King James Version

Ezekiel 25

17 verses with commentary

Prophecy Against Ammon

The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,

View commentary

This formula introduces the 'oracles against the nations' section (chapters 25-32), demonstrating God's sovereignty over all peoples, not just Israel. These prophecies reveal that God judges all nations by His righteous standards and holds them accountable for their treatment of His people (Genesis 12:3). Divine justice extends beyond covenant community to all humanity.

Son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites , and prophesy against them;

View commentary

Ammon, descended from Lot's incestuous union (Genesis 19:38), maintained hostile relations with Israel throughout history. 'Set thy face against' signifies declarative judgment. Prophets didn't merely predict the future—their words participated in divine judgment's execution. The spoken word of God accomplishes His purposes (Isaiah 55:11).

And say unto the Ammonites , Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;

View commentary

Ammon's sin was malicious joy at Israel's suffering—saying 'Aha!' when the sanctuary was profaned, the land desolated, and Judah exiled. This reveals the spiritual principle that mocking God's people mocks God Himself (Zechariah 2:8). Their joy at judgment showed they misunderstood God's discipline as divine abandonment rather than covenant correction.

Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession, and they shall set their palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee: they shall eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk. men: Heb. children

View commentary

God's judgment fits the crime: Ammon rejoiced at Israel's exile, so they would experience foreign occupation by 'men of the east' (Arabian nomadic tribes). The ironic reversal shows divine justice—their territory would become pastureland for foreign flocks, just as they hoped to possess Israel's land. God's judgments are always righteous and proportionate.

And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couchingplace for flocks: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

View commentary

Rabbah was Ammon's capital city (modern Amman, Jordan). Its transformation into 'a stable for camels' and general pastureland represents complete desolation and loss of national identity. The covenant formula 'ye shall know that I am the LORD' appears throughout these oracles, revealing that even pagan nations will recognize Yahweh's sovereignty through fulfilled prophecy.

For thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel; hands: Heb. hand feet: Heb. foot heart: Heb. soul

View commentary

Clapping hands and stamping feet express malicious joy and contempt (Lamentations 2:15). Ammon's 'despite' (contempt) showed 'soul-deep' hatred toward Israel. The Hebrew 'nephesh' (soul) indicates their whole being rejoiced in Israel's calamity. Such comprehensive hostility toward God's people brings comprehensive judgment, revealing God's protective jealousy for His own.

Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. a spoil: or, meat

View commentary

God's 'stretched out hand' symbolizes active judgment (Exodus 7:5, Isaiah 5:25). The complete destruction promised—'perish,' 'cut off,' 'destroy'—uses three different Hebrew terms emphasizing totality. Ammon would cease to exist as a distinct people. Historical extinction of peoples who opposed God's redemptive plan demonstrates that human kingdoms are temporary, but God's kingdom is eternal.

Prophecy Against Moab

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Moab and Seir do say, Behold, the house of Judah is like unto all the heathen;

View commentary

Moab (descended from Lot, Genesis 19:37) added theological error to malicious joy: 'the house of Judah is like all the heathen.' They denied Israel's unique covenant status and election, essentially claiming God shows no distinction between His people and pagan nations. This denial of particular election provokes divine jealousy, as it denies God's sovereign choice.

Therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Bethjeshimoth, Baalmeon, and Kiriathaim, side: Heb. shoulder of Moab

View commentary

God promises to 'open the side' (expose the flank/border) of Moab by removing their fortified cities. The three cities mentioned—Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, Kiriathaim—were Moab's northern defensive line. Removing these strongholds would leave Moab vulnerable to invasion, demonstrating that human defenses fail when God determines judgment.

Unto the men of the east with the Ammonites , and will give them in possession, that the Ammonites may not be remembered among the nations. with: or, against the children of Ammon

View commentary

Moab would share Ammon's fate—conquest by 'men of the east' and loss of national identity 'that Ammon be no more remembered.' Complete erasure from history represents ultimate judgment. This reveals that opposing God's redemptive purposes leads to futility and oblivion, while serving God's kingdom brings eternal significance.

And I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

View commentary

The execution of 'judgments' (Hebrew 'mishpatim'—righteous ordinances) reveals God's character. His judgments aren't arbitrary but reflect His justice and holiness. The covenant formula 'they shall know that I am the LORD' shows that even judgment serves a revelatory purpose—nations recognize God's sovereignty through the fulfillment of His word.

Prophecy Against Edom

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them; by: Heb. by revenging revengement

View commentary

Edom's sin involved 'taking vengeance' and 'greatly offending' in revenge against Judah. Descended from Esau (Genesis 36), Edom maintained brotherly hatred throughout history. They violated the kinship bond by exploiting Judah's vulnerability during Babylonian invasion (Obadiah 10-14). Taking revenge belongs to God alone (Romans 12:19); human vengeance compounds sin with sin.

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword. they: or, they shall fall by the sword unto Dedan

View commentary

God's stretched-out hand of judgment would make Edom 'desolate from Teman' (in the south) to 'Dedan' (in the north), encompassing their entire territory. The phrase 'they shall fall by the sword' indicates violent conquest. Edom's judgment would be comprehensive—total destruction proportionate to their treacherous violence against their brother nation.

And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD.

View commentary

God would execute vengeance 'by the hand of my people Israel,' fulfilled when Jewish Maccabees conquered Idumea (Edom) circa 125 BC, forcibly converting Edomites to Judaism. Ironically, Herod the Great was an Idumean, creating complex dynamics in Jesus' time. This reveals God's sovereignty in using even His disciplined people as instruments of justice.

Prophecy Against Philistia

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred; for the: or, with perpetual hatred

View commentary

Philistia's sin involved 'vengeance with a despiteful heart' to 'destroy for the old hatred.' Their malice wasn't circumstantial but rooted in ancient, persistent hostility. The phrase 'old hatred' reveals that unresolved bitterness compounds over generations. Their 'despite' (contempt) showed soul-deep malice, bringing proportionate judgment.

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast. sea coast: or, haven of the sea

View commentary

God would 'cut off the Cherethims' (likely Cretans, possibly Philistines' origin per Amos 9:7) and 'destroy the remnant of the sea coast.' The Philistines would cease to exist as a distinct people. Their name would survive ironically—'Palestine' derives from 'Philistia'—but no ethnic Philistines remain. This demonstrates that those who persistently oppose God's purposes face oblivion.

And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them. great vengeance: Heb. great vengeances

View commentary

God's 'great vengeance' and 'furious rebukes' express divine jealousy for His people and holiness. The covenant formula 'they shall know that I am the LORD' concludes this section, emphasizing that all judgments serve to reveal God's character. Even pagan nations that reject Him will ultimately acknowledge His sovereignty through fulfilled prophecy and executed judgment.

About Ezekiel

Places in This Chapter

Ezekiel 25

Prophecy Against Ammon

Prophecy Against Moab

Prophecy Against Edom

Prophecy Against Philistia

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study