Ezekiel 35:3
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)
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The force of this judgment isn't just divine punishment, but God making his presence and power undeniably known to Seir. By stretching out His hand, God isn't just acting against them, but making His irresistible power visible and personal to them, resulting in their utter desolation. This isn't a distant decree, but a direct confrontation where God's might becomes their inescapable reality.
This prophecy comes after God has detailed the judgment against other nations for their cruelty, especially towards His people during the Babylonian exile. Ezekiel is now directed to pronounce a specific, severe judgment against Mount Seir (Edom), who reveled in the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of the Israelites. This pronouncement is the beginning of a direct confrontation with Edom, declaring God's personal opposition and intent to utterly devastate their land as a consequence of their vindictiveness.
When God declares Himself 'against' someone, it's not a suggestion or a warning. It's the ultimate, irreversible verdict. How can we grasp the weight of this divine opposition?
The phrase "I am against you" isn't just a statement of disapproval; it's a declaration of war. In Ezekiel's time, and still today, when the Lord says He is against a nation or an individual, it means His full power and authority are mobilized for judgment.
The Power of God's Hand
Ezekiel emphasizes this with "I will stretch out my hand against you." This isn't a hesitant gesture. It signifies God's active, irresistible force coming down to bring about His decree. It’s the Almighty intervening directly, leaving no room for escape or appeal.
This isn't a casual judgment, but a devastating one, leading to utter ruin. The purpose is to make the object of His judgment "a desolation and a waste," a stark testament to the consequences of standing in opposition to the Creator.
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Why would God declare such intense opposition against Mount Seir? The reason is deeply personal and has everything to do with how they treated His chosen people.
The intense judgment described against Mount Seir (Edom) is not arbitrary. It's directly linked to their historical and ongoing animosity towards Israel, God's covenant people. While Ezekiel is prophesying during Israel's exile, the Edomites' actions during that crisis—likely rejoicing in Jerusalem's downfall and possibly even aiding the Babylonians—ignited God's righteous anger.
A Pattern of Antagonism
This wasn't a new offense. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, had a long-standing rivalry with Jacob (Israel). Their opposition often stemmed from jealousy and a desire to see Israel brought low. God's judgment, therefore, is a response to their attacks on His people and, by extension, against Himself.
It highlights a crucial theological point: mistreating God's people is seen by God as mistreating Him. The severity of the desolation is a direct consequence of their actions against those He had chosen.
Understand the original words
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) comes in the direct aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction. Edom's long-standing enmity, and particularly their gloating and participation in the plundering of Judah during the fall of Jerusalem, sealed their fate for this harsh divine judgment.
c. 840 BC
Edomites Rebel Against Judah
During the reign of King Jehoram of Judah, the Edomites revolted and established their own king, severing ties with Judah and fostering animosity.
701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
The Assyrian Empire under Sennacherib invaded Judah. While Jerusalem was spared, many other Judean cities were conquered, and the Edomites likely benefited from Judah's weakened state.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered Judah and deported a portion of its elite to Babylon. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Another wave of exiles was taken to Babylon, including King Jehoiachin and prominent citizens. The Babylonian grip on Judah tightened.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, ending the kingdom of Judah. Many Judeans were killed or exiled, and the Edomites were noted for their hostile actions during this catastrophe.
c. 580 BC
Prophecies Against Edom
The prophet Ezekiel delivers prophecies, including chapter 35, directly condemning Mount Seir (Edom) for its actions against Judah during the Babylonian conquest and promising divine judgment.
c. 5th century BC
Edomite Displacement
Following the Babylonian exile, the Edomites expanded their territory northwards into southern Judah, displacing the remaining Judean population. This encroachment further fueled the prophetic condemnations.
This passage describes God's judgment against Edom (Mount Seir) for their pride and mistreatment of their relatives, the Israelites, paralleling Ezekiel's prophecy of desolation.
Obadiah 1:1-16The Book of Obadiah is a direct oracle against Edom, echoing the themes of divine judgment, destruction, and their sin of rejoicing over Judah's downfall, similar to Ezekiel 35.
Psalm 137:7This psalm expresses the deep hurt and desire for retribution against the Edomites who participated in Jerusalem's destruction, reflecting the historical enmity that underlies God's judgment in Ezekiel 35.
Isaiah 63:1-6This prophecy speaks of a mighty warrior coming from Edom, whose garments are stained red with judgment, vividly illustrating the consequence of God's hand stretching out against those who oppose Him and His people.
gillEzekiel 35:3: "And say unto it, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O mount Seir, I am against thee, and I will stretch out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate."
And say unto it, thus saith the Lord God,.... The prophet was not upon the spot, and could not direct his speech immediately to the Edomites; but he might send this prophecy to their ambassadors at Babylon; or in a letter to them in their own land, in the name of the Lord: behold, O Mount Seir, I am against thee: no…
clarkeEzekiel 35:3: "And say unto it, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O mount Seir, I am against thee, and I will stretch out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate."
Most desolate - Literally, "A desolation and a wilderness."
The force of this judgment isn't just divine punishment, but God making his presence and power undeniably known to Seir. By stretching out His hand, God isn't just acting against them, but making His irresistible power visible and personal to them, resulting in their utter desolation. This isn't a distant decree, but a direct confrontation where God's might becomes their inescapable reality.
This prophecy comes after God has detailed the judgment against other nations for their cruelty, especially towards His people during the Babylonian exile. Ezekiel is now directed to pronounce a specific, severe judgment against Mount Seir (Edom), who reveled in the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of the Israelites. This pronouncement is the beginning of a direct confrontation with Edom, declaring God's personal opposition and intent to utterly devastate their land as a consequence of their vindictiveness.
This prophecy comes after God has detailed the judgment against other nations for their cruelty, especially towards His people during the Babylonian exile. Ezekiel is now directed to pronounce a specific, severe judgment against Mount Seir (Edom), who reveled in the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of the Israelites. This pronouncement is the beginning of a direct confrontation with Edom, declaring God's personal opposition and intent to utterly devastate their land as a consequence of their vindictiveness.
"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." — The force of this judgment isn't just divine punishment, but God making his presence and power undeniably known to Seir. By stretching out His hand, God isn't just acting against them, but making H…
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