King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 25:12 Mean?

Ezekiel 25:12 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly o...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 25:12 · KJV

Context

10

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

11

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

12

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

13

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

14

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.

Read Ezekiel 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural Context

During Jerusalem's 586 BC fall, Edomites helped Babylonians capture fleeing refugees, looted Jerusalem, and occupied southern Judah. This treachery despite blood relationship made their sin particularly heinous.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage challenge any desires for personal revenge or 'settling scores' in your relationships?
  2. What does it mean to trust God's justice rather than seeking your own vindication?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
כֹּ֤ה1 of 15
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַר֙2 of 15

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י3 of 15

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֔ה4 of 15

“GOD”

H3069

god

יַ֣עַן5 of 15
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

עֲשׂ֥וֹת6 of 15

“hath dealt”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֱד֛וֹם7 of 15

“Because that Edom”

H123

edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him

וְנִקְּמ֥וּ8 of 15

“and revenged”

H5358

to grudge, i.e., avenge or punish

נָקָ֖ם9 of 15

“vengeance”

H5359

revenge

לְבֵ֣ית10 of 15

“against the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוּדָ֑ה11 of 15

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אָשׁ֖וֹם12 of 15

“and hath greatly”

H816

to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish

אָשׁ֖וֹם13 of 15

“and hath greatly”

H816

to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish

וְנִקְּמ֥וּ14 of 15

“and revenged”

H5358

to grudge, i.e., avenge or punish

בָהֶֽם׃15 of 15
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 25:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 25:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 49:7-22Ezekiel 25:8Psalms 137:7Obadiah 1:10-16Amos 1:11-122 Chronicles 28:17-18

Places in This Verse

EdomRegion · Modern: Buseira · 30.75°N, 35.60°E111 verses across 21 books
View all places in Ezekiel 25 →

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