Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 35

Verse 1

Eze 35:1-2. For some time the prrphet has been writing against the wicked men in the nation of the Jews, especially the leaders among them. Now a chapter is given to Edom or Seir and certain condemnations will be uttered against that nation because of its hatred for God’s people. Set thy face against means for Ezekiel Lo turn his attention against the nation that had disrespected God’s people.

Verse 3

Eze 35:3. Mount Seir is a geographical term and refers to a tract of land lying east of the Dead Sea. It is often mentioned by name of Edom because the Edomites occupied that land for many years. Eze 35:4 Eze 35:4. The prophet was told to predict a desolation for that land. A brief condemnation was made against it in chapter 25: 12-14, but a more detailed prediction is made here before the interests of Palestine are to receive further attention.

Verse 5

Eze 35:5. Edom had cherished ft hatred against Israel for a long time and had been constant (perpetual) in it. He had shown that hatred by shedding the blood of the children of Israel. What made, the mistreatment of Israel worse was the fact that the heathen nation took advantage of them in times of calamity.

Verse 6

Eze 35:6. Sith is an old rendering of a word that means "since” or any other word with a similar bearing. The verse means that since or inasmuch as the Edomites seemed to welcome bloodshed, the Lord will impose upon them an abundant share of it.

Verse 7

Eze 35:7. Cut off . . . passeth out . . . returneth means the land will be made so desolate that it will put a stop to coming and going. There will be nothing to encourage any kind of traffic and hence it will cease to be done.

Verse 8

Eze 35:8. Of course this verse is a strong statement not to be taken literally. The meaning is that dead men will be seen in all the places named.

Verse 9

Eze 35:9. Since the hatred of Edom for God's people was perpetual, so the desolation of the country was to be permanent. The purpose of such a chastisement was to make the people of the land know that I am the Lori.

Verse 10

Eze 35:10. The two nations and tioo countries refers to Judah and Israel, into which the Jews were divided after the death of Solomon (1 Kings 12), Edom was vain enough .to think he could possess the lands of those contries. Whereas the Lord was there is the expression or comment of the prophet. It is Ezekiel saying, "Edom thought he could take that land, which was impossible since the Lord was there.”

Verse 11

Eze 35:11. God proposed to deal with the Edomites according to the anger which they had shown toward His people. His judgments against these enemies of the Israelites will be a demonstration of the divine power.

Verse 12

Eze 35:12, The things the Edomites had said about the land of Israel might all have been true, but their motive in saying them was displeasing to God. He never would tolerate a spirit of triumph against His people no matter how much they deserved the chastisement or misfortunes. And such an attitude would be doubly offensive if it was claimed that the loss or misfortunes were brought for the benefit of the foes.

Verse 13

Eze 35:13. Boasted means the Edomites had magnified their own importance. They did that when they made the claim expressed by the closing statement of the preceding verse. I have heard them- is a significant fact. God is everywhere with his infinite knowledge and will bring to account all the thoughts and words of wicked men.

Verse 14

Eze 35:14, The whole earth was to rejoice at the desolation of Edom.

Verse 15

Eze 35:15. This verse repeats the thoughts of the preceding one. It should not be regarded in the sense of "returning evil for evil” or as an act of retaliation, but as a just punishment of Edom for his wicked attitude toward God’s people. Seir and Idumea are names that applied to the land occupied by the Edomites, the second word being another form of Edom.