King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 25:13 Mean?

Ezekiel 25:13 in the King James Version says “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; ... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezekiel 25:13 · KJV


Context

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.

15

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


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Teman was a district in southern Edom, known for wisdom (Jeremiah 49:7). Dedan was a north Arabian trading people near Edom's northern border. The prophecy encompasses all Edom's territory from south to north.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does betraying family or fellow believers compound the sin of ordinary wrongdoing?
  2. What warning does Edom's fate give about the consequences of brother against brother strife in the church?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
לָכֵ֗ן1 of 19
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כֹּ֤ה2 of 19
H3541

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

אָמַר֙3 of 19

Therefore thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 19

the Lord

H136

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

יְהוִ֔ה5 of 19

GOD

H3069

god

וְנָטִ֤תִי6 of 19

I will also stretch out

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

יָדִי֙7 of 19

mine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עַל8 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֱד֔וֹם9 of 19

upon Edom

H123

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

וְהִכְרַתִּ֥י10 of 19

and will cut off

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

מִמֶּ֖נָּה11 of 19
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

אָדָ֣ם12 of 19

man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וּבְהֵמָ֑ה13 of 19

and beast

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

וּנְתַתִּ֤יהָ14 of 19

from it and I will make

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

חָרְבָּה֙15 of 19

it desolate

H2723

properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation

מִתֵּימָ֔ן16 of 19

from Teman

H8487

teman, the name of two edomites, and of the region and descendant of one of them

וּדְדָ֖נֶה17 of 19

and they of Dedan

H1719

dedan, the name of two cushites and of their territory

בַּחֶ֥רֶב18 of 19

by the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

יִפֹּֽלוּ׃19 of 19

shall fall

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)


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 25:13 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 25:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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