The phrase "with wholehearted joy and utter contempt" reveals that the nations, particularly Edom, didn't just want Israel's land; they reveled in its downfall and the Israelites' suffering, demonstrating a profound disrespect for God's chosen people and His sacred territory. This wasn't just a political land grab, but a deeply personal and hateful act that ignited God's fierce jealousy.
therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Surely I have spoken in my hot jealousy against the rest of the nations and against all Edom, who gave my land to themselves as a possession with wholehearted joy and utter contempt, that they might make its pasturelands a prey.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is declaring His fierce judgment against the surrounding nations, especially Edom, for their cruel rejoicing and contempt shown when they claimed Israel's land as their own. This comes after the prophecy against Mount Seir in chapter 35, highlighting Edom's deep-seated hatred and participation in Israel's downfall. The following verses will pivot to God's compassionate plan to restore and purify His own people and land.
When we hear 'jealousy,' we often think of petty envy. But what if God's jealousy is something far more powerful and just?
The verse speaks of the "fire of my jealousy." This isn't a human emotion of insecurity, but God's fierce, righteous opposition to anything that dishonors Him or harms His people. It's a burning zeal for His own glory and the well-being of those He loves.
Think of it like a protective parent watching someone threaten their child. The anger isn't selfish; it's a powerful, protective force.
God's jealousy here is directed at the nations who defiled His land and His people. Their actions weren't just political or territorial; they were an affront to God Himself.
The enemies didn't just take Israel's land; they did it with 'wholehearted joy and utter contempt.' What does this intense hatred reveal?
The nations, especially Edom, didn't just occupy the land; they reveled in its desecration. The Hebrew words used convey a deep-seated malice and a malicious delight in Israel's downfall.
This wasn't a neutral act of conquest. They possessed the land "with the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds." Imagine someone celebrating the destruction of something precious to you, not just taking it, but mocking its owner.
Their motive was to make "its pasturelands a prey" – to exploit and plunder, showing no respect for the land that God had designated as His own. This level of contempt highlights the severity of their sin against God and His people.
Understand the original words
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qin'ah · Hebrew Noun
A Hebrew concept of divine zeal or intense emotion regarding the protection of God's honor, covenant, and people, often appearing as righteous indignation against idols or oppressors.
erets · Hebrew Noun
A land specifically set apart by God for His people as a covenantal inheritance; it carries theological significance as the place of God's presence and blessing.
Ezekiel's prophecy addresses the Edomites' cruel exploitation of Judah during and after the Babylonian conquest. Their 'hot jealousy' and 'utter contempt' in seizing God's land for themselves fueled God's own righteous indignation and promise of future restoration for His people.
c. 840 BC
Edom's Disloyalty to Israel
During the reign of King Jehoram of Judah, the Edomites revolted and established their own kingdom, demonstrating deep-seated animosity towards their Israelite relatives.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonian army, led by Nebuchadnezzar, conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and deported most of the Judean population. Edomite forces aided the Babylonians and took advantage of the devastation.
Post-586 BC
Edomites Occupy Southern Judah
Following the destruction of Jerusalem, the Edomites moved into the southern territories of Judah, claiming them as their own with great joy and contempt for the displaced Judeans.
c. 550-539 BC
Rise of the Edomite Nation (Idumea)
The Edomites consolidated their control over southern Judah, which became known as Idumea, and continued to hold this territory, fostering a deep resentment from the exiled Judeans.
c. 538 BC
Return from Babylonian Exile
Cyrus the Great issued a decree allowing exiled Judeans to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple. However, many Judeans remained in exile, and those who returned found their land partially occupied.
This passage also speaks of God's 'jealousy' and 'wrath' as a fire that will consume the wicked, echoing the intensity of God's judgment described in Ezekiel 36:5.
Jeremiah 49:7-12These verses detail God's judgment against Edom for their pride and actions against their relatives, the Israelites, showing a consistent prophetic theme of divine reckoning for Edom's mistreatment of God's people and land.
Psalm 137:7This psalm expresses the bitterness of exile and directly calls for vengeance against the Edomites who rejoiced and participated in the destruction of Jerusalem, aligning with the 'joy of all their heart' and 'utter contempt' mentioned in Ezekiel.
Romans 12:19While a New Testament passage, it echoes the sentiment of divine justice, telling believers not to take revenge themselves but to 'leave it to the wrath of God,' reflecting the principle that God will ultimately judge those who mistreat His people and His heritage.
pulpitEzekiel 36:5: "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey."
Verse 5. - Surely. אִם־לא, the particle of adjuration, as in Ezekiel 5:11; Ezekiel 33:27; Ezekiel 34:8; Ezekiel 38:19. The fire of my jealousy. Zephaniah (Zephaniah 1:18; Zephaniah 3:8) uses the same phrase…
jfbEzekiel 36:5: "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey."
- to cast it out for a prey—that is, to take the land for a prey, its inhabitants being cast out. Or the land is compared to a prey cast forth to wild beasts. Fairbairn needlessly alters the Hebrew pointin…
The phrase "with wholehearted joy and utter contempt" reveals that the nations, particularly Edom, didn't just want Israel's land; they reveled in its downfall and the Israelites' suffering, demonstrating a profound disrespect for God's chosen people and His sacred territory. This wasn't just a political land grab, but a deeply personal and hateful act that ignited God's fierce jealousy.
God is declaring His fierce judgment against the surrounding nations, especially Edom, for their cruel rejoicing and contempt shown when they claimed Israel's land as their own. This comes after the prophecy against Mount Seir in chapter 35, highlighting Edom's deep-seated hatred and participation in Israel's downfall. The following verses will pivot to God's compassionate plan to restore and purify His own people and land.
God is declaring His fierce judgment against the surrounding nations, especially Edom, for their cruel rejoicing and contempt shown when they claimed Israel's land as their own. This comes after the prophecy against Mount Seir in chapter 35, highlighting Edom's deep-seated hatred and participation in Israel's downfall. The following verses will pivot to God's compassionate plan to restore and purify His own people and land.
"therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Surely I have spoken in my hot jealousy against the rest of the nations and against all Edom, who gave my land to themselves as a possession with wholehearted joy and utter contempt, that they might make i…" — The phrase "with wholehearted joy and utter contempt" reveals that the nations, particularly Edom, didn't just want Israel's land; they reveled in its downfall and the Israelites' suffering, demonstr…
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Last reviewed October 2026
