King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 35:5 Mean?

Ezekiel 35:5 in the King James Version says “Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezekiel 35:5 · KJV


Context

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.

7

Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that passeth out and him that returneth. most: Heb. desolation and desolation


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Edom's sin: 'perpetual hatred' toward Israel, shedding blood 'in the time of their calamity, in the time that their iniquity had an end.' Rather than showing mercy when Judah suffered deserved judgment, Edom exploited vulnerability. Kicking someone when they're down compounds sin. God judges not just actions but also timing and motivation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

During Jerusalem's 586 BC destruction, Edom helped Babylonians capture fleeing refugees, looted property, and occupied abandoned territory (Obadiah 11-14, Psalm 137:7). This treachery against a brother nation during their darkest hour made their sin particularly heinous.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should you respond to others' suffering, even when they face deserved consequences?
  2. What does 'perpetual hatred' reveal about the dangers of nursing grievances and refusing forgiveness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
יַ֗עַן1 of 17
H3282

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

הֱי֤וֹת2 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְךָ֙3 of 17
H0
אֵיבַ֣ת4 of 17

hatred

H342

hostility

עוֹלָ֔ם5 of 17

Because thou hast had a perpetual

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

וַתַּגֵּ֥ר6 of 17

and hast shed

H5064

to flow; figuratively, to stretch out; causatively, to pour out or down; figuratively, to deliver over

אֶת7 of 17
H853

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

בְּנֵֽי8 of 17

the blood of the children

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל9 of 17

of Israel

H3478

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

עַל10 of 17
H5921

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

יְדֵי11 of 17

by the force

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

חָ֑רֶב12 of 17

of the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

בְּעֵ֖ת13 of 17

in the time

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

אֵידָ֔ם14 of 17

of their calamity

H343

oppression; by implication misfortune, ruin

בְּעֵ֖ת15 of 17

in the time

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

עֲוֹ֥ן16 of 17

that their iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

קֵֽץ׃17 of 17

had an end

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after


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 35:5 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 35:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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