a wasteland. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

5 "'You have always been an enemy of Israel. You deserted the people of Israel in battle when they were in trouble during their final punishment.

6 That is why, as I live, declares the Almighty LORD, I will let you be murdered. Murderers will pursue you. Since you don't hate murdering people, murder will pursue you.

7 I will turn Mount Seir into a barren wasteland, and I will destroy everyone who comes or goes from there.

8 I will fill your mountains with those who have been killed. Those killed in battle will fall on your hills and in your valleys and ravines.

9 I will turn you into a permanent wasteland. Your cities will not be lived in. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

10 "'You said, "These two nations, Israel and Judah, along with their land, belong to us. We will take possession of them." But the LORD was there.

11 That is why, as I live, declares the Almighty LORD, I will do to you what you did to them. When you were angry and jealous, you acted hatefully toward them.

12 Then you will know that I, the LORD, heard all the insults that you spoke about the mountains of Israel. You said, "They have been deserted and handed over to us to use up."

13 You bragged and continually talked against me. I heard you.

14 "'This is what the Almighty LORD says: The whole earth will be glad when I turn you into a wasteland.

Ezekiel 35:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 35

This chapter is a prophecy of the destruction of Edom, which is threatened, Eze 35:1-4, the cause of it, their hatred and slaughter of the Israelites, Eze 35:5-9, their claim of the lands of Israel and Judah for possession, Eze 35:10,11, their blasphemies against the people of God, and the Lord himself, Eze 35:12,13, the aggravation of their ruin, which was irretrievable; that when it was well with others, it should go ill with them; by way of just retaliation, Eze 35:14,15.