Ezekiel 35:5-6
Because you cherished perpetual enmity and gave over the people of Israel to the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, at the time of their final punishment, therefore, as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will prepare you for blood, and blood shall pursue you; because you did not hate bloodshed, therefore blood shall pursue you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The phrase "time that their iniquity had an end" doesn't mean Israel's sin suddenly stopped, but rather it points to the moment their punishment, triggered by their iniquity, reached its peak. This highlights the Edomites' cruel joy and active participation in Israel's deepest despair, a profound betrayal that God wouldn't overlook.
God's prophet is declaring a judgment against Edom, the descendants of Esau, for their deep-seated and ongoing hatred of Israel, Jacob's descendants. This ancient animosity flared up particularly during Jerusalem's destruction, when Edom not only rejoiced but actively participated in the slaughter and suffering of their Israelite kin. This verse lays out Edom's sin: a persistent, cruel enmity that manifested in bloodshed precisely when Israel was at its lowest point, facing the ultimate consequences of their own disobedience.
Why does the Bible call Edom's hatred 'perpetual'? It wasn't just a passing spat, but a deep-seated animosity with roots stretching back to the very beginning.
The verse highlights a 'perpetual hatred' that the people of Edom (descendants of Esau) held against Israel (descendants of Jacob).
A Sibling Rivalry Gone Wrong
This wasn't a sudden outburst. The commentary points to a long-standing feud stemming from the tension between the twin brothers Esau and Jacob, even before their birth. This historical animosity festered over generations, creating a deep-seated enmity.
More Than Just Disagreement
This 'perpetual hatred' meant that whenever Israel faced trouble, Edom didn't just stand by; they actively intensified the suffering. It was a profound and unrelenting opposition, fueled by ancient grievances.
When Israel was at their lowest, Edom didn't offer comfort. Instead, they delivered them over to destruction. What does this tell us about their actions and motives?
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Ezekiel 35:5-6 is available in the Sola app.
The verse describes Edom actively participating in Israel's downfall during their time of greatest weakness.
Aiding the Enemy
Edom didn't just watch Israel fall; they 'gave them over to the power of the sword.' This implies they actively assisted the enemies of Israel or directly attacked those fleeing, ensuring their demise. The imagery suggests they 'poured out' or delivered their neighbors into the hands of their destroyers.
The 'Time of Their Iniquity's End'
This act of cruelty occurred 'in the time of their calamity, in the time that their iniquity had an end.' This refers to the period when Jerusalem was destroyed and the people of Israel faced their ultimate judgment for their sins. Edom's sin was not only their hatred but their cruel participation in Israel's divinely ordained punishment.
Understand the original words
eyvah olam · Hebrew Noun phrase
A deep-seated, ongoing, and ancient hostility or hatred. It refers to a settled disposition of malice that persists over time, especially toward God’s people.
ed · Hebrew Noun
A time of severe trial, catastrophe, or disaster. It refers to the moments when a person or nation is brought to the brink of ruin, often as a result of divine judgment or historical conflict.
avon qetz · Hebrew Noun phrase
The concluding period of divine discipline or retribution. It signifies that God's patience has ended and the final measure of justice is being enacted upon the rebellious.
ḥay-ʾǎnî · Hebrew Phrase (Verb + Pronoun)
An oath formula used by God, affirming His eternal existence, character, and the absolute certainty of His decreed word. It underscores that because God is the living, active Sovereign, His promises and judgments will inevitably come to pass.
dām · Hebrew Noun
Life-blood, often associated with murder, violence, or sacrificial atonement. In a legal context, it refers to the penalty for the taking of human life, signifying divine retribution for shedding innocent blood.
This passage in Ezekiel directly addresses the Edomites' brutal actions and deep-seated hatred shown towards Israel during the devastating fall of Jerusalem, a historical event that solidified their guilt in God's eyes.
c. 1750 BC
Jacob and Esau's Conflict
The ancient rivalry between the twin brothers Jacob and Esau, representing Israel and Edom respectively, is established, setting a precedent for future enmity.
c. 8th Century BC
Amos Condemns Edom
The prophet Amos denounces the Edomites for their perpetual hatred and brutal actions against the people of Israel, highlighting their long-standing hostility.
c. 587-586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and carry many Israelites into exile. The Edomites actively participated in or supported this destruction.
c. 586 BC
Edomite Cruelty During Exile
During the final calamity and punishment of Jerusalem, the Edomites not only rejoiced but actively aided their enemies by killing escaping Israelites and taking spoils.
c. 580 BC
Obadiah Prophesies Against Edom
The prophet Obadiah delivers a prophecy of judgment specifically against Edom for their actions during Jerusalem's fall, emphasizing their wicked rejoicing and betrayal.
This passage directly parallels the enmity of Edom towards Israel, highlighting how they acted against their 'brother' Jacob, mirroring the 'perpetual enmity' described in Ezekiel.
Psalm 137:7This psalm echoes the sentiment of Edom's cruelty during Jerusalem's fall, specifically mentioning them as rejoicing and urging their destruction, which aligns with Ezekiel's accusation of aiding the sword.
Jeremiah 18:21This verse from Jeremiah speaks of a 'perpetual hatred' and a desire to 'pour out' or scatter, which is conceptually similar to how Ezekiel describes Edom's actions against Israel with the sword during their calamity.
Genesis 27:41This foundational text in Genesis describes the origin of Esau's (Edom's) hatred for Jacob (Israel) due to the stolen birthright and blessing, providing the historical root for the 'perpetual enmity' mentioned in Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 25:12This verse from the same chapter in Ezekiel describes a similar 'vengeance' and 'dealing' against Edom due to their 'perpetual enmity' and how they 'avenged themselves' on Judah, showing a consistent theme of this deep-seated hostility.
gillEzekiel 35:5: "Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time that their iniquity had an end:"
Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred,.... There was an old grudge and enmity subsisting in the posterity of Esau against the posterity of Jacob, because the latter supplanted the former, and got the birthright and blessing from him; and which was discovered in all ages, and at all oppo…
barnesEzekiel 35:5: "Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time that their iniquity had an end:"
Shed blood - Omit "blood:" better as in the margin, i. e., and hast given up the children of Israel to the sword; thou hast scattered the children of Israel in confusion like stones poured down a mountain-side Micah 1:6 . That their iniquity had an end - Or, "of the iniquity of the end," i…
The phrase "time that their iniquity had an end" doesn't mean Israel's sin suddenly stopped, but rather it points to the moment their punishment, triggered by their iniquity, reached its peak. This highlights the Edomites' cruel joy and active participation in Israel's deepest despair, a profound betrayal that God wouldn't overlook.
God's prophet is declaring a judgment against Edom, the descendants of Esau, for their deep-seated and ongoing hatred of Israel, Jacob's descendants. This ancient animosity flared up particularly during Jerusalem's destruction, when Edom not only rejoiced but actively participated in the slaughter and suffering of their Israelite kin. This verse lays out Edom's sin: a persistent, cruel enmity that manifested in bloodshed precisely when Israel was at its lowest point, facing the ultimate consequences of their own disobedience.
God's prophet is declaring a judgment against Edom, the descendants of Esau, for their deep-seated and ongoing hatred of Israel, Jacob's descendants. This ancient animosity flared up particularly during Jerusalem's destruction, when Edom not only rejoiced but actively participated in the slaughter and suffering of their Israelite kin. This verse lays out Edom's sin: a persistent, cruel enmity that manifested in bloodshed precisely when Israel was at its lowest point, facing the ultimate consequences of their own disobedience.
"Because you cherished perpetual enmity and gave over the people of Israel to the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, at the time of their final punishment, therefore, as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will prepare you for b…" — The phrase "time that their iniquity had an end" doesn't mean Israel's sin suddenly stopped, but rather it points to the moment their punishment, triggered by their iniquity, reached its peak. This h…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
