King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 25:4 Mean?

Ezekiel 25:4 in the King James Version says “Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession, and they shall set their palaces in thee,... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezekiel 25:4 · KJV


Context

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.

6

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


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

After Babylon's fall to Persia (539 BC), Arabian tribes increasingly dominated former Ammonite territory. By the Hellenistic period, Ammonite ethnic identity had largely disappeared, absorbed by Arab populations.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you see God's justice operating in the principle that nations reap what they sow?
  2. What does proportionate judgment teach about God's character as both loving and just?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
לָכֵ֡ן1 of 18
H3651

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

הִנְנִי֩2 of 18
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

וְנָ֥תְנוּ3 of 18

Behold therefore I will deliver

H5414

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

לִבְנֵי4 of 18

thee to the men

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

קֶ֜דֶם5 of 18

of the east

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

לְמֽוֹרָשָׁ֗ה6 of 18

for a possession

H4181

a possession

וְיִשְּׁב֤וּ7 of 18

and they shall set

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

טִירֽוֹתֵיהֶם֙8 of 18

their palaces

H2918

a wall; hence, a fortress or a hamlet

בָּ֔ךְ9 of 18
H0
וְנָ֥תְנוּ10 of 18

Behold therefore I will deliver

H5414

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

בָ֖ךְ11 of 18
H0
מִשְׁכְּנֵיהֶ֑ם12 of 18

their dwellings

H4908

a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w

הֵ֚מָּה13 of 18
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

יֹאכְל֣וּ14 of 18

in thee they shall eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

פִרְיֵ֔ךְ15 of 18

thy fruit

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

וְהֵ֖מָּה16 of 18
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

יִשְׁתּ֥וּ17 of 18

and they shall drink

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

חֲלָבֵֽךְ׃18 of 18

thy milk

H2461

milk (as the richness of kine)


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 25:4 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 25:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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