Ezekiel 35:5

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 35:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Because thou hast had a perpetual enmity, and hast given over the children of Israel to the power of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time of the iniquity of the end;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Because thou hast had a perpetual enmity, and hast given over the children of Israel to the power of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time of the iniquity of the end;
Ezekiel 35:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 35

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5Because thou hast had a perpetual enmity, and hast given over the children of Israel to the power of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time of the iniquity of the end;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, &c.] There was an old grudge and enmity subsisting in the posterity of Esau against the posterity of Jacob, because the latter supplanted the former, and got the birthright and blessing from him; and which was discovered in all ages, and at all opportunities, and on all occasions which offered; and such has been the hatred of the church of Rome against the true professors and followers of Christ, as their bloody persecution of them in all ages have shown: and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity: when Jerusalem was taken by the Chaldeans, the Edomites not only rejoiced at it, and took…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“perpetual hatred-- (Psa 137:7; Amo 1:11; Oba 1:10-16). Edom perpetuated the hereditary hatred derived from Esau against Jacob. shed the blood of, &c.--The literal translation is better. "Thou hast poured out the children of Israel"; namely, like water. So Psa 22:14; Psa 63:10, Margin; Jer 18:21. Compare Sa2 14:14. by the force of the sword--literally, "by" or "upon the hands of the sword"; the sword being personified as a devourer whose "hands" were the instruments of destruction. in the time that their iniquity had an end--that is, had its consummation (Eze 21:25, Eze 21:29). Edom consummated his guilt when he exulted over Jerusalem's downfall, and helped the foe to destroy it (Psa 137:7;…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Shed blood - Omit “blood:” better as in the margin, i. e., and hast given up the children of Israel to the sword; thou hast scattered the children of Israel in confusion like stones poured down a mountain-side Micah 1:6. That their iniquity had an end - Or, “of the iniquity of the end,” i. e., the time when by the capture of the city the iniquity of Israel came to an end Ezekiel 21:29. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Their iniquity - When their iniquity was punished on them, which brought them to final ruin. Ezekiel 35:6”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“35:5-10 The eternal [or ancient] hatred of Edom for Israel went all the way back to their respective ancestors, Esau and Jacob (see Gen 25:19-34; 27:1-46; Num 20:14-21; 24:18; 2 Sam 8:13-14; 1 Kgs 11:14). Because of that enmity, the Edomites took advantage of the Babylonian destruction to butcher the Israelites when they were helpless. They wanted to wipe out the descendants of Jacob and seize the lands of Israel and Judah. The bloodbath they delighted to inflict on Israel would return on their own heads, as their people would be slaughtered by the sword. Their everlasting hatred would be punished: Their land would become desolate forever. This prophecy was fulfilled when the Edomites were…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thou hast had: Eze 35:12, Eze 25:12; Gen 27:41, Gen 27:42; Psa 137:7; Amo 1:11; Oba 1:10-16 perpetual hatred: or, hatred of old, Eze 25:15 shed the blood of: Heb. poured out force: Heb. hands, Jer 18:21 in the: Eze 21:25, Eze 21:29; Psa 137:7; Dan 9:24; Oba 1:11 Ezekiel 35:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification