King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 25:7 Mean?

Ezekiel 25:7 in the King James Version says “Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will c... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. a spoil: or, meat

Ezekiel 25:7 · KJV


Context

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

7

Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. a spoil: or, meat

8

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Moab and Seir do say, Behold, the house of Judah is like unto all the heathen;

9

Therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Bethjeshimoth, Baalmeon, and Kiriathaim, side: Heb. shoulder of Moab


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's 'stretched out hand' symbolizes active judgment (Exodus 7:5, Isaiah 5:25). The complete destruction promised—'perish,' 'cut off,' 'destroy'—uses three different Hebrew terms emphasizing totality. Ammon would cease to exist as a distinct people. Historical extinction of peoples who opposed God's redemptive plan demonstrates that human kingdoms are temporary, but God's kingdom is eternal.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Ammonites gradually disappeared from history after Persian period, absorbed by Arab tribes. By New Testament times, no distinct Ammonite nation existed, fulfilling this prophecy completely.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the temporary nature of earthly kingdoms contrast with the eternal nature of God's kingdom?
  2. What confidence does this give you that opposition to Christ's church will ultimately fail?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
לָכֵ֡ן1 of 20
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 20
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

נָטִ֨יתִי3 of 20

Behold therefore I will 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)

אֶת4 of 20
H853

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

יָדִ֜י5 of 20

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

עָלֶ֗יךָ6 of 20
H5921

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

וּנְתַתִּ֤יךָֽ7 of 20

upon thee and will deliver

H5414

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

לְבַג֙8 of 20
H897

food

לַגּוֹיִ֔ם9 of 20

to the heathen

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

וְהִכְרַתִּ֙יךָ֙10 of 20

and I will cut thee 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

מִן11 of 20
H4480

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

הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים12 of 20

from the people

H5971

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

וְהַאֲבַדְתִּ֖יךָ13 of 20

and I will cause thee to perish

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

מִן14 of 20
H4480

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

הָאֲרָצ֑וֹת15 of 20

out of the countries

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אַשְׁמִ֣ידְךָ֔16 of 20

I will destroy

H8045

to desolate

וְיָדַעְתָּ֖17 of 20

thee and thou shalt know

H3045

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

כִּֽי18 of 20
H3588

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

אֲנִ֥י19 of 20
H589

i

יְהוָֽה׃20 of 20

that I am the LORD

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 25:7 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 25:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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