Ezequiel 25
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Ezequiel 25
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO CHAPTERS 25-32 There is a subject unity (judgment on these nations) to these chapters, but not a genre uniformity. Also note the different dates. 9 th year, 10 month, 10th day, Ezek. 24:1 (may cover chapter 25) 11 th year, 1st month , 1st day , Ezek. 26:1 10 th year, 10 th month, 12th day, Ezek. 29:1 27 th year, 1 st month, 1st day, Ezek. 29:17 11 th year, 1 st month, 7th day, Ezek. 30:20 11 th th year, 3 rd month, 1st day, Ezek. 31:1 12 th year, 12 th month, 1st day, Ezek. 32:1 12 th year, 12 th month, 15th day, Ezek. 32:17 This clearly demonstrates that the literary unit (Ezek. 25-32) was an edited collection. By whom and when is uncertain. The oracles against the nations (see D.) are characteristic of Hebrew Prophetic Literature. Isaiah 13-21, 23, 24 Jeremiah 46-51 Ezekiel 25-32, 35, 38-39 Amos 1-2 Joel 3:1-16 Zephaniah 2:1-3:5 Nations to Be Judged by YHWH Isaiah 13-21, 23, 24 Jeremiah 46-51 Ezekiel 25-32, 35, 38-39 Amos 1-2 Babylon Philistia Moab Syria Ethiopia Egypt Edom Arabia Phoenicia the nations Egypt Philistia Moab Edom Syria Hazor Elam Babylon Ammon Moab Edom Philistia Phoenicia Egypt Babylon Assyria Elam Meshech Tubal (Turkey) Syria Philistia Phoenicia Ammon Moab Judah Israel The nations listed in chapter 25 tried to get Judah to rebel against Neo-Babylon (cf. Jeremiah 27), but in the end, they benefitted, even participated in, Judah's fall (cf. 2 Kgs. 24:1-2). Theological Issues The judgment oracles on surrounding nations and world powers of the Ancient Near East (ANE) accentuate the power, glory, and uniqueness of Israel's God (i.e. monotheism; see Special Topic: Monotheism). They show that YHWH has a larger purpose for a repentant Judah. Ezekiel's prophesies of a restored, glorified temple was a way of asserting a future hope and purpose for Israel (i.e. the Messiah). The first temple became corrupt (cf. Ezek. 8-10) and YHWH left, but a future temple is promised (Ezek. 40-48). The messages of doom on the pagan nations were Ezekiel's first message of hope for God's exiled people after the exiles heard of Jerusalem's demise (cf. Ezek. 24:25-27). The book of Jonah is also a condemnation of a foreign oppressor nation (i.e. Assyria). Yet, it functioned theologically as YHWH's willingness to accept the repentance of the pagan nations (i.e. Isa. 19:23,24-25). The reality of Gen. 12:3 is being fulfilled! Special Topic: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan
Ezequiel 25:1-7
25:1 "And the word of the Lord came to me saying. . ." This is the characteristic literary marker that a new oracle is beginning. It is surprising that a date does not appear here, as it does in Ezek. 26:1 and 24:1. This causes the interpreter to ask if chapters 24-25 form a literary unit. From content it seems that these chapters form a unit of pronouncements regarding YHWH's coming judgment on the surrounding nations. 25:2 "set your face toward" This IMPERATIVE (BDB 967, KB 1321, Qal IMPERTAIVE) is a standard idiom of judgment (cf. Ezek. 15:7; Lev. 20:5; 26:17; Jer. 21:10; 44:11; Amos 9:4). See note at Ezek. 6:2; also note Ezek. 13:17; 20:46; 21:2; 25:2; 28:21; 29:2; 35:2; 38:2. ▣ "Ammon" All three trans-Jordan nations were relatives of Israel, Edom through Esau (cf. Gen. 36:1) and Ammon and Moab through Lot (cf. Gen. 19:37-38). Ammon was located south of the Jabbok River and another boundary somewhere north of the Arnon River. Special Topic: Ammon ▣ "prophesy" This is a second IMPERATIVE (BDB 612, KB 659, Niphal IMPERATIVE, cf. Ezek. 4:7; 6:2; 11:4; 13:2,17; 21:2,7; 25:2; 28:21; 29:2; 34:2; 35:2; 36:6; 38:2; 39:1). After the fall of Jerusalem, Ezekiel now proclaims YHWH's judgment on the surrounding nations who supported or maybe were directly involved in Jerusalem's demise (cf. Jer. 49:1-6; Amos 1:13-15; Zeph. 2:8-9). Herodutus specifically mentions Nebuchadnezzar's devastation of the trans-jordan area in 582 B.C. Josephus mentions that it occurred five years after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. 25:3 "Hear" This is the third opening IMPERATIVE (BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal IMPERATIVE) in this section. One wonders if any of these nations ever heard these prophecies. They were addressed to them, but obviously they were directed toward the exiles. They demonstrate that YHWH is a universal God YHWH is no respecter of persons YHWH will punish sin YHWH's word does come to pass YHWH's ultimate will will be accomplished Special Topic: Listen/Hear (Shema) ▣ "Aha" This INTERJECTION expresses the joy of the Ammonites (cf. Ps. 35:21,25; 40:15-16; Isa. 44:16; Ezek. 25:3; 26:2; 36:2), which is defined in Ezek. 25:6. They rejoiced over the sanctuary being profaned the land of Israel made desolate the house of Judah sent into exile They may have participated in this exile (cf. 2 Kgs. 24:1-2). 25:4 "I am going to give you" The VERB (BDB 678, KB 733, Qal PARTICIPLE, in Ezek. 25:10 Qal PERFECT with waw) is used in Ezek. 11:15 (Niphal PERFECT) of Canaan being given to YHWH's covenant people, but because of their sin, the land will now be given to "the sons of the east." This is similar to Canaan originally being taken away from the ten nations and given to Israel (cf. Gen. 15:12-21). ▣ "the sons of the east" This phrase occurs several times with several possible meanings. warriors, Ezek. 25:10; Jdg. 6:3,33 wisemen, 1 Kgs. 4:30 future relatives (i.e. Syria), Gen. 29:1 nomadic Arabs from northern Arabia (Jer. 49:28) Here it refers to Neo-Babylon, which is beyond Syria. Ezekiel has predicted that YHWH will judge His people with an "east wind" (cf. Ezek. 17:10; 19:12; note Isa. 27:8). Special Topic: East Wind ▣ "they will eat your fruit and drink your milk" This phrase is similar to Deut. 28:33, which describes Israel's fate if she does not keep YHWH's covenant (cf. Isa. 1:7). These terms are normally a prayer of thanksgiving (i.e. Ps. 128:2; Isa. 3:10), but here it is a curse. Special Topic: Keep Special Topic: Covenant 25:5 "Rabbah" This is the capital of Ammon located on the Wadi Amman, which becomes the Jabbok River. This water source was the key to the city's continuity. It is the capital of the nation of Jordan today, Amman. ▣ "a pasture for camel. . .a resting place for flocks" This is a way of predicting the nation's depopulation, only nomadic herdsmen will be there for short periods (cf. Isa. 27:10). The term "resting place" (BDB 918) is found only here and in Zeph. 2:5 where it is used of wild beasts. This judged place was so dry that it could only be used for grazing at certain brief times of the year. 25:6 The physical gestures of "clapping hands" and "stomping feet" can be understood as a way of expressing joy or approval (cf. Ezek. 6:11; Nahum 3:19). In this context Ammon rejoiced at Judah's demise (and may have participated in it, cf. 2 Kgs. 24:1-2). Special Topic: Clap Your Hands 25:7 "I have stretched out My hand against you" This is another idiom of judgment (cf. Exod. 7:5; 15:6,12; Isa. 5:25; 9:12,17,21; 10:4; 14:27; 23:11; Jer. 6:12; 15:6; 51:25; Ezek. 6:14; 14:13; 20:33,34; 25:7,13; 35:3; Zeph. 1:4; 2:13). Special Topic: Hand Special Topic: Anthropomorphic Language to Describe Deity ▣ "I shall give you for spoil to the nations" Spoil (BDB 103) refers to the property of conquered nations, including even their own people (i.e. Num. 31:32-40). This term is found several times in Ezekiel (cf. Ezek. 25:7; 26:5; 29:19; 36:4; 38:12,13). The MT has a word that is unknown. This has been emended by changing one consonant. "spoil" ‒ בז (BDB 103; Qere) from ‒ בג (BDB 93) Notice the things YHWH says He will do to Ammon. stretched out His hand against them gave them for spoil to the nations cut them off from the peoples made them perish from the lands destroyed them (cf. Ezek. 25:10) Ammon will be no more! This is surprising in light of Jer. 49:6 (and Moab's restoration in Jer. 48:47). This may have an eschatological orientation or simply a poetic hyperbole.
Ezequiel 25:8-11
25:8-11 This chapter addresses Ammon, Ezek. 25:1-7 Moab, Ezek. 25:8-11 Edom, Ezek. 25:12-14 Philistia, Ezek. 25:15-17 ▣ "Moab" This is another trans-Jordan country from Lot's incestuous children by his own daughters (cf. Genesis 19). There are several prophecies against Moab (cf. Num. 21:27-30; Isaiah 15-16; Jeremiah 48; Amos 2:1-3; Zeph. 2:8-11). Moab's boundaries are from the Arnon River to the Brook Zered. Special Topic: Moab ▣ "Seir" This (BDB 973) refers to a mountain range running parallel to the Arabah (see The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, vol. 5, pp. 329-330). It was originally the homeland of Horite settlers (cf. Gen. 36:20-30), but they were defeated by Esau (cf. Deut. 2:12,22). Therefore, "Seir," "Mount Seir," became ways of referring to Edomites (cf. 2 Chr. 20:10; 25:11). Edom is located south of the Brook Zered and extends down the eastern side of the Arabah. Special Topic: Edom and Israel 25:8 "the house of Judah is like all the nations" This statement, in one sense, was surely true. Judah had taken up the Canaanite religion. In another sense the phrase depreciates Judah's unique relationship with YHWH (i.e. Gen. 12:1-3; Exod. 19:4-5). These trans-jordan relative nations saw nothing different, unique, or respectable in Judah or her God. It is also possible that Marduk (i.e. chief god of Babylon) was seen as being stronger than the gods of the nations which were conquered. It was Judah's military defeat that precipitated the accusations and slurs. Special Topic: Marduk 25:9 "Beth-jeshimoth" This Moabite city was located on the eastern side of the Jordan in the ancient tribal allocation of Reuben (cf. Josh. 12:3; 13:20). The name means "place of the desert" (BDB 111). ▣ "Baal-meon" This Moabite city was also located in the ancient tribal allocation of Reuben (cf. Num. 32:28; Josh. 13:17; also note Jer. 48:23). Note it carries the name of the Canaanite male fertility deity. ▣ "Kiriathaim" This is also a Moabite town in the tribal allocation of Reuben (cf. Num. 32:37; Josh. 13:19), located on the tableland. It is also mentioned in YHWH's judgment on Moab in Jer. 48:1. 25:10 "Ammon may not be remembered among the nations" The VERB (BDB 269, KB 269, Niphal IMPERFECT) is also used of Ammon in Ezek. 21:32. Ammon will exist no more as a nation. Israel will return to its land, but Ammon will not (the same is true of Edom).
Ezequiel 25:12-14
25:12 Edom acted against the house of Judah (cf. Ps. 137:7; Lam. 4:21-22; Obad. 1:10-14) by taking vengeance (BDB 667, KB 721, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) plus the related NOUN, BDB 668). This action caused great guilt (Qal IMPERFECT VERB plus INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE of the same root, BDB 79, KB 95, which is a grammatical way to show intensity). avenging themselves (BDB 667, KB 721, Niphal PERFECT) Also they apparently took the opportunity of the collapse of the Judean state to annex part of her land (cf. R. K. Harrison, Introduction to the Old Testament, p. 844). Special Topic: Edom and Israel 25:13-14 YHWH will respond in vengeance (BDB 668). stretch out His hand against them cut off man and beast lay it waste fall by the sword This violation of Edom against Judah and her God (cf. Ezek. 25:8) was taken very personally by YHWH. My vengeance, twice (BDB 668) My people My anger My wrath Note how many prophecies are against Edom (cf. Isa. 34:5-17; 63:1-6; Jer. 49:7-22; Ezek. 25:12-14; 35:1-15; Lam. 4:21-22; Amos 1:11-12; Mal. 1:2-4). Special Topic: Edom and Israel 25:13 "Teman" This is the Hebrew word for "south," "south wind" (BDB 412). It originally designated a grandson of Esau (cf. Gen. 36:11). It came to refer to the northern part of the nation of Edom (cf. Obad. 1:9; Hab. 3:3) a city (cf. Jer. 49:7,20; Amos 1:12) In this context it represents a region because it is contrasted with Dedam to designate the whole nation (similar to the phrase "from Dan to Beersheba"). ▣ "Dedan" This refers to a southern region in northwestern Arabia (cf. Gen. 10:7; 25:3). The Arab inhabitants became identified with Edom (cf. Jer. 49:8). As an area it extended down the eastern side of the Gulf of Aqaba. The exact locations of Teman and Dedan are uncertain and whether they refer to a city or a region in this context is uncertain. 25:14 "by the hand" See Special Topic: Hand
Ezequiel 25:15-17
25:15 "Philistines" The Philistines were apparently Greeks from the Aegean Islands. They were the only group of people in this part of the world who were uncircumcised. They were apparently a mercenary force who tried to attack Egypt in the twelfth century B.C. but were defeated. They then settled on the southern coast of Palestine. They had five major city-states which are delineated in Jos.13:3: Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. They were a major military problem throughout the period of the judges and even throughout the reign of Saul and David. The name "Palestine" comes from the word "Philistine." Special Topic: Philistines ▣ "have acted" This verse describes Philistia's actions against YHWH's people (cf. Joel 3:4-8). acted in revenge took vengeance displayed scorn of soul destroyed with everlasting enmity (cf. Ezek. 35:5) Wow! What strong language! 25:16 "Cherethites" This name is of uncertain origin (BDB 504). Two principles of hermeneutics can help here. In context they are parallel to Philistines. They could be a synonymous name or a specific group who were assimilated. The Philistines were possibly Aegean people (sea peoples). The Cherethites were possibly from Crete (because of) Amos 9:7 the similarity of the root consonants the LXX translation) Parallel passages link them to the Philistines (i.e. Pelethites, cf. 2 Sam. 8:18; 15:18; 20:7,23; 1 Kgs. 1:38,44; 1 Chr. 18:17; Zeph. 2:5).