therefore thus says the Lord GOD, I will stretch out my hand against Edom and cut off from it man and beast. And I will make it desolate; from Teman even to Dedan they shall fall by the sword.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This prophecy doesn't just announce destruction for Edom; it emphasizes its totality by stretching the judgment "from Teman even to Dedan." This highlights that no corner of their land, from its southern strongholds to its northern borders, would escape God's hand. It's a comprehensive devastation, wiping out both people and livestock, leaving nothing but emptiness.
therefore thus says the Lord GOD, I will stretch out my hand against Edom and cut off from it man and beast. And I will make it desolate; from Teman even to Dedan they shall fall by the sword.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This prophecy is part of a series of judgments against surrounding nations, specifically focusing on Edom's deep-seated hatred and mistreatment of Israel. Ezekiel declares God's righteous wrath is coming against Edom for their "vengeance" and "malice," vowing complete destruction from its southern reaches at Teman to its northern borders near Dedan, leaving nothing alive.
When God declares judgment, His 'hand' isn't just a metaphor. It signifies direct, powerful, and comprehensive action.
In Ezekiel 25:13, God declares, 'I will stretch out my hand against Edom.' This imagery speaks to divine intervention.
God's judgment on Edom wasn't selective; it was intended to be a complete eradication of life.
The verse starkly states God will 'cut off from it man and beast.' This highlights the totality of the impending judgment.
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The judgment wasn't confined to a single point; it would sweep across the entirety of Edom's territory.
By specifying 'from Teman even to Dedan,' the prophecy paints a picture of Edom's complete desolation.
Understand the original words
shemamah · Hebrew Noun
A state of being laid waste, empty, or ruined; in prophecy, it denotes the catastrophic result of divine judgment upon a nation or city, leaving it uninhabitable.
chereb · Hebrew Noun
A tool of war symbolizing violent death, execution, or divine judgment by the sword.
Ezekiel prophesies against Edom for its cruel actions against Judah during the Babylonian conquest and exile. The Edomites' betrayal of their kinship with Judah brings divine retribution, a stark warning about the consequences of enmity towards God's people.
c. 9th-8th century BC
Edomite Kingdom Flourishes
The Edomites, descendants of Esau, maintain a kingdom south of Judah. They are often rivals and sometimes allies with Israel.
722 BC
Fall of Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the displacement of many Israelites and shifting regional powers.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah, deporting some of the royal family and elite to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's Babylonian captivity.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining Jewish population to Babylon. Edom's actions during this crisis provoke God's judgment.
c. 582 BC
Babylonian Campaigns in the Region
Following the fall of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar conducts further military campaigns against surrounding nations, including Edom, fulfilling the prophecies of judgment.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great overthrows the Neo-Babylonian Empire, eventually allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Judah.
This passage directly parallels Ezekiel's prophecy against Edom, predicting desolation and judgment from Teman and Dedan, highlighting the deep-seated animosity and divine retribution.
Obadiah 1:1-16Obadiah focuses entirely on God's judgment against Edom for their pride and mistreatment of Judah, echoing Ezekiel's theme of complete destruction and the downfall of their 'wisdom'.
Psalm 137:7This psalm reflects the pain of the exiles, mentioning Edom's encouragement of Jerusalem's destruction ('Raze it, raze it to its very foundations!'). This gives context to the 'why' behind God's severe judgment on Edom in Ezekiel.
Genesis 27:41-43This passage describes the initial strife between Jacob and Esau (from whom Edom descended) and prophesies that Edom would eventually break free from Judah's rule. Ezekiel's prophecy shows the opposite: God's complete subjugation of Edom.
Isaiah 11:14This prophecy speaks of future reconciliation and unity, contrasting with Ezekiel's declaration of war. It shows how God's judgment on enemies like Edom is a step towards a future of peace under His reign.
barnesEzekiel 25:13: "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword."
From Teman ... - Or "from Teman" even unto "Dedan," "shall they fall." Teman and Dedan were districts (not cities), the former in the south ( Ezekiel 20:46 note), the latter in the north ("over the whole country").
gillEzekiel 25:13: "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword."
Therefore thus saith the Lord God,.... Because of such base and barbarous usage, from a people that were originally brethren: I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; by the army of Nebuchadnezzar, by the sword of the Chaldeans, and by…
This prophecy doesn't just announce destruction for Edom; it emphasizes its totality by stretching the judgment "from Teman even to Dedan." This highlights that no corner of their land, from its southern strongholds to its northern borders, would escape God's hand. It's a comprehensive devastation, wiping out both people and livestock, leaving nothing but emptiness.
This prophecy is part of a series of judgments against surrounding nations, specifically focusing on Edom's deep-seated hatred and mistreatment of Israel. Ezekiel declares God's righteous wrath is coming against Edom for their "vengeance" and "malice," vowing complete destruction from its southern reaches at Teman to its northern borders near Dedan, leaving nothing alive.
This prophecy is part of a series of judgments against surrounding nations, specifically focusing on Edom's deep-seated hatred and mistreatment of Israel. Ezekiel declares God's righteous wrath is coming against Edom for their "vengeance" and "malice," vowing complete destruction from its southern reaches at Teman to its northern borders near Dedan, leaving nothing alive.
"therefore thus says the Lord GOD, I will stretch out my hand against Edom and cut off from it man and beast. And I will make it desolate; from Teman even to Dedan they shall fall by the sword." — This prophecy doesn't just announce destruction for Edom; it emphasizes its totality by stretching the judgment "from Teman even to Dedan." This highlights that no corner of their land, from its sout…
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Last reviewed October 2026