And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they shall do in Edom according to my anger and according to my wrath, and they shall know my vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's striking here is not just that God's vengeance is coming, but how it's coming: "by the hand of my people Israel." This reveals a profound truth: God often uses the very people who have been wronged to carry out His justice, ensuring the oppressors will not only face judgment but also learn that the God of the wronged is truly powerful. This isn't about human revenge, but about God's directed, purposeful wrath executed through His chosen instruments.
And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they shall do in Edom according to my anger and according to my wrath, and they shall know my vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel has just declared God’s judgment against Ammon, and now turns to Edom, their long-standing rival who had gloated over Judah’s suffering. God announces He will bring vengeance upon Edom, specifically through the hand of His people, Israel, fulfilling ancient prophecies of retribution. This judgment will be a clear demonstration of God's power and wrath, making His vengeance undeniable to Edom.
Have you ever wondered if God uses ordinary people to carry out His justice? This verse reveals a powerful truth about divine action.
In this passage, God declares He will enact vengeance on Edom, but not directly. Instead, He chooses to use 'my people Israel' as the instrument of His justice.
Instruments of God's Wrath
What does it truly mean to 'know' God's vengeance? It's more than just witnessing an event; it's a profound realization.
The verse concludes with a powerful declaration: 'and they shall know my vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.' This isn't merely about the Edomites suffering a defeat.
Experiencing Divine Justice
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Understand the original words
aph · Hebrew Noun
A term denoting intense, burning indignation; biblically, it refers to God's settled, holy opposition to sin and rebellion, which is righteous rather than arbitrary.
chemah · Hebrew Noun
An intense expression of God’s holy displeasure and judgment; it represents His active response to persistent wickedness and covenant breaking.
This prophecy was fulfilled through a series of historical events, notably the military conquests by the Maccabees, demonstrating God's judgment executed by His people against those who wronged them.
Late 8th - Early 6th century BC
Longstanding Enmity Between Israel and Edom
The relationship between Israel and Edom (descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother) was marked by historical animosity, including Edom's refusal to let Israel pass through their land during the Exodus and later aggressions.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
While Babylon was the primary instrument of judgment, Edom is noted for its participation in and gloating over Jerusalem's destruction, further fueling God's judgment against them.
c. 160s-140 BC— this verse
Maccabean Revolt and Conquests
During the Maccabean period, Jewish forces, particularly under Judas Maccabeus and later John Hyrcanus, waged war against the Edomites, conquering them and forcing them to adopt Jewish customs, including circumcision.
c. 40 BC - AD 4
Herod the Great's Reign
Herod, an Edomite (Idumean) by descent, ruled as king of Judea under Roman authority, signifying a complex integration where Edomites held power over Jews, fulfilling the prophecy of 'the elder serving the younger' in a unique way.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment of Ezekiel 25:14, stating that Edom's downfall will be a consequence of their violence against their relatives, the people of Judah.
Isaiah 34:8This prophecy describes a day of vengeance for the Lord, specifically mentioning Edom and linking it to a 'year of recompense,' mirroring the divine justice declared in Ezekiel.
Jeremiah 49:7-11Jeremiah pronounces judgment on Edom for their pride and betrayal, highlighting God's intention to bring them down and abandon them, aligning with Ezekiel's theme of divine retribution.
Amos 9:11-12This prophecy connects the restoration of David's fallen tent with the subjugation of Edom, suggesting a divinely ordained outcome where the descendants of Jacob will possess what remains of Esau, reflecting the fulfillment of judgment.
This historical account details how Judas Maccabeus defeated the Edomites, fulfilling the prophecy that God's vengeance would be carried out by the hand of Israel.
ellicottEzekiel 25:14: "And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD."
(14) By the hand of my people Israel. —This points distinctly to the fact that the Divine vengeance on Edom should be accomplished by the hand of the Israelites, a prophecy which was fulfilled when they were conquered by John Hyrcanus, and compelled to submit to circumcision as a…
pooleEzekiel 25:14: "And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD."
I will lay my vengeance upon Edom; which as it is great, so just, sure, and opportune, their foot slideth in due time, Deu 32:35 . By the hand of my people Israel; no history mentions the fulfilling of this, as it sounds in the letter of it, unless /APC 1Ma 5:3,2Ma 10:16,17 ; some…
What's striking here is not just that God's vengeance is coming, but how it's coming: "by the hand of my people Israel." This reveals a profound truth: God often uses the very people who have been wronged to carry out His justice, ensuring the oppressors will not only face judgment but also learn that the God of the wronged is truly powerful. This isn't about human revenge, but about God's directed, purposeful wrath executed through His chosen instruments.
Ezekiel has just declared God’s judgment against Ammon, and now turns to Edom, their long-standing rival who had gloated over Judah’s suffering. God announces He will bring vengeance upon Edom, specifically through the hand of His people, Israel, fulfilling ancient prophecies of retribution. This judgment will be a clear demonstration of God's power and wrath, making His vengeance undeniable to Edom.
Ezekiel has just declared God’s judgment against Ammon, and now turns to Edom, their long-standing rival who had gloated over Judah’s suffering. God announces He will bring vengeance upon Edom, specifically through the hand of His people, Israel, fulfilling ancient prophecies of retribution. This judgment will be a clear demonstration of God's power and wrath, making His vengeance undeniable to Edom.
"And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they shall do in Edom according to my anger and according to my wrath, and they shall know my vengeance, declares the Lord GOD." — What's striking here is not just that God's vengeance is coming, but how it's coming: "by the hand of my people Israel." This reveals a profound truth: God often uses the very people who have been…
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Last reviewed October 2026