Ezekiel 35: Mount Seir and the Judgment of Edom
Ezekiel 35 announces the judgment of Mount Seir, representing Edom’s hostility toward Israel. The chapter recalls perpetual hatred, violence during Israel’s calamity, coveting Yahweh’s land and arrogant speech against His purpose. Edom’s rejoicing over Israel’s desolation is answered by Edom’s own desolation.
Ezekiel 35:1–9 — Mount Seir and perpetual hatred
Yahweh declares, “Behold, O mount Seir, I am against thee.” Edom’s enduring hatred and bloodshed against Israel in its time of calamity bring judgment. Because Edom pursued bloodshed, the land becomes desolate.
Ezekiel 35:10–13 — Coveting Yahweh’s land
Edom claims, “These two nations and these two countries shall be mine.” The decisive answer is that “the LORD was there.” Mansfield draws attention to the fact that hostility toward Israel’s inheritance is hostility toward Yahweh’s purpose, and Yahweh has heard Edom’s proud words.
Ezekiel 35:14–15 — The reversal
Because Edom rejoiced when Israel’s inheritance was desolated, desolation comes upon Mount Seir and Idumea. The judgment ends with the recognition that “they shall know that I am the LORD.”
Principal HPB themes
- Yahweh remembers perpetual hatred and violence against Israel.
- Edom exploited Israel’s calamity and coveted the land.
- “The LORD was there”: Israel’s land belonged to Yahweh’s purpose.
- Malicious rejoicing over Israel’s ruin is answered by reciprocal judgment.
Editorial note: The commentary retains the source’s text-centred description of hostility, hatred and violence toward Israel without applying later political categories to the ancient oracle or extending the identification of Mount Seir to modern nations.