Ezekiel 35:2-3
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Notice how Ezekiel is told to "set your face against" Mount Seir. This isn't just a location, but a deliberate, unwavering posture of opposition, signifying that Edom represents a deep-seated, enduring hostility against God's people, embodying all worldly opposition to His covenant plans.
“Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir, and prophesy against it, and say to it, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will stretch out my hand against you, and I will make you a desolation and a waste.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After a series of prophecies against surrounding nations, God directs Ezekiel to turn his attention specifically to Mount Seir, the land of the Edomites, who were descendants of Esau and perpetual enemies of Israel. This isn't just about a historical grievance; Edom here represents all those who have consistently hated and opposed God's people throughout history. Ezekiel is to announce God's severe judgment against this region and its inhabitants, foreshadowing a future reckoning that goes beyond mere political defeat.
Ezekiel is told to 'set your face against' Mount Seir. This isn't just a casual glance; it's a command to fix his gaze with purpose and intensity.
The phrase 'set your face against' appears several times in Ezekiel. It signifies a deliberate, unwavering focus, a resolute stance against something. Imagine Ezekiel turning his whole body, his whole being, towards Mount Seir, his expression stern and determined. This isn't about wishing them ill; it's about confronting their opposition to God's people with divine judgment. It shows the seriousness and directness with which God wants His message delivered.
Why focus on Mount Seir, the land of Edom? The Bible often uses geographical locations to represent the people who live there.
When God tells Ezekiel to prophesy against 'Mount Seir,' He means the Edomites, the descendants of Esau. This mountain range, rugged and distinct, becomes a symbol of their entire nation and their historical animosity towards Israel. But it goes even deeper. The commentaries suggest that Edom here also represents all the nations and powers throughout history that have stood against God's chosen people. It's a symbol of persistent, defiant opposition to God's plan.
The command is clear: 'prophesy against it.' This is a declaration of impending doom, a message delivered with divine authority.
Ask a follow-up
This isn't merely a suggestion; it's a direct command from the LORD. Ezekiel's role is to be God's mouthpiece, to foretell the 'sad things' (as Poole puts it) that are coming upon Mount Seir. The context suggests that this prophecy is a significant part of God's larger plan to judge nations hostile to His people. It's a reminder that God sees the opposition to His covenant people and will ultimately bring His justice to bear, even against those who seem powerful.
Understand the original words
ben-adam · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title frequently used for the prophet Ezekiel, highlighting his humanity in contrast to the divine majesty of the one who speaks to him. It emphasizes the prophet's role as a representative of mankind before God.
sim panim · Hebrew Verb phrase
In a prophetic context, this signifies a posture of firm resolve, confrontation, and impending judgment directed toward a specific entity or person. It indicates that the prophet is to focus his entire attention on delivering a message of divine opposition.
har se'ir · Hebrew Proper Noun
The mountainous region inhabited by the Edomites (descendants of Esau). In the prophets, it serves as a representative of the enemies of God's people who harbored deep-seated hostility toward Israel.
Adonai Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The Sovereign Lord or Master; a title emphasizing God's absolute authority, lordship, and supreme right to command both his servants and the nations.
yad · Hebrew Noun
An anthropomorphic expression denoting God's active power and intervention in history to execute judgment or salvation. Stretching out the hand signifies the initiation of divine action against an object of judgment.
shemamah · Hebrew Noun
A state of total ruin, emptiness, and abandonment resulting from divine judgment. It describes a place stripped of life, security, and productivity due to sin.
This prophecy against Mount Seir (Edom) lands heavily in the context of Jerusalem's destruction. While addressing historical grievances, it also speaks to a timeless pattern of hostility against God's people, seen as representative of all earthly powers opposing God's kingdom.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar's forces deport Jews, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile, a period of intense hardship and disorientation for God's people.
c. 597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
More prominent Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, are exiled to Babylon. This event deeply impacts the morale and national identity of the Judean people.
c. 587-586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem, destroys the Temple, and exiles most of the remaining population. This catastrophic event is the backdrop against which Ezekiel delivers many of his prophecies.
c. 582 BC
Third Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar carries out another deportation of Judeans from the devastated land. The nation of Judah is effectively dismantled.
Unknown, but likely during the Babylonian Exile
Prophecy Against Mount Seir
Ezekiel receives a direct message from the Lord to prophesy against Mount Seir, the land of the Edomites. This prophecy addresses their long-standing enmity towards Israel.
Post-Exilic Period
Edomite Presence in Southern Judah
After the fall of Jerusalem, Edomites reportedly occupied parts of southern Judah, further increasing tensions and fueling resentment among the returning exiles.
This passage echoes Ezekiel's direct address and imagery, painting a picture of God's righteous judgment against His enemies, often personified by Edom.
Jeremiah 49:7This verse specifically pronounces judgment on Edom for their pride and perceived lack of wisdom, aligning with the prophetic condemnation found in Ezekiel.
Lamentations 4:21This lament expresses the deep sorrow and consequences of Edom's actions against Judah, highlighting the historical enmity that fuels the prophecies against Mount Seir.
Ezekiel 25:12This earlier prophecy against Edom by Ezekiel directly states vengeance for their treachery against Judah, providing context for the intensified judgment in chapter 35.
pulpitEzekiel 35:2: "Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it,"
Verse 2. - Set thy face against Mount Seir. The mountainous are in between the Dead Sea and the Elanitic Gulf, which formed the original settlement of Esau and his descendants (Genesis 36:9), is here put for the land of Edom, as the land in turn stands for its people (Ezekiel 25:8). Although already the prophet has pronounced a threatening doom against Edom (Ezekiel 25:12-14), he once more directs against, it…
jfbEzekiel 35:2: "Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it,"
- Mount Seir—that is, Idumea (Ge 36:9). Singled out as badly pre-eminent in its bitterness against God's people, to represent all their enemies everywhere and in all ages. So in Isa 34:5; 63:1-4, Edom, the region of the greatest enmity towards God's people, is the ideal scene of the final judgments of all God's foes. "Seir" means "shaggy," alluding to its rugged hills and forests.
Notice how Ezekiel is told to "set your face against" Mount Seir. This isn't just a location, but a deliberate, unwavering posture of opposition, signifying that Edom represents a deep-seated, enduring hostility against God's people, embodying all worldly opposition to His covenant plans.
After a series of prophecies against surrounding nations, God directs Ezekiel to turn his attention specifically to Mount Seir, the land of the Edomites, who were descendants of Esau and perpetual enemies of Israel. This isn't just about a historical grievance; Edom here represents all those who have consistently hated and opposed God's people throughout history. Ezekiel is to announce God's severe judgment against this region and its inhabitants, foreshadowing a future reckoning that goes beyond mere political defeat.
After a series of prophecies against surrounding nations, God directs Ezekiel to turn his attention specifically to Mount Seir, the land of the Edomites, who were descendants of Esau and perpetual enemies of Israel. This isn't just about a historical grievance; Edom here represents all those who have consistently hated and opposed God's people throughout history. Ezekiel is to announce God's severe judgment against this region and its inhabitants, foreshadowing a future reckoning that goes beyond mere political defeat.
"“Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir, and prophesy against it, and say to it, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will stretch out my hand against you, and I will make you a desolation and a waste." — Notice how Ezekiel is told to "set your face against" Mount Seir. This isn't just a location, but a deliberate, unwavering posture of opposition, signifying that Edom represents a deep-seated, enduri…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
