Ezekiel 35:5-6
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What's striking here is that Edom didn't just hate Israel; they "cherished" this hatred, actively delighting in their downfall and adding to their suffering. This wasn't just a passive dislike, but an active embrace of animosity, especially at Israel's moment of deepest crisis.
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)
The prophet Ezekiel is delivering a fierce oracle against Mount Seir, the land of Edom, for their ancient and deep-seated hatred towards Israel. This verse specifically details their cruelty during Jerusalem's downfall, when they not only rejoiced but actively participated in the destruction and slaughter of escaping Israelites, exacerbating the suffering of a people already facing divine judgment. Their actions are condemned as a culmination of their persistent animosity, occurring precisely when Israel’s punishment seemed complete.
Some hurts go bone-deep, passed down through generations. Edom's ancient feud with Israel wasn't just a passing spat; it was a defining characteristic.
The verse calls out Edom's "perpetual hatred" towards Israel. This wasn't a casual dislike; it was a deep-seated, ongoing animosity stemming from the conflict between their ancestors, Esau and Jacob.
This constant enmity meant Edom looked for any opportunity to strike, especially when Israel was weak. Their hatred wasn't just internal; it fueled destructive actions that compounded Israel's suffering.
Think of it like an inherited grudge – a bitterness passed down that poisons relationships and drives destructive behavior, even centuries later.
When others are at their lowest, what do you do? Edom didn't offer comfort; they delivered their neighbors to the sword.
The verse vividly describes Edom's actions during Israel's "calamity" and "final punishment." Instead of showing compassion, they actively participated in Israel's destruction.
The original wording suggests not just killing, but actively 'pouring out' or scattering the people into the hands of the sword – as if handing them over to a devouring enemy. This was a malicious act of exacerbating suffering when Israel was already facing severe judgment.
This action reveals a profound lack of empathy and a willingness to profit from or contribute to the downfall of others, especially those who were once kin.
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Every action has a consequence, and for Israel, their 'iniquity' had reached a breaking point. Edom's cruelty only sealed their own doom.
The phrase "in the time that their iniquity had an end" refers to the moment when Israel's sin had reached its full measure, leading to the final judgment and the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.
Instead of recognizing this as a consequence of sin, Edom saw it as an opportunity for malice. Their own actions, however, were compounding their guilt. By exulting in and contributing to the suffering of God's people during their judgment, Edom was not only acting cruelly but was also adding to their own "iniquity" that would eventually lead to their own downfall.
This highlights a crucial theological point: while God uses even wicked nations to enact judgment, those who actively participate in cruelty and hatred towards His people during their chastisement face their own divine reckoning.
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.
Ezekiel's prophecy against Edom in chapter 35 directly addresses their hostile actions during the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. This historical context, steeped in generations of animosity, reveals Edom's opportunistic cruelty and gloating as a culmination of their 'perpetual hatred' and a primary reason for God's judgment.
c. 9th-8th century BC
Ancient Feud Between Edom and Israel
Hereditary enmity between the Edomites (descendants of Esau) and the Israelites (descendants of Jacob) existed from the time of their ancestors, fueled by sibling rivalry over birthright and blessing.
Late 8th century BC
Amos Denounces Edom
The prophet Amos specifically condemns Edom for its perpetual hatred and violence against the people of Israel, highlighting their unforgiving animosity.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem, marking the end of the southern kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian exile for many Israelites.
During the Babylonian Exile (586 BC onward)
Edom's Complicity in Jerusalem's Fall
Edomites exulted over Jerusalem's destruction, actively aided the Babylonians by slaughtering escaping Israelites, and seized abandoned Judean territory.
c. 585 BC
Obadiah Condemns Edom
The prophet Obadiah delivers a prophecy against Edom for their cruel actions and gloating during Jerusalem's downfall, promising divine retribution.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment of perpetual enmity, stating 'Because of violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever.'
Psalm 137:7This psalm speaks to the Edomites' role in Jerusalem's downfall, crying out 'Remember, O LORD, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem, when they said, 'Tear it down! Tear it down!'
Ezekiel 25:12This verse reveals a similar judgment against Edom for acting as an enemy against Judah, stating 'because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah, incurring grievous guilt.'
Genesis 27:41This passage highlights the ancient roots of Edom's hatred toward Jacob, noting that 'Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him.'
Ezekiel 21:25This verse provides context for 'the time of their final punishment,' referring to the prophesied overthrow of the ungodly kingdom when iniquity reaches its culmination.
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…
What's striking here is that Edom didn't just hate Israel; they "cherished" this hatred, actively delighting in their downfall and adding to their suffering. This wasn't just a passive dislike, but an active embrace of animosity, especially at Israel's moment of deepest crisis.
The prophet Ezekiel is delivering a fierce oracle against Mount Seir, the land of Edom, for their ancient and deep-seated hatred towards Israel. This verse specifically details their cruelty during Jerusalem's downfall, when they not only rejoiced but actively participated in the destruction and slaughter of escaping Israelites, exacerbating the suffering of a people already facing divine judgment. Their actions are condemned as a culmination of their persistent animosity, occurring precisely when Israel’s punishment seemed complete.
The prophet Ezekiel is delivering a fierce oracle against Mount Seir, the land of Edom, for their ancient and deep-seated hatred towards Israel. This verse specifically details their cruelty during Jerusalem's downfall, when they not only rejoiced but actively participated in the destruction and slaughter of escaping Israelites, exacerbating the suffering of a people already facing divine judgment. Their actions are condemned as a culmination of their persistent animosity, occurring precisely when Israel’s punishment seemed complete.
"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…" — What's striking here is that Edom didn't just hate Israel; they "cherished" this hatred, actively delighting in their downfall and adding to their suffering. This wasn't just a passive dislike, but a…
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Last reviewed October 2026
