Ezekiel 25:6
For thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet and rejoiced with all the malice within your soul against the land of Israel,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This isn't just about being happy Israel fell; it's about a physical, active celebration of their suffering. The clapping and stamping show that their malice wasn't just an internal feeling, but an outward display of contempt and glee, almost like a dance of scorn.
God declares judgment against the Ammonites, detailing their sinful delight over Israel's downfall. This passage is part of a series of oracles against surrounding nations that rejoiced at Jerusalem's destruction, highlighting their deep-seated hatred and contempt for God's people. God's pronouncements of judgment will continue to address these nations and their malicious actions.
Have you ever felt a secret thrill when someone else stumbles? This verse reveals a dangerous heart attitude that God sees clearly.
The people of Ammon are condemned not just for their actions, but for the deep-seated joy they found in Israel's suffering.
Expressing Malice
Their celebration wasn't quiet or hidden. The text describes them 'clapping hands' and 'stamping feet.' These were outward, physical expressions of extreme delight, like a triumphant dance.
Heartfelt Hatred
This outward joy was fueled by 'all the malice within your soul.' It wasn't a passing emotion but a deep, internal hatred and contempt for God's chosen people. This kind of rejoicing in suffering is a serious offense to God.
The nations might think their private celebrations of hatred are unseen. But God's declaration here shows He misses nothing.
The prophecy begins with a powerful declaration: 'For thus says the Lord GOD.' This isn't just a human observation; it's God's direct word, carrying divine authority and judgment.
God's Awareness
God highlights the specific actions—clapping and stamping—and the inner disposition—malice and rejoicing. He sees the full picture: the outward show and the inward motive. Nothing escapes His notice.
The Basis for Judgment
This verse serves as the reason for the coming judgment on Ammon. Their wicked joy at Israel's suffering is precisely why God will act against them. God takes it personally when His people, despite their flaws, are mocked and hated.
Understand the original words
Adonai YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew title 'Adonai,' signifying God as the sovereign Ruler, Master, and owner of all things, emphasizing His absolute authority over nations and individuals.
she'at nephesh · Hebrew Noun/Adjective phrase
An intense, deliberate feeling of hostility or ill-will towards others, often associated with deep-seated wickedness and a lack of compassion. Biblically, it is the opposite of the command to love one's neighbor.
The Ammonites' cruel rejoicing over Jerusalem's destruction was not just a minor insult, but a deep-seated hatred rooted in past conflicts and regional rivalries, making them a target for God's justice.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling many Israelites. This event plants seeds of bitterness and division in the region.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon captures Jerusalem and deports many Judean leaders and artisans. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
c. 588-587 BC— this verse
Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem
Babylonian forces lay siege to Jerusalem, eventually breaching its walls, destroying the Temple, and exiling the remaining population. This devastating event triggers rejoicing among Israel's enemies.
c. 587 BC
Ammonite Malice and Rejoicing
The Ammonites, neighbors of Israel, express intense malicious delight and scorn at the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of its people. They engage in gestures of extreme joy and hatred.
This passage describes the same malicious delight and exultation over Jerusalem's downfall, using similar imagery of clapping hands and expressing joy at the destruction of God's people.
Ezekiel 6:11This verse directly mentions clapping hands and stamping feet as expressions of horror and grief, providing a contrasting but related expression of physical reaction to dire circumstances, highlighting the intensity of emotion conveyed by such gestures.
Jeremiah 48:27Similar to Ezekiel's prophecy against Moab, this verse denounces their pride and exultation over Israel's distress, showing a pattern of neighboring nations rejoicing in Judah's suffering.
Psalm 137:8-9This psalm powerfully expresses the desire for retribution against those who rejoiced in Babylon's destruction of Jerusalem, echoing the sentiment of divine judgment against nations that celebrate the suffering of God's chosen people.
gillEzekiel 25:6: "For thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel;"
For thus saith the Lord God,.... Their sin and punishment are further enlarged upon: because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with thy feet: gestures expressive of joy and gladness, Isaiah 55:12, the Ammonites clapped their hands together, and leaped and skipped for joy, when they heard of the calamities o…
ellicottEzekiel 25:6: "For thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel;"
(6) Clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet. —See Ezekiel 6:11 and Note there.
This isn't just about being happy Israel fell; it's about a physical, active celebration of their suffering. The clapping and stamping show that their malice wasn't just an internal feeling, but an outward display of contempt and glee, almost like a dance of scorn.
God declares judgment against the Ammonites, detailing their sinful delight over Israel's downfall. This passage is part of a series of oracles against surrounding nations that rejoiced at Jerusalem's destruction, highlighting their deep-seated hatred and contempt for God's people. God's pronouncements of judgment will continue to address these nations and their malicious actions.
God declares judgment against the Ammonites, detailing their sinful delight over Israel's downfall. This passage is part of a series of oracles against surrounding nations that rejoiced at Jerusalem's destruction, highlighting their deep-seated hatred and contempt for God's people. God's pronouncements of judgment will continue to address these nations and their malicious actions.
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c. 586 BC
Judgment Declared Against Ammon
The prophet Ezekiel delivers God's judgment specifically against the Ammonites for their gloating over Jerusalem's downfall, promising them divine retribution.
"For thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet and rejoiced with all the malice within your soul against the land of Israel," — This isn't just about being happy Israel fell; it's about a physical, active celebration of their suffering. The clapping and stamping show that their malice wasn't just an internal feeling, but an…
