Ezekiel Chapter 35 — Judgment Against Mount Seir
The Lord commands Ezekiel to prophesy against Mount Seir and the nation of Edom due to their historic hostility toward Israel. God promises to make their land a desolation as a consequence of their actions.
1Moreover the LORD’s word came to me, saying,
2“Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir, and prophesy against it,
3and tell it, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Behold, I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will stretch out my hand against you. I will make you a desolation and an astonishment.
4I will lay your cities waste, and you will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
5“ ‘ “Because you have had a perpetual hostility, and have given over the children of Israel to the power of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time of the iniquity of the end,
6therefore, as I live,” says the Lord GOD, “I will prepare you for blood, and blood will pursue you. Since you have not hated blood, therefore blood will pursue you.
7Thus I will make Mount Seir an astonishment and a desolation. I will cut off from it him who passes through and him who returns.
8I will fill its mountains with its slain. The slain with the sword will fall in your hills and in your valleys and in all your watercourses.
9I will make you a perpetual desolation, and your cities will not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
10“ ‘ “Because you have said, ‘These two nations and these two countries will be mine, and we will possess it,’ although the LORD was there,
11therefore, as I live,” says the Lord GOD, “I will do according to your anger, and according to your envy which you have shown out of your hatred against them; and I will make myself known among them when I judge you.
12You will know that I, the LORD, have heard all your insults which you have spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, ‘They have been laid desolate. They have been given to us to devour.’
13You have magnified yourselves against me with your mouth, and have multiplied your words against me. I have heard it.”
14The Lord GOD says: “When the whole earth rejoices, I will make you desolate.
15As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel because it was desolate, so I will do to you. You will be desolate, Mount Seir, and all Edom, even all of it. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’ ”
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Ezekiel 35:5
“Because you have had a perpetual hostility, and have given over the children of Israel to the power of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time of the iniquity of the end”
It identifies the specific historical reason for the judgment: Edom's long-standing hatred and opportunistic violence against Israel.
Ezekiel 35:10
“Because you have said, ‘These two nations and these two countries will be mine, and we will possess it,’ although the LORD was there”
It highlights Edom's attempt to claim Israel's land for themselves, failing to recognize God's ongoing presence and claim to the territory.
Ezekiel 35:15
“As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel because it was desolate, so I will do to you.”
This verse establishes the principle of reciprocal justice, where Edom faces the same desolation they celebrated when it happened to Israel.
Chapter Summary
Ezekiel Chapter 35 focuses on a divine prophecy directed at Mount Seir, which represents the nation of Edom. The Lord expresses His opposition to the region, promising to stretch out His hand and transform their cities into wastes and desolations. This judgment is rooted in Edom's perpetual hostility and their betrayal of the Israelites during times of calamity and war. Specifically, Edom sought to seize the lands of Israel and Judah while the inhabitants were suffering, ignoring the fact that the Lord was present there. Because they rejoiced over Israel's downfall and spoke insults against the mountains of Israel, God declares that Edom will face the same fate. The prophecy concludes by stating that while the rest of the earth rejoices, Mount Seir will remain desolate, serving as a testimony to God's justice and sovereignty over the nations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mount Seir is the mountainous region inhabited by the Edomites, who were the descendants of Esau. In this chapter, it serves as a representative name for the entire nation of Edom.
The text states God was against Edom because of their perpetual hostility toward Israel and for handing them over to the sword during their time of calamity. They also attempted to seize Israeli territory while mocking the desolation of the land.
It refers to a permanent state of ruin and lack of inhabitants for the cities of Edom. This judgment was intended to show the Edomites that the Lord is the true God who hears their insults and judges their actions accordingly.
Study Note
The phrase 'although the LORD was there' in verse 10 emphasizes that despite Israel's exile, God had not abandoned His claim to the land or His people.
Related Chapters
Obadiah 1
The entire book of Obadiah is a parallel prophecy concerning the judgment of Edom for their treatment of Israel.
Genesis 36
This chapter provides the genealogical background of the descendants of Esau who inhabited Mount Seir.
Ezekiel 36
The following chapter contrasts the desolation of Edom with the restoration and blessing promised to the mountains of Israel.
Continue in the App
Get the full experience — immersive audio, instant explanations, highlights, notes, and reading plans.