King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 25:3 Mean?

Ezekiel 25:3 in the King James Version says “And say unto the Ammonites , Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against m... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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;

Ezekiel 25:3 · KJV


Context

1

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

2

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

3

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;

4

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

5

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.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

When Babylon destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, Ammon allied with Babylon and participated in looting. They wrongly assumed Israel's God had failed, not recognizing that judgment came from God's holiness, not weakness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should you guard against taking pleasure in others' downfall, even when they experience deserved consequences?
  2. What does this passage teach about the difference between God's discipline of His people and their ultimate destruction?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
אָמְרֵ֨ךְ1 of 29

And say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִבְנֵ֣י2 of 29

unto the Ammonites

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמּ֔וֹן3 of 29
H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

שִׁמְע֖וּ4 of 29

Hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

דְּבַר5 of 29

the word

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲדֹנָ֣י6 of 29

of the Lord

H136

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

יְהוִ֡ה7 of 29

GOD

H3069

god

כֹּה8 of 29
H3541

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

אָמְרֵ֨ךְ9 of 29

And say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י10 of 29

of the Lord

H136

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

יְהוִ֡ה11 of 29

GOD

H3069

god

יַעַן֩12 of 29
H3282

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

אָמְרֵ֨ךְ13 of 29

And say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֶאָ֜ח14 of 29

Aha

H1889

aha!

אֶל15 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִקְדָּשִׁ֣י16 of 29

against my sanctuary

H4720

a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum

כִֽי17 of 29
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נִחָ֗ל18 of 29

when it was profaned

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

וְאֶל19 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַדְמַ֤ת20 of 29

and against the land

H127

soil (from its general redness)

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙21 of 29

of Israel

H3478

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

כִּ֣י22 of 29
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נָשַׁ֔מָּה23 of 29

when it was desolate

H8074

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

וְאֶל24 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֣ית25 of 29

and against the house

H1004

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

יְהוּדָ֔ה26 of 29

of Judah

H3063

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

כִּ֥י27 of 29
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הָלְכ֖וּ28 of 29

when they went

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בַּגּוֹלָֽה׃29 of 29

into captivity

H1473

exile; concretely and collectively exiles


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 25:3 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 25:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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