Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 25:12
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them;
12. hath greatly offended ] Israel as the people of the true God was inviolable (Jer 2:3), except when Jehovah employed the nations to chastise it. Too often the nations exceeded their commission, cherishing purposes of their own (Isa 10:6 seq.), and themselves incurred guilt by their excess (Isa 47:6; Zec 1:15).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
12 14. Prophecy against Edom
The relations of Edom to Israel were changeful. Subdued by David it shook off the yoke under Jehoram (2Ki 8:20). Reconquered by Amaziah and Uzziah (2Ki 14:7; 2Ki 14:22), it rebelled under Ahaz (2Ki 16:6; 2Ch 28:17), and from this time was probably independent. Edomites seem to have taken part in the capture of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, or at least to have been active in cutting off the fugitives (Ob. Eze 25:10-14), and for their part in this they incurred the lasting hatred of Israel (Obad., Lam 4:21; Isa 34:5 seq., Isa 63:1-6; Joe 3:19; Psa 137:7; Mal 1:2. Cf. Jer 49:7 seq.). During the exile the Edomites took possession of part of the land of Israel (Eze 35:10); and in the time of the Maccabean war of independence, like the Ammonites, they shewed their hereditary enmity to Israel ( 1Ma 5:3 ; 1Ma 5:35 ). John Hyrcanus finally subdued them and incorporated them in the state of Israel. Ultimately, like Moab and Ammon, the name of Edom disappears from history, all the three peoples being known by the general name of Arabs, Children of the East as Ezek. had prophesied.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Edom, so named from Esau, consisted of various tribes enumerated in Gen. 36. The Edomites became a powerful nation before the Israelites came out of Egypt. David conquered them, but in the reign of Joram they rebelled and were not again subdued 2Ki 8:20. Under the name of Idumea the land was conquered by John Hyrcanus (compare Eze 25:14), when many of the people adopted the religion of the Jews. In later times the Idumean Herod became king of Palestine, reckoning himself as a Jew. Mount Seir, deserted by its original inhabitants, was occupied by a tribe of Arabians (the Nabatheans), under whelm Petra rose and continued a flourishing city under Roman dominion, until the tide of Mahometan conquest brought it to that ruin in which Edom at last found the complete fulfillment of the prophecies uttered against it Eze 35:1-15.
Taking vengeance – Referring to the wrong done by Jacob to Esau Gen 27:36.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 12. Because that Edom hath dealt] The Edomites were the most inveterate enemies of the Jews from the very earliest times, and ever did all that they could to annoy them.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Edom; the Idumeans, children of Esau.
The house of Judah; the kingdom of David after the division of the tribes, when but two remained constant to the house of David.
By taking vengeance for the old quarrel, because Jacob got the blessing from Esau, or rather in revenging a later quarrel, which they had against Judah for the slaughter, spoil, and captivity they suffered by Davids conquering sword.
Hath greatly offended; both in the thing itself, for vengeance belongs to God; and in the manner and measures of executing it, as appears both from Psa 137:7, and the prophecy of Oba 1:10-15, which see, and consider.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12. taking vengeanceliterally,”revenging with revengement,” that is, the most unrelentingvengeance. It was not simple hatred, but deep-brooding, implacablerevenge. The grudge of Edom or Esau was originally for Jacob’srobbing him of Isaac’s blessing (Gen 25:23;Gen 27:27-41). This purposeof revenge yielded to the extraordinary kindness of Jacob, throughthe blessing of Him with whom Jacob wrestled in prayer; but it wasrevived as an hereditary grudge in the posterity of Esau when theysaw the younger branch rising to the pre-eminence which they thoughtof right belonged to themselves. More recently, for David’ssubjugation of Edom to Israel (2Sa8:14). They therefore gave vent to their spite by joining theChaldeans in destroying Jerusalem (Psa 137:7;Lam 4:22; Oba 1:10-14),and then intercepting and killing the fugitive Jews (Am1:11) and occupying part of the Jewish land as far as Hebron.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Thus saith the Lord God,…. Concerning Seir or the Edomites, the prophecy concerning the Moabites being finished:
because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance: or, “revenging a revenge” w; the Edomites bore an old grudge against the Jews, not only because their father Jacob had got the birthright and blessing from their father Esau; but because they were made tributaries to them in David’s time, and afterwards severely chastised by Amaziah; these things they laid up in their minds, and vowed revenge whenever they had an opportunity; and now one offered at the destruction of Jerusalem, which they took:
and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them: not only by rejoicing at the destruction of the Jews, but by encouraging the Babylonians in it; assisting them therein, joining with them in plundering the city, and in cutting off those with the sword who endeavoured to make their escape; see Ps 137:7.
w “in ulciscendo ultionem”, Montanus, Starckius.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Against the Edomites
Eze 25:12. Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Because Edom acteth revengefully towards the house of Judah, and hath been very guilty in avenging itself upon them, Eze 25:13. Therefore, thus saith the Lord Jehovah, I will stretch out my hand over Edom, and cut off man and beast from it, and make it a desert from Teman, and unto Dedan they shall fall by the sword. Eze 25:14. And I will inflict my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel, that they may do to Edom according to my anger and my wrath; and they shall experience my vengeance, is the saying of the Lord Jehovah. – Whilst the Ammonites and the Moabites are charged with nothing more than malicious pleasure at the fall of Israel, and disregard of its divine calling, the Edomites are reproached with revengeful acts of hostility towards the house of Judah, and threatened with extermination in consequence. The , doing or acting of Edom, is more precisely defined as ‘ , i.e., as consisting in the taking of vengeance, and designated as very guilty, . , followed by with an infinitive, as in Eze 17:17. Edom had sought every opportunity of acting thus revengefully towards Israel (vid., Oba 1:11; Amo 1:11), so that in Eze 35:5 Ezekiel speaks of the “eternal enmity” of Edom against Israel. For this reason we must not restrict the reproach in Eze 25:12 to particular outbreaks of this revenge at the time of the devastation and destruction of Judah by the Chaldeans, of which the Psalmist complains in Psa 137:1-9, and for which he invokes the vengeance of God upon Edom. Man and beast are to be cut off from Edom in consequence, and the land to become a desert from Teman to Dedan. These names denote not cities, but districts. Teman is the southern portion of Idumaea (see the comm. on Amo 1:12); and Dedan is therefore the northern district. Dedan is probably not the Cushite tribe mentioned in Gen 10:7, but the tribe of the same name which sprang from the sons of Abraham by Keturah (Gen 25:3), and which is also mentioned in Jer 49:8 in connection with Edom. has local with Seghol instead of Kametz, probably on account of the preceding a (vid., Ewald, 216 c). There is no necessity to connect with the following clause, as Hitzig and Kliefoth have done, in opposition to the accents. The two geographical names, which are used as a periphrasis for Idumaea as a whole, are distributed equally through the parallelismus membrorum between the two clauses of the sentence, so that they belong to both clauses, so far as the sense is concerned. Edom is to become a desert from Teman to Dedan, and its inhabitants from Teman to Dedan are to fall by the sword. This judgment of vengeance will be executed by God through His people Israel. The fulfilment of this threat, no doubt, commenced with the subjugation of the Edomites by the Maccabees; but it is not to be limited to that event, as Rosenmller, Kliefoth, and others suppose, although the foundation was thereby laid for the disappearance of the national existence of Edom. For it is impossible with this limitation to do justice to the emphatic expression, “ my people Israel.” On the ground, therefore, of the prophecies in Amo 9:12 and Oba 1:17, that the people of God are to take possession of Edom, when the fallen tabernacle of David is raised up again, i.e., in the Messianic times, which prophecies point back to that of Balaam in Num 24:18, and have their roots, as this also has, in the promise of God concerning the twin sons of Isaac, “the elder shall serve the younger” (Gen 25:23), we must seek for the complete fulfilment in the victories of the people of God over all their foes, among whom Edom from time immemorial had taken the leading place, at the time when the kingdom of God is perfected. For even here Edom is not introduced merely as a single nation that was peculiarly hostile to Judah, but also as a type of the implacable enmity of the heathen world towards the people and kingdom of God, as in Eze 35:1-15, Isa. 34:63, etc. The vengeance, answering to the anger and wrath of Jehovah, which Israel, as the people of God, is to execute upon Edom, consists not merely in the annihilation of the national existence of Edom, which John Hyrcanus carried into effect by compelling the subjugated Edomites to adopt circumcision (see the comm. on Num 24:18), but chiefly in the wrathful judgment which Israel will execute in the person of Christ upon the arch-enemy of the kingdom of God by its complete extinction.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
COMING JUDGMENT ON EDOM
Verses 12-14:
Verse 12 states that because of Edom’s vengeance and revenge upon the house of Judah she too is to face irrevocable judgment, Gen 12:3. The Edomites were the offspring of Esau, Gen 36:1. Mt Seir was given Esau for a possession, Deu 2:1-5; See also Eze 35:2-3. See also 2Ch 28:17; Psa 137:7; Jer 49:7-8; Amo 1:11; Oba 1:10.
Verse 13 asserts that because of Edom’s sins God would stretch out His hand to execute judgment that would cut off man and beast, and make the land desolate from Teman, and cause those of Dedan to fall by the sword. It was to be from the south to the north, through all the land, Jer 49:8.
Verse 14 declares that Edom, who had shown vengeance and revenge toward Israel, would have the Lord’s hand of vengeance turned upon them by the hand of the Israelites whom they had persecuted, until they knew or recognized that God was a just avenger of sins, Deu 32:35; Rom 12:19.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
III. THE WORD AGAINST EDOM 25:1214
TRANSLATION
(12) Thus says the Lord GOD: Because Edoms dealings with the house of Judah have been the result of vengeful conduct, and he has incurred enormous guilt by executing vengeance against them, (13) therefore, thus says the Lord GOD: I will stretch out MY hand against Edom, and I will cut off from it man and beast. And I will make it a desolation from Teman; even toward Dedan they shall fall by the sword. (14) And I will put My vengeance in Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they shall deal with Edom according to My wrath and according to MY anger; thus they will know My vengeance (oracle of the Lord GOD).
COMMENTS
The Edomites were descended from Esau. They occupied the territory south of the Dead Sea. Although the twins Esau and Jacob were reconciled during their lifetime (Genesis 33), their descendants were involved in perpetual hostilities. The Edomites had not allowed the Israelites to pass through their land in the days of Moses (Num. 20:14-21). Amos (Eze. 1:11-12) and Obadiah[373] condemned the Edomites for early attacks against Israel.[374] Jeremiah lashed out against them (Jer. 49:7-11; Lam. 4:21-22), and later Malachi would blast them (Mal. 1:2-5).
[373] The date of Obadiah is in dispute among Bible scholars. Many scholars consider Obadiah as one of the earliest of the writing prophets, He may have been active during the reign of Jehoram of Judah (848841 B.C.)
[374] The historical record Indicates that Israel had responded in kind to the viciousness of the Edomites (2Sa. 8:13, 1Ki. 11:15; 1Ki. 11:15; 2Ch. 25:11-12).
Edoms sin was a vengeful spirit toward the people of God. Apparently, at the time of the Babylonian invasion of Judah, the Edomites had seized the opportunity to get revenge against Judah. Thus they had committed a grave offense (Eze. 25:12).
For the crimes committed against His people God would stretch out His hand against Edom. Man and beast would be cut off from the land. Even Teman, one of the leading cities of Edom, would become desolate. The slaughter would extend south of Edom as far as Dedan[375] (Eze. 25:13). The devastation of Edom would be wrought by the hands of the Israelites. Acting as Gods agents, they would teach Edom the vengeance of the true Lord, Yahweh of Israel (Eze. 25:14).
[375] The Dedan most frequently mentioned in the Scripture was located in Arabia, about 300 miles southeast of Teman. Dedan is elsewhere mentioned in connection with Edom only in Jer. 49:8. Possibly Jeremiah and Ezekiel are referring to a settlement of Dedanites within the territory of Edom rather than to the famous caravan city of that name. On the other hand, the two prophets may be suggesting that the disaster which would befall Edom would sweep southward even to Dedan.
As in most of the prophecies against foreign nations, the predicted demise of Edom occurred gradually. Edom proper fell into Arab hands in the fifth century B.C. In the third century B.C. the area was overrun by the Nabataeans. In the second pre-Christian century the remnant of the Edomites were conquered by the Jewish general Judas Maccabeus (1Ma. 5:65). They were finally forced to accept circumcision and the Jewish faith. In this amalgamation the Edomites disappeared from history.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(12) Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah.The reason of Edoms hostility to Israel is expressly said to be revenge. Descended from the elder son, they had never looked complacently on the spiritual superiority given to the descendants of the younger. They showed their hostility from the first in refusing, with a show of violence, a passage to the Israelites through their territory (Num. 20:18-21); and although they were subdued and made tributary under David and Solomon (2Sa. 8:14; 1Ki. 9:26), yet in the decline of the Jewish power they availed themselves of every opportunity for hostility (2Ch. 28:17, &c). At this time they not only joined the armies of Nebuchadnezzar, but appear to have urged on the conqueror to greater cruelty, and to have themselves waylaid the fugitives to cut them off (Eze. 35:5; Psa. 137:7; Amo. 1:11; Oba. 1:11). They also, during the Captivity, took possession of many towns of Judea, including Hebron (Jos., Antt., xii. 8, 6; B. J., 4:9, 7), which were re-conquered in the time of the Maccabees. Other prophecies against Edom may be found in Num. 24:18-19; Isa. 11:14; Jer. 49:7-12; Joe. 3:19, besides the extended prophecy of Ezekiel in Ezekiel 35.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
12. Edom The Edomites (Assyrian, Udumu) were a Semitic race closely related to the Hebrews, whose law required them to be loved as a “brother” and given special temple privileges (Deu 23:7-8). The name, according to Sayce, means “red skins,” which would separate them from the fairer Hebrews and Amorites. They had conquered a strip of country about Mount Seir (Deu 2:22), and were a very powerful nation until conquered by Ramman-Nirari (806-797 B.C.). They, like their brothers, the Israelites, had adopted the “language of Canaan,” and though their libraries have not yet been discovered, some scholars think traces of their literature may be seen in the lists of Edomite princes (Genesis 36), and perhaps also in Job and the Proverbs of Lemuel. Notwithstanding their close relationship, Edom and Israel were frequently at war ( 2Ki 8:20 ; 2Ki 14:7; 2Ki 14:22; 2Ki 16:6; 2Ch 28:17). These sons of Esau had “hatred of old” (Eze 35:5) for the sons of Jacob, and exulted with great joy when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Chaldeans, perhaps assisting in the city’s overthrow (Joe 3:19; Psa 137:7; Amo 1:11; Oba 1:11). During the Maccabean war they continued hostile to the Jews. “Ultimately, like Moab and Ammon, the name of Edom disappears from history, all the three peoples being known by the general name of Arabs children of the East as Ezekiel had prophesied.” Davidson.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh, “Because Edom has dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has greatly offended, and revenged herself on them,” therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh, “I will stretch out my hand on Edom and will cut off man and beast from it, and I will make it desolate from Teman, even to Dedan they will fall by the sword.” ’
Edom is singled out as especially treacherous (Psa 137:7-9) a fact reflected in the continual animosity revealed against her elsewhere (Oba 1:21; Mal 1:3-5). We do not know quite what she did but she acted positively in some way to bring as much harm on Jerusalem as possible. In Eze 35:5 it is said that they ‘gave over the children of Israel to the power of the sword in the time of their calamity’. This suggests that they turned back those seeking refuge in Edom into the hands of their pursuers, an example of heartless cynicism and cruelty that would not easily be forgiven. Even Moab and Ammon did not do that. And there is evidence of Edomite occupation of southern Judah after the exile ( 1Ma 5:65 ; Josephus; the Zenon papyri). It seemed that she took full and vicious advantage of Jerusalem’s cruel dilemma.
Because of this her fate was to be severe, although we do not actually have any details of what immediately happened to her. She was to be totally desolated. There is certainly evidence of a later Arab population.
The inhabitants of Teman in northern Edom were renowned for their wisdom (Jer 49:7; Oba 1:8-9). Teman may be identified with Tawilan which has been excavated to reveal a large Edomite town of the 8th to 6th centuries BC. Dedan was in north west Arabia and well known for its role in the caravan trade (Eze 27:20; Isa 21:13), and is mentioned in inscriptions. The site is now known as al-‘Ula
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
The Oracle Against Edom ( Eze 25:12-14 ).
Edom has already been mentioned in the charge against Moab. Ammon and Moab were seen as brother nations descended from Lot (Gen 19:37-38), while Edom was seen as descended from Esau (Gen 32:3; Gen 36:8). They were thus related nations, and their land was seen as given to them by Yahweh, which was why Moses had sought to avoid conflict with them (Deu 2:18-19; Deu 2:22). But now He was taking it away from them. They had gone too far.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Against Idumea and Philistia
v. 12. Thus saith the Lord God, Because that Edom, v. 13. therefore thus saith the Lord God, I will also stretch out Mine hand upon Edom, v. 14. And I will lay My vengeance upon Edom by the hand of My people Israel, v. 15. Thus saith the Lord God, Because the Philistines, v. 16. therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will stretch out Mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, v. 17. And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Eze 25:12. Because that Edom, &c. See Psa 137:7. Houbigant renders the passage, Because Edom hath burned with rage against the house of Judah, and hath revenged himself upon them by wickedness, &c.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Edom, the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob, is the next brought to God’s bar, and a solemn judgment and sentence is pronounced upon Edom. See, Reader! how plainly the different seeds of nature and grace ran through all the generations of Esau and Jacob? Oh! to what can we refer distinguishing mercy but to God’s sovereign will and purpose! Mal 1:2-3 ; Rom 9:13-16 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Eze 25:12 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them;
Ver. 12. By taking vengeance. ] Heb., By revenging revengement; out of a vindictive spirit rejoicing at Judah’s harms, and saying, They were well enough served. See the prophecy of Oba 1:10-16 and Psa 137:7 Their father Esau was of a spiteful spirit, Gen 27:41 and they took after him, proceeding upon the old score. Hence they are put for God’s and the Church’s enemies by a specialty. Isa 63:1-6 Joe 3:9-17 Amo 9:1-10 A learned man hath given us this note: Esau signifieth a doer or a worker ; Edom , a ruddy, bloody, or earthy man. These Edomites were a type of justiciaries, who will needs be saved by their works and merits. These are the deadliest enemies of God’s people, war upon them continually, seek and suck their blood, and shall at length suffer condign punishment.
And hath greatly offended and revenged himself upon them.
a ’ .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Eze 25:12-14
12’Thus says the Lord GOD, Because Edom has acted against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has incurred grievous guilt, and avenged themselves upon them, 13therefore thus says the Lord GOD, I will also stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off man and beast from it. And I will lay it waste; from Teman even to Dedan they will fall by the sword. 14I will lay My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel. Therefore, they will act in Edom according to My anger and according to My wrath; thus they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.
Eze 25:12 Edom acted against the house of Judah (see Special Topic: Edom and Israel , cf. Psa 137:7; Lam 4:21-22; Oba 1:10-14) by
1. 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).
2. 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).
Eze 25:13-14 YHWH will respond in vengeance (BDB 668).
1. stretch out His hand against them
2. cut off man and beast
3. lay it waste
4. fall by the sword
This violation of Edom against Judah and her God (cf. Eze 25:8) was taken very personally by YHWH.
1. My vengeance, twice
2. My people
3. My anger
4. My wrath
Note how many prophecies are against Edom (cf. Isa 34:5-17; Isa 63:1-6; Jer 49:7-22; Eze 25:12-14; Eze 35:1-15; Lam 4:21-22; Amo 1:11-12; Mal 1:2-4).
Eze 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. Oba 1:9; Hab 3:3) and a city (cf. Jer 49:7; Jer 49:20; Amo 1:12).
In this context it represents a region because it is contrasted with Dedam to designate the whole nation (similar to from Dan to Beersheba).
Dedan This refers to a southern region in northwestern Arabia (cf. Gen 10:7; Gen 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.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Edom. Descended from Esau (Gen 36:1, Gen 36:43). For their unbrotherly spirit, see Psa 137:7. Lam 4:21, Lam 4:22; and Oba 1:10-16,
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Eze 25:12-14
Eze 25:12-14
“Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and avenged himself upon them; therefore, thus saith the Lord Jehovah, I will stretch out my hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; even unto Dedan shall they fall by the sword. And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel; and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my wrath; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord Jehovah.”
The prophecy in Amos especially mentioned the “anger and hatred of Edom” which did “tear perpetually,” indicating the implacable hatred of the Edomites for God’s people. Although Israel did indeed punish them; and under Hyrcanus, the Edomites were captured and somewhat forcibly taken into Judaism; nevertheless, the perpetual evil of the Edomites was sufficiently strong to be chosen by God Himself as the symbol of the totality of human wickedness, the final judgment itself being depicted in Isaiah 34 th chapter as the “judgment of Edom.” The Edomites were featured as enemies of God and of the spread of the gospel of Christ in the Book of Acts, where Herod Agrippa I (an Edomite) attempted to kill all of the apostles, for which intention God executed him (Acts 12).
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Edom
Eze 25:12-14, (See Scofield “Gen 36:1”).
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Because: Eze 25:8, Eze 35:1-15, 2Ch 28:17, 2Ch 28:18, Psa 137:7, Jer 49:7-22
taking vengeance: Heb. revenging, revengement, Gen 27:41, Gen 27:42, Amo 1:11, Amo 1:12, Oba 1:10-16
Reciprocal: Gen 25:23 – the elder Gen 36:1 – General Deu 30:7 – General 2Ch 28:9 – because the Lord God Isa 34:5 – upon Idumea Jer 25:21 – Edom Jer 40:11 – all the Jews Lam 4:21 – the cup Eze 25:15 – Because Eze 35:2 – and prophesy Eze 35:5 – thou hast had Eze 36:5 – with despiteful Joe 3:4 – will ye Zec 1:15 – and Zec 2:8 – the nations Rom 12:19 – avenge
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 25:12. The Edomites were indirectly referred to in verse 8 where Seir (Edom was called Mount Seir and Idumea,”-Smith’s Bible Dictionary) and Moab are included in the same prediction. In the present verse they are considered as a separate people.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Section 2 (Eze 25:12-14).
Edom the unbrotherly enemy; the Lord’s vengeance for his vengeance.
The judgment passes on to Edom, the typical enemy of Israel, who, according to what we have seen of it elsewhere, presents to us the world of the old man, as we may say -the natural fallen man -the most real enemy we have as Christians; none the less so for being akin to us all naturally, even as Edom was the unbrotherly brother of Israel. His enmity is characterized here as revenge. He had, as we know, a quarrel from the beginning -the primal loss of his birthright-blessing, his sale of which, for a mess of pottage, has passed out of his memory. Nothing is stated here as to the cause of his enmity, which is indeed inherent in his nature. The old man has had a quarrel with Cod from the beginning; having turned his back upon Him, and so lost paradise, he counts against God the evils of the place in which he finds himself now, which is indeed very much a wilderness, a “rugged” place, such as Seir was for Edom, according to its name. Yet he has acquired wisdom in it, the wisdom gathered from experience: “Necessity is the mother of invention,” as the proverb says; and fallen man has sought out many inventions.
Teman, spoken of here, was noted for the wisdom of its inhabitants. It means “the right hand,” which, according to Scripture usage, was the south, and as this, has many significant implications. The right hand is the place of dependence, yet of honor: it was the place of Reuben in the wilderness, and we may remember that he also was a first-born who had lost his birthright place, and yet found blessing in the loss itself. Typically he is the man of faith, essentially dependent, yet finding abundant resources in God who is for him -the refuge always of the destitute. This Reuben thus learns a wisdom of his own, the wisdom of faith; and in this way, as the book of Numbers shows us, falls heir to Sihon, the king of Heshbon, which he possesses and builds up afresh. The story has been told elsewhere. (See Notes, Num 32:1-42.) Heshbon means “device,” and it is faith that restores the reason in man to its natural, dependent place, to find how much blessing in it! Teman’s wisdom is dependent also, necessarily; it is Edomite, not Israelite -a fleshly dependence, therefore. He has no faith in God to keep him steady, to give him fixed points to reason from; he is born into a world where he must receive largely from others, inheriting the thoughts of men, fallible, in fact, often deceived, sinful, and capable of deception. Yet men pride themselves upon this godless wisdom, which so often assumes the name of science, though in its wilful ignorance of God it is necessarily ignorant of the sources and origin of all things.
And here we find another name in the prophecy which seems to have a relation and adds significance to all this. Dedan is given as meaning “progress” -the watchword of the day, we might say; but which, after all, has doubt thrown upon it, in its derivation from a word which means not exactly to go forward, but rather to go softly or slowly. Slow enough indeed has been man’s progress through all these centuries of his possession of the earth, although the pace may be quicker now through the multiplication of experiences and experiments which he has been able to make. He has been variously assisted along the road, and by nothing so much as by the divine revelation which has lighted up every place in which it has shone, which he, nevertheless, is seeking to discredit as “unscientific.” Discarding this, however, his science must necessarily lose knowledge of the beginning, and is unable to look onward to the end. Put human wisdom right, let it not be esteemed as opposed to faith, let faith not be thought unreasonable, but rather the highest character of reason, and then indeed we might see splendid work, with nature yielding its resources -spite of the fall yielding true blessings, in the bounty of God, which still it witnesses.
Stranger than this unbrotherly strife between Edom and Israel is that which is seen between the men of nature and the men of God. Yet it will continue, if we read Scripture aright, and Ezekiel’s prophecy should throw light upon it and make us aware of what is coming. For power will assuredly put down those whom grace has not subdued; and if neither the witness of Scripture nor of nature have a right effect upon this pride of human wisdom, God Himself must interfere. There is nothing left but for Him to come in in necessary judgment. In the case of Edom, as given here, Israel will be God’s instrument in this; for we know by the voice of prophecy everywhere that to Israel is given the inheritance of the earth, and through the seed of Abraham alone shall all the families of the earth be blessed. The gospel will not effect what men are looking for from it -though it does take out from the earth a people for heaven; but He to whom will be given the heathen for His inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for His possession, will surely rule over the nations with a rod of iron, and as the vessels of a potter shatter them to pieces. This, and Israel’s part in it, we find abundantly in the prophets elsewhere, but it is not the place here to take it up. (See Jer 51:20; Jer 51:23; Isa 11:14, etc.)
Fuente: Grant’s Numerical Bible Notes and Commentary
Eze 25:12-14. Because that Edom, &c. The Idumeans, being the posterity of Esau, bore an ancient grudge against the Jews, upon the account of their ancestors losing his right of primogeniture, and the subduing of Edom by David afterward, 2Sa 8:14. Upon both of these accounts they took hold of all opportunities of venting their spite against the Jewish nation: see particularly 2Ch 28:17. For this their behaviour they were in former times reproved by Amo 1:11, and afterward by Obadiah, Eze 25:10, and by Ezekiel, here and Eze 35:5. The ill will that they showed toward them at the time of their captivity was very remarkable, as appears by those pathetical words of Psa 137:7, Remember the children of Edom, O Lord, in the day of Jerusalem, when they said, Down with it, down with it, even to the ground. I will lay my vengeance upon Edom, by Israel My people Israel themselves, whom the Edomites have so often insulted, shall be the instruments of my vengeance upon Edom, and shall requite the wrongs they have received by subduing Idumea; this they did under the conduct of Judas Maccabus. And afterward the high-priest Hyrcanus made an entire conquest of this country: see Prideaux, part 2. p. 307.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
3. Judgment on Edom 25:12-14
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
The Edomites had taken vengeance on the Judahites rather than helping them (cf. 36:1-7; Gen 25:30; Gen 27:41-46; Gen 32:4; Lam 4:21-22; Amo 1:11-12).