Ezekiel · Chapter 35

Verses 1-6. Moreover, the word of the Lord, &c. — “The prophet goes on to show, that the same reason which would operate in favour of the Jews, would not operate in favour of the heathen; especially not in favour of the Jews’ relations, the Edomites: for they showed no mercy, and therefore deserved to receive none; and, because they had perpetual hatred, they were to be made a perpetual desolation.” — Obs. on Books. Set thy face against mount Seir — Mount Seir is the same with Idumea: see Deuteronomy 2:5. I will lay thy cities waste, &c. — To the same effect Jeremiah prophesied against them, Jeremiah 49:7, &c., where see the notes. Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, &c. — See note on Ezekiel 25:12. In the time that their iniquity had an end — That is, either at the time when God exercised against them the last chastisement of their iniquity; or at the time of their extreme affliction, when the anger of God was most inflamed against them. It is the greatest of all cruelties to insult the afflicted, and to add new sorrows to the unhappy: see Calmet. Therefore I will prepare thee unto blood — I will expose thee to great slaughter. Since thou hast not hated blood, &c. — Since thou hast loved cruelty, and taken delight in shedding blood, vengeance and slaughter shall pursue thee, and thou shalt fall into the hands of those that will be as eager to shed thine.

V. 2. Mount Seir-The Edomites, who inhabited it.

Verse 2. Set thy face against Mount Seir] That is, against the Edomites. This prophecy was probably delivered about the time of the preceding, and before the destruction of Idumea by Nebuchadnezzar, which took place about five years after.

Calmet supposes that two destructions of Idumea are here foretold; one by Nebuchadnezzar, and the other by the Jews after their return from their captivity.

Verses 1-6. Moreover, the word of the Lord, &c. — “The prophet goes on to show, that the same reason which would operate in favour of the Jews, would not operate in favour of the heathen; especially not in favour of the Jews’ relations, the Edomites: for they showed no mercy, and therefore deserved to receive none; and, because they had perpetual hatred, they were to be made a perpetual desolation.” — Obs. on Books. Set thy face against mount Seir — Mount Seir is the same with Idumea: see Deuteronomy 2:5. I will lay thy cities waste, &c. — To the same effect Jeremiah prophesied against them, Jeremiah 49:7, &c., where see the notes. Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, &c. — See note on Ezekiel 25:12. In the time that their iniquity had an end — That is, either at the time when God exercised against them the last chastisement of their iniquity; or at the time of their extreme affliction, when the anger of God was most inflamed against them. It is the greatest of all cruelties to insult the afflicted, and to add new sorrows to the unhappy: see Calmet. Therefore I will prepare thee unto blood — I will expose thee to great slaughter. Since thou hast not hated blood, &c. — Since thou hast loved cruelty, and taken delight in shedding blood, vengeance and slaughter shall pursue thee, and thou shalt fall into the hands of those that will be as eager to shed thine.

Verse 2. Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir; that is, Idumea. Genesis 36:9. “The Nabatheans having driven the Edomites out of their ancient habitation during the Babylonian captivity, they settled themselves in the south of Judea, where they were afterwards conquered by Hyrcanus, obliged to embrace judaism, and were incorporated with the jews.” Prideaux. Thus Esau’s remnant, being circumcised, became joint heirs of Christ with the seed of Jacob.

Verse 3. Most desolate.] Literally, “A desolation and a wilderness.”

Verses 1-6. Moreover, the word of the Lord, &c. — “The prophet goes on to show, that the same reason which would operate in favour of the Jews, would not operate in favour of the heathen; especially not in favour of the Jews’ relations, the Edomites: for they showed no mercy, and therefore deserved to receive none; and, because they had perpetual hatred, they were to be made a perpetual desolation.” — Obs. on Books. Set thy face against mount Seir — Mount Seir is the same with Idumea: see Deuteronomy 2:5. I will lay thy cities waste, &c. — To the same effect Jeremiah prophesied against them, Jeremiah 49:7, &c., where see the notes. Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, &c. — See note on Ezekiel 25:12. In the time that their iniquity had an end — That is, either at the time when God exercised against them the last chastisement of their iniquity; or at the time of their extreme affliction, when the anger of God was most inflamed against them. It is the greatest of all cruelties to insult the afflicted, and to add new sorrows to the unhappy: see Calmet. Therefore I will prepare thee unto blood — I will expose thee to great slaughter. Since thou hast not hated blood, &c. — Since thou hast loved cruelty, and taken delight in shedding blood, vengeance and slaughter shall pursue thee, and thou shalt fall into the hands of those that will be as eager to shed thine.

Verses 1-6. Moreover, the word of the Lord, &c. — “The prophet goes on to show, that the same reason which would operate in favour of the Jews, would not operate in favour of the heathen; especially not in favour of the Jews’ relations, the Edomites: for they showed no mercy, and therefore deserved to receive none; and, because they had perpetual hatred, they were to be made a perpetual desolation.” — Obs. on Books. Set thy face against mount Seir — Mount Seir is the same with Idumea: see Deuteronomy 2:5. I will lay thy cities waste, &c. — To the same effect Jeremiah prophesied against them, Jeremiah 49:7, &c., where see the notes. Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, &c. — See note on Ezekiel 25:12. In the time that their iniquity had an end — That is, either at the time when God exercised against them the last chastisement of their iniquity; or at the time of their extreme affliction, when the anger of God was most inflamed against them. It is the greatest of all cruelties to insult the afflicted, and to add new sorrows to the unhappy: see Calmet. Therefore I will prepare thee unto blood — I will expose thee to great slaughter. Since thou hast not hated blood, &c. — Since thou hast loved cruelty, and taken delight in shedding blood, vengeance and slaughter shall pursue thee, and thou shalt fall into the hands of those that will be as eager to shed thine.

V. 5. Their iniquity-When their iniquity was punished on them, which brought them to final ruin.

Verse 5. A perpetual hatred] The Edomites were the descendants of Esau; the Israelites, the descendants of Jacob. Both these were brothers; and between them there was contention even in the womb, and they lived generally in a state of enmity. Their descendants kept up the ancient feud: but the Edomites were implacable; they had not only a rooted but perpetual enmity to the Israelites, harassing and distressing them by all possible means; and they seized the opportunity, when the Israelites were most harassed by other enemies, to make inroads upon them, and cut them off wherever they found them.

To afflict the afflicted is cruel. This is scarcely of man, bad as he is. He must be possessed by the malignant spirit of the devil, when he wounds the wounded, insults over the miseries of the afflicted, and seeks opportunities to add affliction to those who are already under the rod of God.

Verses 1-6. Moreover, the word of the Lord, &c. — “The prophet goes on to show, that the same reason which would operate in favour of the Jews, would not operate in favour of the heathen; especially not in favour of the Jews’ relations, the Edomites: for they showed no mercy, and therefore deserved to receive none; and, because they had perpetual hatred, they were to be made a perpetual desolation.” — Obs. on Books. Set thy face against mount Seir — Mount Seir is the same with Idumea: see Deuteronomy 2:5. I will lay thy cities waste, &c. — To the same effect Jeremiah prophesied against them, Jeremiah 49:7, &c., where see the notes. Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, &c. — See note on Ezekiel 25:12. In the time that their iniquity had an end — That is, either at the time when God exercised against them the last chastisement of their iniquity; or at the time of their extreme affliction, when the anger of God was most inflamed against them. It is the greatest of all cruelties to insult the afflicted, and to add new sorrows to the unhappy: see Calmet. Therefore I will prepare thee unto blood — I will expose thee to great slaughter. Since thou hast not hated blood, &c. — Since thou hast loved cruelty, and taken delight in shedding blood, vengeance and slaughter shall pursue thee, and thou shalt fall into the hands of those that will be as eager to shed thine.

V. 6. And blood-Thy guilt, and my just revenge of innocent blood. Hast not hated-Thou hast loved, rather than hated, blood-shed; therefore vengeance for it follows thee.

Verse 6. Blood shall pursue thee] Thou lovest blood, and thou shalt have blood. It is said that Cyrus and two hundred thousand men were slain in an ambush by Thomyris, queen of the Scythians, and that she cut off his head, and threw it into a vessel filled with blood, with this severe sarcasm:— Satia te sanguine quem sitisti, Cyre.

“O Cyrus, now satisfy thyself with blood.”

Hence, the figure:—

“Sarcasmus, with this biting taunt doth kill:

Cyrus, thy thirst was blood, now drink thy fill.”

Verses 1-6. Moreover, the word of the Lord, &c. — “The prophet goes on to show, that the same reason which would operate in favour of the Jews, would not operate in favour of the heathen; especially not in favour of the Jews’ relations, the Edomites: for they showed no mercy, and therefore deserved to receive none; and, because they had perpetual hatred, they were to be made a perpetual desolation.” — Obs. on Books. Set thy face against mount Seir — Mount Seir is the same with Idumea: see Deuteronomy 2:5. I will lay thy cities waste, &c. — To the same effect Jeremiah prophesied against them, Jeremiah 49:7, &c., where see the notes. Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, &c. — See note on Ezekiel 25:12. In the time that their iniquity had an end — That is, either at the time when God exercised against them the last chastisement of their iniquity; or at the time of their extreme affliction, when the anger of God was most inflamed against them. It is the greatest of all cruelties to insult the afflicted, and to add new sorrows to the unhappy: see Calmet. Therefore I will prepare thee unto blood — I will expose thee to great slaughter. Since thou hast not hated blood, &c. — Since thou hast loved cruelty, and taken delight in shedding blood, vengeance and slaughter shall pursue thee, and thou shalt fall into the hands of those that will be as eager to shed thine.

V. 7. That passeth out-All travellers that go to or from Edom.

Verses 7-12. Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate — Hebrew, hmmvw hmmvl, a desolation and a desolation, or, a desolation and an astonishment, as Bishop Newton renders it, following the reading of several MSS. And cut off from it him that passeth out, &c. — No travellers shall go forward or backward in it with safety: see the margin. And thy cities shall not return — Thy cities shall not be restored to thee again. This was exactly fulfilled; for the Nabatheans having driven the Edomites out of their ancient habitations, in the time of the Babylonish captivity, they settled themselves in the southern part of Judea, where they were afterward conquered by Hyrcanus, and obliged to embrace the Jewish religion, and so became at length incorporated with that nation. — Dr. Prideaux. Because thou hast said, These two nations, &c., shall be mine — The two nations and countries here spoken of mean the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The Edomites had settled themselves in part of Judea, and hoped to have got possession both of the land of Judah and the land of Israel in time. The Ammonites had the same design, as appears from Jeremiah 49:1. Whereas, or although, the Lord was there — Was still with his ancient people, and had not yet entirely abandoned them, or withdrawn his protection from their country, and given it up to be laid waste. These Edomites, it seems, did not believe that God had placed his name in Judea, had chosen it for the place of his peculiar residence, and would never quite relinquish his property in it. Therefore I will even do according to thine anger — As thou out of anger and envy didst hurt them, so will I hurt thee. I will make myself known among them — I will make my people see that I have not quite cast them off, by the punishments I will bring upon thee on account of the evil thou hast done to them. And thou shalt know that I am the Lord — Thou shalt then be convinced that I am the sovereign Lord of all things.

Verses 7-12. Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate — Hebrew, hmmvw hmmvl, a desolation and a desolation, or, a desolation and an astonishment, as Bishop Newton renders it, following the reading of several MSS. And cut off from it him that passeth out, &c. — No travellers shall go forward or backward in it with safety: see the margin. And thy cities shall not return — Thy cities shall not be restored to thee again. This was exactly fulfilled; for the Nabatheans having driven the Edomites out of their ancient habitations, in the time of the Babylonish captivity, they settled themselves in the southern part of Judea, where they were afterward conquered by Hyrcanus, and obliged to embrace the Jewish religion, and so became at length incorporated with that nation. — Dr. Prideaux. Because thou hast said, These two nations, &c., shall be mine — The two nations and countries here spoken of mean the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The Edomites had settled themselves in part of Judea, and hoped to have got possession both of the land of Judah and the land of Israel in time. The Ammonites had the same design, as appears from Jeremiah 49:1. Whereas, or although, the Lord was there — Was still with his ancient people, and had not yet entirely abandoned them, or withdrawn his protection from their country, and given it up to be laid waste. These Edomites, it seems, did not believe that God had placed his name in Judea, had chosen it for the place of his peculiar residence, and would never quite relinquish his property in it. Therefore I will even do according to thine anger — As thou out of anger and envy didst hurt them, so will I hurt thee. I will make myself known among them — I will make my people see that I have not quite cast them off, by the punishments I will bring upon thee on account of the evil thou hast done to them. And thou shalt know that I am the Lord — Thou shalt then be convinced that I am the sovereign Lord of all things.

V. 9. Return-To their former glory.

Verse 9. Perpetual desolations] Thou shalt have perpetual desolation for thy perpetual hatred.

Verses 7-12. Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate — Hebrew, hmmvw hmmvl, a desolation and a desolation, or, a desolation and an astonishment, as Bishop Newton renders it, following the reading of several MSS. And cut off from it him that passeth out, &c. — No travellers shall go forward or backward in it with safety: see the margin. And thy cities shall not return — Thy cities shall not be restored to thee again. This was exactly fulfilled; for the Nabatheans having driven the Edomites out of their ancient habitations, in the time of the Babylonish captivity, they settled themselves in the southern part of Judea, where they were afterward conquered by Hyrcanus, and obliged to embrace the Jewish religion, and so became at length incorporated with that nation. — Dr. Prideaux. Because thou hast said, These two nations, &c., shall be mine — The two nations and countries here spoken of mean the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The Edomites had settled themselves in part of Judea, and hoped to have got possession both of the land of Judah and the land of Israel in time. The Ammonites had the same design, as appears from Jeremiah 49:1. Whereas, or although, the Lord was there — Was still with his ancient people, and had not yet entirely abandoned them, or withdrawn his protection from their country, and given it up to be laid waste. These Edomites, it seems, did not believe that God had placed his name in Judea, had chosen it for the place of his peculiar residence, and would never quite relinquish his property in it. Therefore I will even do according to thine anger — As thou out of anger and envy didst hurt them, so will I hurt thee. I will make myself known among them — I will make my people see that I have not quite cast them off, by the punishments I will bring upon thee on account of the evil thou hast done to them. And thou shalt know that I am the Lord — Thou shalt then be convinced that I am the sovereign Lord of all things.

V. 10. Though-Though God was with Israel.

Verse 10. These two nations] Israel and Judah. The Idumeans thought of conquering and possessing both; and they would have succeeded, but only the Lord was there; and this spoiled their projects, and blasted their hopes.

Verses 7-12. Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate — Hebrew, hmmvw hmmvl, a desolation and a desolation, or, a desolation and an astonishment, as Bishop Newton renders it, following the reading of several MSS. And cut off from it him that passeth out, &c. — No travellers shall go forward or backward in it with safety: see the margin. And thy cities shall not return — Thy cities shall not be restored to thee again. This was exactly fulfilled; for the Nabatheans having driven the Edomites out of their ancient habitations, in the time of the Babylonish captivity, they settled themselves in the southern part of Judea, where they were afterward conquered by Hyrcanus, and obliged to embrace the Jewish religion, and so became at length incorporated with that nation. — Dr. Prideaux. Because thou hast said, These two nations, &c., shall be mine — The two nations and countries here spoken of mean the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The Edomites had settled themselves in part of Judea, and hoped to have got possession both of the land of Judah and the land of Israel in time. The Ammonites had the same design, as appears from Jeremiah 49:1. Whereas, or although, the Lord was there — Was still with his ancient people, and had not yet entirely abandoned them, or withdrawn his protection from their country, and given it up to be laid waste. These Edomites, it seems, did not believe that God had placed his name in Judea, had chosen it for the place of his peculiar residence, and would never quite relinquish his property in it. Therefore I will even do according to thine anger — As thou out of anger and envy didst hurt them, so will I hurt thee. I will make myself known among them — I will make my people see that I have not quite cast them off, by the punishments I will bring upon thee on account of the evil thou hast done to them. And thou shalt know that I am the Lord — Thou shalt then be convinced that I am the sovereign Lord of all things.

V. 11. Judged-Punished thee.

Verses 7-12. Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate — Hebrew, hmmvw hmmvl, a desolation and a desolation, or, a desolation and an astonishment, as Bishop Newton renders it, following the reading of several MSS. And cut off from it him that passeth out, &c. — No travellers shall go forward or backward in it with safety: see the margin. And thy cities shall not return — Thy cities shall not be restored to thee again. This was exactly fulfilled; for the Nabatheans having driven the Edomites out of their ancient habitations, in the time of the Babylonish captivity, they settled themselves in the southern part of Judea, where they were afterward conquered by Hyrcanus, and obliged to embrace the Jewish religion, and so became at length incorporated with that nation. — Dr. Prideaux. Because thou hast said, These two nations, &c., shall be mine — The two nations and countries here spoken of mean the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The Edomites had settled themselves in part of Judea, and hoped to have got possession both of the land of Judah and the land of Israel in time. The Ammonites had the same design, as appears from Jeremiah 49:1. Whereas, or although, the Lord was there — Was still with his ancient people, and had not yet entirely abandoned them, or withdrawn his protection from their country, and given it up to be laid waste. These Edomites, it seems, did not believe that God had placed his name in Judea, had chosen it for the place of his peculiar residence, and would never quite relinquish his property in it. Therefore I will even do according to thine anger — As thou out of anger and envy didst hurt them, so will I hurt thee. I will make myself known among them — I will make my people see that I have not quite cast them off, by the punishments I will bring upon thee on account of the evil thou hast done to them. And thou shalt know that I am the Lord — Thou shalt then be convinced that I am the sovereign Lord of all things.

Verse 12. They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume.] They exulted in seeing Judea overrun; and they rejoiced in the prospect of completing the ruin, when the Chaldeans had withdrawn from the land.

Verses 7-12. Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate — Hebrew, hmmvw hmmvl, a desolation and a desolation, or, a desolation and an astonishment, as Bishop Newton renders it, following the reading of several MSS. And cut off from it him that passeth out, &c. — No travellers shall go forward or backward in it with safety: see the margin. And thy cities shall not return — Thy cities shall not be restored to thee again. This was exactly fulfilled; for the Nabatheans having driven the Edomites out of their ancient habitations, in the time of the Babylonish captivity, they settled themselves in the southern part of Judea, where they were afterward conquered by Hyrcanus, and obliged to embrace the Jewish religion, and so became at length incorporated with that nation. — Dr. Prideaux. Because thou hast said, These two nations, &c., shall be mine — The two nations and countries here spoken of mean the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The Edomites had settled themselves in part of Judea, and hoped to have got possession both of the land of Judah and the land of Israel in time. The Ammonites had the same design, as appears from Jeremiah 49:1. Whereas, or although, the Lord was there — Was still with his ancient people, and had not yet entirely abandoned them, or withdrawn his protection from their country, and given it up to be laid waste. These Edomites, it seems, did not believe that God had placed his name in Judea, had chosen it for the place of his peculiar residence, and would never quite relinquish his property in it. Therefore I will even do according to thine anger — As thou out of anger and envy didst hurt them, so will I hurt thee. I will make myself known among them — I will make my people see that I have not quite cast them off, by the punishments I will bring upon thee on account of the evil thou hast done to them. And thou shalt know that I am the Lord — Thou shalt then be convinced that I am the sovereign Lord of all things.

Verse 13. Thus with your mouth ye have boasted ayainst me] Ye have said you would enter into those lands, and take them for your inheritance; though ye knew that God had promised them to the Israelites, and that you should never have them for your portion.

Verses 13-15. With your mouth ye have boasted against me — As if I were not able to make good my promises toward my people, or to assert my right in Judea. When the whole earth rejoiceth, I will make thee desolate — When I shall restore other countries, conquered by the king of Babylon, to their former prosperity, thou shalt still lie waste and desolate. The Edomites never recovered their country after the Nabatheans had expelled them out of it. Thou shalt be desolate, all Idumea — The expression is like that of Isaiah, whole Palestina, Isaiah 14:29; that is, all the several tribes and divisions of it. We learn from Psalm 137:7, that the Edomites exulted greatly at the fall of Jerusalem, and gave all the encouragement they could to its destroyers. The punishments inflicted on them may teach us that God is displeased with and punishes those who have no pity on the miserable, and who take pleasure in doing evil to others.

V. 14. The whole earth-The inhabitants of all the countries round about thee. Rejoiceth-Is in peace and plenty.

Verse 14. When the whole earth rejoiceth] When the whole land shall rejoice in the restoration of the Jews, I will make thee desolate. Probably this refers to the time of the Maccabees.

Verses 13-15. With your mouth ye have boasted against me — As if I were not able to make good my promises toward my people, or to assert my right in Judea. When the whole earth rejoiceth, I will make thee desolate — When I shall restore other countries, conquered by the king of Babylon, to their former prosperity, thou shalt still lie waste and desolate. The Edomites never recovered their country after the Nabatheans had expelled them out of it. Thou shalt be desolate, all Idumea — The expression is like that of Isaiah, whole Palestina, Isaiah 14:29; that is, all the several tribes and divisions of it. We learn from Psalm 137:7, that the Edomites exulted greatly at the fall of Jerusalem, and gave all the encouragement they could to its destroyers. The punishments inflicted on them may teach us that God is displeased with and punishes those who have no pity on the miserable, and who take pleasure in doing evil to others.

Ver. 14. When the whole earth rejoiceth, I will make thee desolate. Cyrus restored many nations, besides the jews, but Edom remained desolate, or was inhabited by strangers. Thus the Lord prepared blood for Esau’s race, and blood pursued them. Thus also the Lord loved Jacob, and hated Esau, because Esau hated not blood, as in the sixth verse. Thus the elder literally served the younger in his posterity, when his mountains were laid waste for the dragons of the wilderness, by successive invasions. It is allowed that God does more for one man and for one nation, than for another; and that he preferred Jacob to Esau by his sovereign pleasure; but what impartial man can view Esau’s diminished race, now circumcised and incorporated with the jews by Hyrcanus, who was both highpriest and prince, and coolly affirm that God has predestinated any man to eternal death? See Reflections on Jeremiah 49.

Verse 15. So will I do unto thee] Others shall rejoice in thy downfall as thou hast rejoiced at their downfall.

This whole chapter strongly inculcates this maxim: Do as thou wouldst be done by; and what thou wouldst not have done to thee, do not to others. And from it we learn that every man may, in some sort, be said to make his own temporal good or evil; for as he does to others, God will take care to do to him, whether it be evil or good, weal or wo. Would you not be slandered or backbitten? Then do not slander nor backbite. Wouldst thou wish to live in peace? Then do not disturb the peace of others. Be merciful, and thou shalt obtain mercy.

EZEKIEL

Verses 13-15. With your mouth ye have boasted against me — As if I were not able to make good my promises toward my people, or to assert my right in Judea. When the whole earth rejoiceth, I will make thee desolate — When I shall restore other countries, conquered by the king of Babylon, to their former prosperity, thou shalt still lie waste and desolate. The Edomites never recovered their country after the Nabatheans had expelled them out of it. Thou shalt be desolate, all Idumea — The expression is like that of Isaiah, whole Palestina, Isaiah 14:29; that is, all the several tribes and divisions of it. We learn from Psalm 137:7, that the Edomites exulted greatly at the fall of Jerusalem, and gave all the encouragement they could to its destroyers. The punishments inflicted on them may teach us that God is displeased with and punishes those who have no pity on the miserable, and who take pleasure in doing evil to others.