Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 35

Verses 1-15

Edom Destroyed (35:1-15)

Edom, who was guilty of a "perpetual enmity" against Judah, is marked for destruction because she has taken advantage of Judah in the time of that nation’s calamity. The prophet had already discussed Edom (Ezekiel 25:12-14) but apparently felt that her crimes were so scarlet as to require more detailed treatment. Traditionally descended from Esau, the twin brother of Jacob from whose lineage the Israelites came, Edom had long been despised by them. Other prophets bore the same grudge against "Mount Seir," an alternate name for Edom (Isaiah 34:1-17; Jeremiah 49:7-22; Malachi 1:2-5; Obadiah 1:1-14).

The crime of which Edom is accused is that of "perpetual enmity." That nation, out of the desire to possess for herself the territory of both Israel and Judah, took advantage of fallen Judah (vs. 10). On the occasion of Jerusalem’s fall Edom had said, "They are laid desolate, they are given us to devour" (vs. 12b). In this oracle there is a mixture of indictment and announcement of judgment which leads one to think that the chapter is a collection of short sayings about Edom with editorial binders. Edom will be repaid in precisely the same coin that she gave. Our judgments against others are frequently made into boomerangs by the hand of the Lord. A later Voice made this fact of life very clear when he said that according as we measure, we ourselves shall be measured (Matthew 7:1-2).