King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 35:6 Mean?

Ezekiel 35:6 in the King James Version says “Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: sith thou hast no...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 35:6 · KJV

Context

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

8

And I will fill his mountains with his slain men: in thy hills, and in thy valleys, and in all thy rivers, shall they fall that are slain with the sword.

Read Ezekiel 35 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The judgment fits the crime: 'I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: since thou hast not hated blood, blood shall pursue thee.' This lex talionis (law of retaliation) demonstrates proportionate justice. Those who delight in bloodshed will experience bloodshed. God's judgments are always righteous and fitting.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Edom's violence toward vulnerable refugees brought corresponding violence upon themselves. Historical records show Edom suffered military defeats and eventual ethnic dissolution—they pursued blood and blood pursued them.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you see the principle of reaping what you sow operating in God's justice?
  2. What warning does this give about the consequences of cruelty or violence toward vulnerable people?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
לָכֵ֣ן1 of 17
H3651

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

חַי2 of 17

“Therefore as I live”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

אָ֗נִי3 of 17
H589

i

נְאֻם֙4 of 17

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֣י5 of 17

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִ֔ה6 of 17
H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּֽי7 of 17
H3588

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

וְדָ֥ם8 of 17

“and blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

אֶעֶשְׂךָ֖9 of 17

“I will prepare”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וְדָ֥ם10 of 17

“and blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

יִרְדֲּפֶֽךָ׃11 of 17

“shall pursue”

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

אִם12 of 17

“thee sith”

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹ֥א13 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

וְדָ֥ם14 of 17

“and blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

שָׂנֵ֖אתָ15 of 17

“thou hast not hated”

H8130

to hate (personally)

וְדָ֥ם16 of 17

“and blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

יִרְדֲּפֶֽךָ׃17 of 17

“shall pursue”

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

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 35:6 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 35:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 63:2-6Revelation 18:24Obadiah 1:15Revelation 16:5-7Matthew 7:2Revelation 18:6

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