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Ezekiel 35

15 verses

TL;DR

Ezekiel delivers a judgmental prophecy against Mount Seir (Edom), declaring its impending desolation due to its historic hatred and violence against Israel.

Summary

Ezekiel 35 opens with a divine directive for the prophet to confront Mount Seir, the personified nation of Edom, with a prophetic declaration of judgment. God proclaims that Seir will be made desolate, its cities destroyed, and its people slain, as punishment for their long-standing hatred and bloodshed against Israel during Israel's affliction. The text emphasizes that even though Seir despised blood, God will use blood to punish them. The prophecy warns that Seir’s mountains will be filled with its own dead, and that its cities will never recover. It further describes how the prideful boasting of Seir's conquerors—claiming Israel’s inheritance for themselves—will be turned back upon them, resulting in their complete desolation. The chapter concludes with a statement that the whole earth will rejoice at Seir’s downfall, affirming God's sovereignty and judgment.

Outline
  1. Divine command to Ezekiel to prophesy against Mount Seir (verses 1‑2)
  2. God’s declaration of judgment and desolation for Seir’s cities and people (verses 3‑9)
  3. Recounting Seir’s hatred, bloodshed, and boasting over Israel (verses 10‑13)
  4. God’s promise of desolation and the earth’s rejoicing (verses 14‑15)
Themes
Judgment for enmity and violenceDivine sovereignty over nationsConsequences of pride and boasting
Keywords
prophesydesolationhatredbloodswordangerenvyblasphemiesinheritance
People
EzekielLord (God)Israel
Places
Mount SeirIdumeaIsrael
Things
DesolationBloodSwordMountainsCities
Key Verses
  • Ezekiel 35:1: Introduces the prophetic commission and establishes the context of divine judgment.
  • Ezekiel 35:3: Contains the central declaration that God is against Seir, setting the tone for the judgment.
  • Ezekiel 35:8: Imposes the vivid image of Seir’s mountains being filled with its own dead, underscoring the severity of the judgment.
  • Ezekiel 35:14: Highlights the universal rejoicing in the earth at Seir’s destruction, affirming divine justice.
Questions
  • What does the repeated imagery of blood and desolation reveal about God’s view of violence and its consequences?
  • How does the prophecy against Mount Seir illustrate the concept of divine sovereignty over nations?
  • In what ways might the judgment against Seir serve as a warning to other nations regarding pride and hostility toward Israel?
Sentiment

negative
The passage expresses condemnation, judgment, and a grim prophetic tone.