It's easy to read "palaces" and think of grand buildings, but here it likely refers to the nomadic encampments of the "men of the east." This stark contrast highlights a profound reversal: the conquerors will not only occupy but entirely take over the land, reducing its former inhabitants' very homes and way of life to resources for their own sustenance.
therefore behold, I am handing you over to the people of the East for a possession, and they shall set their encampments among you and make their dwellings in your midst. They shall eat your fruit, and they shall drink your milk.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Ezekiel is delivering a severe judgment against the Ammonites. They had rejoiced and gloated over the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem, showing blatant contempt for God's people. In response, God declares He will give their land to nomadic tribes from the East, who will settle there, possess its resources, and consume its produce, effectively taking over everything the Ammonites once enjoyed.
Who are these 'people of the East,' and why are they coming?
God declares He will hand the Ammonites over to the 'people of the East.' This phrase often refers to nomadic tribes from the Arabian desert. These groups, while sometimes allies of greater empires like Babylon (who conquered Ammon), are depicted here as taking possession of the land themselves. Their arrival signifies more than just a military defeat; it means a complete takeover. They won't just pass through; they will settle in, making the Ammonites' cities and lands their own.
It's important to note the commentaries highlight that 'palaces' here likely refers to their temporary encampments or dwellings, not grand buildings. This emphasizes the contrast between what the Ammonites had and what will replace it – the simple, yet dominant, presence of these eastern tribes.
What does it mean for enemies to 'eat your fruit' and 'drink your milk'?
The judgment isn't just about invasion; it's about the complete stripping away of everything the Ammonites valued and enjoyed. God specifically mentions they will 'eat your fruit, and they shall drink your milk.'
This language paints a vivid picture of total devastation and appropriation. The fruit and milk represent the bounty of their land, the products of their agriculture and their herds. It speaks to the rich pastures and fertile fields that were the source of their prosperity. Now, these very resources will be consumed by their conquerors. It’s a profound reversal: the land that sustained the Ammonites will now sustain their enemies, leaving nothing for the original inhabitants.
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Ezekiel prophesies the judgment against Ammon for their cruel rejoicing over Jerusalem's fall. The historical context reveals that their punishment would come not just from Babylon, but also from the nomadic peoples who would overrun and possess their land, fulfilling God's word of judgment through multiple agents.
c. 605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's First Invasion of Judah
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, invades Judah, initiating the first deportation of exiles, including Daniel. This marks the rise of Babylonian power in the region.
c. 598-597 BC
Second Deportation from Judah
Nebuchadnezzar deports more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. The Babylonian Empire solidifies its control over Judah.
c. 587-586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
Jerusalem is destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, and the remaining population is exiled to Babylon. This event represents the final destruction of the Judean kingdom.
c. 586-582 BC— this verse
Conquest and Subjugation of Ammon
Following the destruction of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar turns his attention to the surrounding nations, including Ammon. The Ammonites face devastation and their land is given over to eastern tribes.
Post-Exilic Period
Nomadic Tribes Occupy Ammonite Land
After the Babylonian conquest, nomadic peoples from the east, likely Arab tribes, settle in the former territory of the Ammonites, exploiting its resources.
c. 3rd Century BC
Founding of Philadelphia
The city of Philadelphia (modern Amman) is founded on the site of the Ammonite capital Rabbah by the Ptolemies, indicating a shift in regional power and settlement.
This passage directly parallels Ezekiel's prophecy, describing how the Ammonites' cities will be in ruins and desolate, making way for nomadic tribes to take possession.
Judges 6:3This passage illustrates the 'people of the East' that would later afflict the land, describing the Midianites and Amalekites who, like locusts, would destroy crops and livestock, mirroring the plunder described in Ezekiel.
Isaiah 13:20This verse foretells the desolation of Babylon, stating it will become a place where wild animals dwell and no one will live there, echoing the profound destruction and emptiness prophesied for the Ammonites.
Genesis 25:16This verse mentions 'encampments' and 'settlements' of Ishmael's descendants, providing an ancient context for the 'dwellings' and 'encampments' that the 'men of the East' would establish in the Ammonite territory.
ellicottEzekiel 25:4: "Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession, and they shall set their palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee: they shall eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk."
(4) To the men of the east. —Literally, sons of the east, i.e., the various nomadic tribes inhabiting the Eastern deserts, who occupy the country to this day. They are described as its possessors, not its conquerors; the conquest was effected by Nebuchadnezzar. In Ezekie…
bensonEzekiel 25:4: "Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession, and they shall set their palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee: they shall eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk."
Ezekiel 25:4-7 . Behold, I will deliver thee to the men of the east — That is, to the Chaldeans, whose country lay east of the Ammonites. This people was accordingly conquered and subdued by the Chaldeans, about five years after the destruction of Jerusalem. And they sha…
It's easy to read "palaces" and think of grand buildings, but here it likely refers to the nomadic encampments of the "men of the east." This stark contrast highlights a profound reversal: the conquerors will not only occupy but entirely take over the land, reducing its former inhabitants' very homes and way of life to resources for their own sustenance.
The prophet Ezekiel is delivering a severe judgment against the Ammonites. They had rejoiced and gloated over the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem, showing blatant contempt for God's people. In response, God declares He will give their land to nomadic tribes from the East, who will settle there, possess its resources, and consume its produce, effectively taking over everything the Ammonites once enjoyed.
The prophet Ezekiel is delivering a severe judgment against the Ammonites. They had rejoiced and gloated over the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem, showing blatant contempt for God's people. In response, God declares He will give their land to nomadic tribes from the East, who will settle there, possess its resources, and consume its produce, effectively taking over everything the Ammonites once enjoyed.
"therefore behold, I am handing you over to the people of the East for a possession, and they shall set their encampments among you and make their dwellings in your midst. They shall eat your fruit, and they shall drink your milk." — It's easy to read "palaces" and think of grand buildings, but here it likely refers to the nomadic encampments of the "men of the east." This stark contrast highlights a profound reversal: the conque…
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Last reviewed October 2026
