King James Version
What Does Ezekiel 35:4 Mean?
“I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.”
Ezekiel 35:4 · KJV
Context
2
Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it,
3
And say unto it, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O mount Seir, I am against thee, and I will stretch out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate. most: Heb. desolation and desolation
4
I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
5
Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time that their iniquity had an end: perpetual: or, hatred of old shed: Heb. poured out the children force: Heb. hands
6
Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: sith thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryGod would 'lay thy cities waste' and 'thou shalt be desolate'—transformation from populated nation to uninhabited ruin. The covenant formula 'thou shalt know that I am the LORD' reveals judgment's revelatory purpose. Even Edom would ultimately acknowledge Yahweh's sovereignty through fulfilled prophecy. Historical events teach theological truths.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Edomite cities were gradually destroyed and abandoned. By the Hellenistic period, Nabatean Arabs controlled former Edomite territory. Edomites were pushed westward into southern Judea (Idumea), eventually losing distinct ethnic identity.
Reflection Questions
- How do you see God's sovereignty revealed through fulfilled prophecies about ancient nations?
- What does history's validation of biblical prophecy teach about Scripture's authority?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 10 wordsעָרֶ֙יךָ֙1 of 10
“thy cities”
H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אָשִׂ֔ים3 of 10
“I will lay”
H7760to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
תִֽהְיֶ֑ה6 of 10
H1961to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וְיָדַעְתָּ֖7 of 10
“and thou shalt know”
H3045to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי8 of 10
H3588(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָֽה׃10 of 10
“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 35:4 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 35:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge