As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so I will deal with you; you shall be desolate, Mount Seir, and all Edom, all of it. Then they will know that I am the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The chilling prophecy isn't just about punishment, but about mirroring the sin; Edom delighted in Israel's ruins, so the Lord declares He will make Edom desolate in the same way. This isn't random revenge, but a profound principle: the joy they took in another's destruction will be the very measure of their own.
As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so I will deal with you; you shall be desolate, Mount Seir, and all Edom, all of it. Then they will know that I am the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Ezekiel is delivering a scathing oracle against Mount Seir, the land of Edom, because they rejoiced and even actively participated in Israel's devastation. This judgment is a direct consequence of their gleeful anticipation and desire to claim Israel's inheritance when it was laid waste. Just as they relished Israel's desolation, God declares He will make Edom desolate in turn, ensuring they ultimately understand His sovereignty.
Edom rejoiced when Israel's land lay empty and broken. What does God say about delighting in another's ruin?
This verse lays out a clear principle of divine justice: retribution. Edom's sin wasn't just witnessing Israel's destruction; it was rejoicing over it. They took pleasure in the desolation of God's people, essentially mocking God's presence and promises associated with that land.
God declares that He will deal with Edom in the same way. Their joy over Israel's ruin will be mirrored by others rejoicing over their own desolation. This isn't just a tit-for-tat; it's a profound statement about how God views actions that malign Him and His people. Delight in suffering, especially the suffering of God's chosen, is an affront that will be met with a mirroring judgment.
Why does God emphasize that His judgment will make His name known?
The ultimate purpose of this judgment on Mount Seir and all of Edom is stated clearly in the last part of the verse: 'Then they will know that I am the LORD.'
This isn't about God seeking recognition like a human. It's about the revelation of His character and His sovereign power. For too long, nations like Edom had disregarded Yahweh, the God of Israel, or perhaps only knew Him as a tribal deity whose power was limited to Israel's borders. Through the comprehensive desolation of Edom, God demonstrates His universal authority and His absolute commitment to justice. Those who scorn Him and His people will ultimately confront the reality of His might and His righteous judgment, leaving them no room to doubt His identity and power.
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Understand the original words
nachalah · Hebrew Noun
In the context of the Old Testament, the land or people chosen by God as His own possession, which He guards and protects.
Edom's hostile actions and rejoicing over Israel's suffering during the Babylonian exile were seen as a direct affront to the LORD. Ezekiel's prophecy declares that Edom's own desolation will serve as a stark demonstration of God's justice and power.
c. 845 BC
Jehu's Rebellion and the Massacre of Ahab's Line
The prophet Jehu condemned King Ahab's house for its wickedness. While this act was divinely sanctioned, later generations of Edom faced consequences for similar actions.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, deporting many inhabitants. This event marked a significant decline for the Israelites, which nearby nations like Edom observed with interest.
c. 605-586 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's Campaigns Against Judah
The Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar II, launched multiple campaigns against the southern kingdom of Judah, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple.
c. 580 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Prophecy Against Mount Seir
The prophet Ezekiel, likely during or shortly after the Babylonian exile of Judah, delivers his prophecy against Mount Seir (Edom). He condemns Edom's gloating over Judah's desolation and pronounces a reciprocal judgment of destruction upon them.
c. 550 BC
Rise of the Persian Empire
The growing power of the Persian Empire began to eclipse the Babylonian Empire. This shift in geopolitical power would eventually lead to the fall of Babylon and the return of the exiles.
c. 400 BC
Nabatean Migration into Edom
Following centuries of conflict and geopolitical shifts, the Nabateans gradually migrated into the territory of Edom, displacing and absorbing its people.
This passage describes Edom's cruelty towards Judah and prophesies their complete destruction, directly echoing the theme of vengeful justice found in Ezekiel 35:15.
Lamentations 4:21-22These verses lament the fate of Edom, seeing their coming judgment as a consequence for their rejoicing over Jerusalem's destruction, linking their desolation directly to their past actions, just as in Ezekiel.
Isaiah 34:5-17This chapter vividly describes God's judgment against Edom, detailing their complete devastation as a consequence of their actions against His people, mirroring the prophetic declaration in Ezekiel 35.
Ezekiel 25:12-14This earlier passage in Ezekiel also condemns Edom for their vengeance and hatred against Judah, promising that God will stretch out His hand against them and make them a desolation, setting the stage for the specific judgment in chapter 35.
clarkeEzekiel 35:15: "As thou didst rejoice at the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so will I do unto thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir, and all Idumea, even all of it: and they shall know that I am the LORD."
So will I do unto thee - Others shall rejoice in thy downfall as thou hast rejoiced at their downfall. This whole chapter strongly inculcates this maxim: Do as thou wouldst be done by; and what thou wouldst not have done to thee, do not to others. And from i…
pooleEzekiel 35:15: "As thou didst rejoice at the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so will I do unto thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir, and all Idumea, even all of it: and they shall know that I am the LORD."
Thou didst rejoice; thou tookest pleasure in the ruin of my people; for this thy sin I will ruin thee, and then do to thee as thou didst, I will retaliate, and rejoice in thy ruin: thou helpedst to make Jerusalem desolate, I will make thee so: thou criedst t…
The chilling prophecy isn't just about punishment, but about mirroring the sin; Edom delighted in Israel's ruins, so the Lord declares He will make Edom desolate in the same way. This isn't random revenge, but a profound principle: the joy they took in another's destruction will be the very measure of their own.
The prophet Ezekiel is delivering a scathing oracle against Mount Seir, the land of Edom, because they rejoiced and even actively participated in Israel's devastation. This judgment is a direct consequence of their gleeful anticipation and desire to claim Israel's inheritance when it was laid waste. Just as they relished Israel's desolation, God declares He will make Edom desolate in turn, ensuring they ultimately understand His sovereignty.
The prophet Ezekiel is delivering a scathing oracle against Mount Seir, the land of Edom, because they rejoiced and even actively participated in Israel's devastation. This judgment is a direct consequence of their gleeful anticipation and desire to claim Israel's inheritance when it was laid waste. Just as they relished Israel's desolation, God declares He will make Edom desolate in turn, ensuring they ultimately understand His sovereignty.
"As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so I will deal with you; you shall be desolate, Mount Seir, and all Edom, all of it. Then they will know that I am the LORD." — The chilling prophecy isn't just about punishment, but about mirroring the sin; Edom delighted in Israel's ruins, so the Lord declares He will make Edom desolate in the same way. This isn't random re…
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Last reviewed October 2026