King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 25:14 Mean?

Ezekiel 25:14 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 25:14 · KJV


Context

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

16

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


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

After Babylon's fall, Nabatean Arabs pushed Edomites westward into southern Judea (called Idumea in Greek). John Hyrcanus (Hasmonean ruler) conquered them, demanding circumcision and Torah observance. Edomite ethnic identity effectively ended.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you see God's sovereignty in the complex movements of history that fulfill His word?
  2. What does it mean that God can use even previously disciplined people as instruments of His justice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְנָתַתִּ֨י1 of 17

And I will lay

H5414

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

אֶת2 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נִקְמָתִ֔י3 of 17

my vengeance

H5360

avengement, whether the act of the passion

בֶאֱד֔וֹם4 of 17

in Edom

H123

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

בְּיַד֙5 of 17

by the 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

עַמִּ֣י6 of 17

of my people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל7 of 17

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְעָשׂ֣וּ8 of 17

and they shall do

H6213

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

בֶאֱד֔וֹם9 of 17

in Edom

H123

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

כְּאַפִּ֖י10 of 17

according to mine anger

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

וְכַחֲמָתִ֑י11 of 17

and according to my fury

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

וְיָֽדְעוּ֙12 of 17

and they shall know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֶת13 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נִקְמָתִ֔י14 of 17

my vengeance

H5360

avengement, whether the act of the passion

נְאֻ֖ם15 of 17

saith

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י16 of 17

the Lord

H136

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

יְהוִֽה׃17 of 17
H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


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 25:14 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 25:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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