Ezekiel 35:4
Ezekiel 35:4 in Multiple Translations
I will turn your cities into ruins, and you will become a desolation. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate; and thou shalt know that I am Jehovah.
I will make your towns unpeopled and you will be a waste; and you will be certain that I am the Lord.
I will ruin your towns; you will be completely devastated. Then you will acknowledge that I am the Lord.
I wil lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt knowe that I am the Lord.
Thy cities a waste I make, and thou art a desolation, And thou hast known that I [am] Jehovah.
I will lay your cities waste, and you will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
I will destroy thy cities, and thou shalt be desolate: and thou shalt know that I am the Lord.
I will cause your country to be ruined and desolate. When that happens, people will know that I, Yahweh, have the power to do what I say that I will do.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 35:4
BAB
Word Study
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Ezekiel 35:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עָרֶ֨י/ךָ֙
חָרְבָּ֣ה
אָשִׂ֔ים
וְ/אַתָּ֖ה
שְׁמָמָ֣ה
תִֽהְיֶ֑ה
וְ/יָדַעְתָּ֖
כִּֽי
אֲנִ֥י
יְהוָֽה
עָרֶ֨י/ךָ֙
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fp | Suff
חָרְבָּ֣ה
chorbâh
H2723
desolation
N-fs
אָשִׂ֔ים
sûwm
H7760
to set
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
וְ/אַתָּ֖ה
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Conj | Pron
שְׁמָמָ֣ה
shᵉmâmâh
H8077
Desolate
N-fs
תִֽהְיֶ֑ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
וְ/יָדַעְתָּ֖
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אֲנִ֥י
ʼănîy
H589
I
Pron
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 35:4
עָרֶ֨י/ךָ֙
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
N-fp | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
חָרְבָּ֣ה
chorbâh
H2723
"desolation"
N-fs
This word refers to a place that has been laid waste or destroyed, often due to war or disaster. In the Bible, it is used to describe the consequences of sin and disobedience. The prophet Ezekiel used this word to describe a desolate city.
Definition: a place laid waste, ruin, waste, desolation
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: decayed place, desolate (place, -tion), destruction, (laid) waste (place). See also: Leviticus 26:31; Jeremiah 27:17; Psalms 9:7.
אָשִׂ֔ים
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set
Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.
וְ/אַתָּ֖ה
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Conj | Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
שְׁמָמָ֣ה
shᵉmâmâh
H8077
"Desolate"
N-fs
This word refers to the state of being devastated or wasted, often used to describe the results of war or God's judgment. In Ezekiel 33:28, it describes the desolation of Israel. It's about a place being left empty and destroyed.
Definition: devastation, waste, desolation Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: (laid, [idiom] most) desolate(-ion), waste. See also: Exodus 23:29; Ezekiel 14:16; Isaiah 1:7.
תִֽהְיֶ֑ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
וְ/יָדַעְתָּ֖
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אֲנִ֥י
ʼănîy
H589
"I"
Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 35:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — A Prophecy against Mount Seir
2“Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir and prophesy against it,
3and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Mount Seir. I will stretch out My hand against you and make you a desolate waste.
4I will turn your cities into ruins, and you will become a desolation. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
5Because you harbored an ancient hatred and delivered the Israelites over to the sword in the time of their disaster at the final stage of their punishment, 6therefore as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will give you over to bloodshed and it will pursue you. Since you did not hate bloodshed, it will pursue you.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 35:9 | I will make you a perpetual desolation, and your cities will not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am the LORD. |
| 2 | Malachi 1:3–4 | but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals. ” Though Edom may say, “We have been devastated, but we will rebuild the ruins,” this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Land of Wickedness, and a people with whom the LORD is indignant forever. |
| 3 | Joel 3:19 | Egypt will become desolate, and Edom a desert wasteland, because of the violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 35:12 | Then you will know that I, the LORD, have heard every contemptuous word you uttered against the mountains of Israel when you said, ‘They are desolate; they are given to us to devour!’ |
| 5 | Ezekiel 6:6–7 | Wherever you live, the cities will be laid waste and the high places will be demolished, so that your altars will be laid waste and desecrated, your idols smashed and obliterated, your incense altars cut down, and your works blotted out. The slain will fall among you, and you will know that I am the LORD. |
| 6 | Exodus 9:14 | Otherwise, I will send all My plagues against you and your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth. |
| 7 | Exodus 14:4 | And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them. But I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So this is what the Israelites did. |
Ezekiel 35:4 Summary
[Ezekiel 35:4 is a powerful reminder that God is the one true Lord of all nations and peoples, and He will not tolerate opposition or rebellion, as seen in verses like Isaiah 45:5-6. In this verse, God promises to turn the cities of Edom into ruins and make them a desolation, in order to demonstrate His power and authority, similar to the judgment pronounced in Ezekiel 25:12-14. This verse teaches us that God is a holy and just God who will not ignore sin, but will instead use it as an opportunity to reveal His glory and power, as seen in Romans 9:17. As we reflect on this verse, we can trust that God is working all things together for our good and His glory, as promised in Romans 8:28.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Mount Seir in Ezekiel 35:4?
Mount Seir represents the nation of Edom, which was known for its longstanding hatred towards Israel, as seen in Ezekiel 35:5, and is used here to illustrate God's judgment on those who oppose His people, similar to the judgment pronounced in Isaiah 34:5-6.
Why does God say He will turn the cities into ruins in Ezekiel 35:4?
God's intention is to demonstrate His power and lordship over all nations, including Edom, as stated in Ezekiel 35:4, and to show that He is the one true God, as declared in Isaiah 45:5-6, who will not tolerate opposition or rebellion.
How does this verse relate to God's character?
This verse highlights God's holiness and justice, as He will not ignore the sins of Edom, and His desire for all nations to acknowledge Him as the one true God, as seen in Ezekiel 35:4 and supported by verses like Psalm 83:18, which emphasizes God's unique lordship.
What can we learn from Edom's mistakes in Ezekiel 35:4-6?
We can learn the importance of not harboring hatred or opposition towards God's people, as Edom did, and the need to respect and reverence God's power and authority, as taught in Romans 11:25-32, where God's relationship with Israel is discussed, and in verses like Proverbs 24:17-18, which warn against gloating over the misfortune of others.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can acknowledge and respect God's power and authority in my own life, in light of Ezekiel 35:4?
- How can I avoid harboring hatred or opposition towards others, especially those who are part of God's family, as warned against in Ezekiel 35:5?
- What are some desolations or ruins in my own life that God may be using to draw me closer to Himself, similar to the desolation described in Ezekiel 35:4?
- In what ways can I trust in God's justice and holiness, even when I don't understand the circumstances around me, as seen in Ezekiel 35:4 and other verses like Psalm 37:28?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 35:4
I will lay thy cities waste,.... Such as Dedan, Teman, Bozrah, and other cities of Idumea mentioned in Scripture; and figuratively may design all within the jurisdiction of Rome, the several cities
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 35:4
I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 35:4
God doth what he stirs up his servants to do; it was Nebuchchadnezzar who was appointed to do this, and who did it, as 28:14. Thy cities, in the plural; there were many and strong cities in Edom, yet all should be wasted, as , where lie in like manner is threatened.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 35:4
Ezekiel 35:4 I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD.Ver. 4. I will lay thy cities waste.] Even Teman, Dedan, Bozrah, mentioned in Scripture; besides many others mentioned by geographers, Maresa, Rhinocorura, Raphia, Gaza, Anthedon, &c. And thou shalt know.] To thy small comfort. That I am the Lord.] A Lord of lords, a God of gods, "a great God, a mighty and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward."
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 35:4
FATE OF EDOM, AND OF ISRAEL OVER THE HEATHEN BECAUSE OF THE NAME OF JEHOVAH.The most conspicuous mountain chain is here taken to represent the entire land of Edom, just as it is so used, seemingly