1 The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying,

2 Son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them;

3 And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord God; Thus saith the Lord God; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;

4 Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession, and they shall set their palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee: they shall eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk.

5 And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couching place for flocks: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.

6 For thus saith the Lord God; Because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel;

7 Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord.

8 Thus saith the Lord God; Because that Moab and Seir do say, Behold, the house of Judah is like unto all the heathen;

9 Therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Bethjeshimoth, Baalmeon, and Kiriathaim,

10 Unto the men of the east with the Ammonites, and will give them in possession, that the Ammonites may not be remembered among the nations.

11 And I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I am the Lord.

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;

13 Therefore thus saith the Lord God; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.

14 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 fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord God.

15 Thus saith the Lord God; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred;

16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast.

17 And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.

Commentary

Verse 1

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Judgments against the Ammonites.
It is wicked to be glad at the calamities of any, especially of God's people; it is a sin for which he will surely reckon. God will make it appear that he is the God of Israel, though he suffers them for a time to be captives in Babylon. It is better to know Him, and to be poor, than to be rich and ignorant of him.
McArther Bible Commentary
The word of the Lord came. Eze. 25:1-32:32 proclaims judgments on seven other nations, similar to the series in Jeremiah 46-51. Four of them are singled out in this chapter for vindictive jealousy and hate toward Israel. It is fitting, after devoting chapters 1-24 to calamity on His chosen nation, that God should reveal His impartiality toward all sinners and provide the prophet with judgments to proclaim on Gentiles. Israel's sinful failure had profaned God's honor in the eyes of these peoples (Eze 36:21-23), but these nations had falsely assumed that, when Israel was exiled, their God was defeated.
Bible Cross References
Ezekiel 24:27 Ezekiel 25:2 Zephaniah 2:9

Verse 2

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Judgments against the Ammonites.
It is wicked to be glad at the calamities of any, especially of God's people; it is a sin for which he will surely reckon. God will make it appear that he is the God of Israel, though he suffers them for a time to be captives in Babylon. It is better to know Him, and to be poor, than to be rich and ignorant of him.
McArther Bible Commentary
against the Ammonites. These people lived on the edge of the desert, east of the Jordan River and north of Moab. They had joined Babylon against Judah about 600 B.C. (2Ki 24:2 ff.). In 594 B.C., together with other nations, they tried to influence Judah to ally with them against Babylon (Jer 27:2 ff.). Eze 21:18-20 indicates that Babylon came after them. There is no record of an attack, so they must have surrendered (Eze 21:28; Zep 2:8-11). They were of incestuous origin (cf. Gen 19:37-38) and often hostile toward Judah (cf. Judg. 10; 1 Sam. 11; 2 Sam. 10, 12; Jer 49:1-6; Lam 2:15; Amo 1:13-15). God judged this people because of their enmity against Israel (Eze 25:3, Eze 25:6). They expressed malicious pleasure at the dishonoring of the temple, desolation of the land, and dispersion of the inhabitants.
Bible Cross References
Jeremiah 49:1 Ezekiel 21:2 Ezekiel 25:1 Ezekiel 28:21 Amos 1:13 Zephaniah 2:9

Verse 3

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Judgments against the Ammonites.
It is wicked to be glad at the calamities of any, especially of God's people; it is a sin for which he will surely reckon. God will make it appear that he is the God of Israel, though he suffers them for a time to be captives in Babylon. It is better to know Him, and to be poor, than to be rich and ignorant of him.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Aha - When thou shouldest have pitied, thou didst proudly insult over my people.
Bible Cross References
Psalm 70:2 Psalm 70:3 Ezekiel 21:28 Ezekiel 25:6 Ezekiel 26:2 Ezekiel 36:2 Zephaniah 2:8

Verse 4

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Judgments against the Ammonites.
It is wicked to be glad at the calamities of any, especially of God's people; it is a sin for which he will surely reckon. God will make it appear that he is the God of Israel, though he suffers them for a time to be captives in Babylon. It is better to know Him, and to be poor, than to be rich and ignorant of him.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The men of the east - The Arabians, associates of Nebuchadnezzar, who recompensed their service, with giving them this country when it was conquered, as it was five years after the desolation of Jerusalem.
McArther Bible Commentary
I will deliver you … to the men of the East. Perhaps this meant the coming of Babylon from the east which would devastate Ammon in either 588-86 B.C. or 582/81 B.C. Or, it could refer to their land being occupied by the various nomadic tribes living beyond the Jordan River.
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:33 Deuteronomy 28:51 Judges 6:3 Judges 6:33 1 Kings 4:30 Isaiah 1:7 Lamentations 1:14 Ezekiel 25:10

Verse 5

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Judgments against the Ammonites.
It is wicked to be glad at the calamities of any, especially of God's people; it is a sin for which he will surely reckon. God will make it appear that he is the God of Israel, though he suffers them for a time to be captives in Babylon. It is better to know Him, and to be poor, than to be rich and ignorant of him.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Rabbah - The royal city, called since Philadelphia from the king of Egypt who built it. The Ammonites - The land they dwelt in.
McArther Bible Commentary
Rabbah. This important Ammonite capitol (cf. Amo 1:14), now called Amman, is about twenty-five miles northeast of the upper tip of the Dead Sea, east of the Jordan River.
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 3:11 2 Samuel 12:26 Isaiah 17:2 Jeremiah 49:2 Ezekiel 21:20 Ezekiel 21:30

Verse 6

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Judgments against the Ammonites.
It is wicked to be glad at the calamities of any, especially of God's people; it is a sin for which he will surely reckon. God will make it appear that he is the God of Israel, though he suffers them for a time to be captives in Babylon. It is better to know Him, and to be poor, than to be rich and ignorant of him.
Bible Cross References
Job 27:23 Lamentations 2:15 Ezekiel 6:11 Ezekiel 25:3 Ezekiel 25:15 Obadiah 1:12 Nahum 3:19 Zephaniah 2:8 Zephaniah 2:10

Verse 7

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Judgments against the Ammonites.
It is wicked to be glad at the calamities of any, especially of God's people; it is a sin for which he will surely reckon. God will make it appear that he is the God of Israel, though he suffers them for a time to be captives in Babylon. It is better to know Him, and to be poor, than to be rich and ignorant of him.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Know - Thus God will bring those that were strangers to him into an acquaintance with him, and it will be a blessed effect of their calamities. How much better is it, to be poor and know God, than to be rich, and ignorant of him?
McArther Bible Commentary
cause you to perish. Ammonites would be destroyed and eliminated from their land. Yet, Jer 49:6 assures a later return of a remnant of these scattered people.
Bible Cross References
Isaiah 33:4 Lamentations 1:14 Ezekiel 6:14 Ezekiel 21:31 Ezekiel 21:32 Ezekiel 25:13 Ezekiel 25:16 Ezekiel 26:5 Amos 1:14 Amos 1:15 Zephaniah 1:4

Verse 8

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Against the Moabites, Edomites, and Philistines.
Though one event seem to the righteous and wicked, it is vastly different. Those who glory in any other defence and protection than the Divine power, providence, and promise, will, sooner or later, be ashamed of their glorying. Those who will not leave it to God to take vengeance for them, may expect that he will take vengeance on them. The equity of the Lord's judgments is to be observed, when he not only avenges injuries upon those that did them, but by those against whom they were done. Those who treasure up old hatred, and watch for the opportunity of manifesting it, are treasuring up for themselves wrath against the day of wrath.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Seir - The seed of Esau, the Edomites. Seir was the mountain where they first planted themselves. Is like - Are no more a select people than others.
McArther Bible Commentary
Moab and Seir. The origin of these people is given in Gen 19:37-38. Their land was the area south of the Arnon River along the lower region of the Dead Sea. Cf. Isaiah 15; 16; Jeremiah 48; Amo 2:1-3. The Babylonians destroyed cities there in 582/81 B.C. The reason for judgment (Eze 25:8) also included their gloating over Israel's fall, as well as their scorn in saying Israel was like all other people with no privileged position before God. Both Ammonites and Moabites became absorbed into the Arabian peoples.
Bible Cross References
Isaiah 15:1 Isaiah 25:10 Jeremiah 48:1 Ezekiel 26:2 Amos 2:1 Amos 2:2 Zephaniah 2:8

Verse 9

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Against the Moabites, Edomites, and Philistines.
Though one event seem to the righteous and wicked, it is vastly different. Those who glory in any other defence and protection than the Divine power, providence, and promise, will, sooner or later, be ashamed of their glorying. Those who will not leave it to God to take vengeance for them, may expect that he will take vengeance on them. The equity of the Lord's judgments is to be observed, when he not only avenges injuries upon those that did them, but by those against whom they were done. Those who treasure up old hatred, and watch for the opportunity of manifesting it, are treasuring up for themselves wrath against the day of wrath.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The side - That part of his country which was best fortified. Bethjeshimoth - An ancient city; it was a fortress toward the desert, which watched lest any should make an inroad on the country.
Bible Cross References
Numbers 32:3 Numbers 32:37 Numbers 32:38 Numbers 33:49 Joshua 12:3 Joshua 13:17 Joshua 13:19 Joshua 13:20 1 Chronicles 5:8 Jeremiah 48:1 Jeremiah 48:23

Verse 10

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Against the Moabites, Edomites, and Philistines.
Though one event seem to the righteous and wicked, it is vastly different. Those who glory in any other defence and protection than the Divine power, providence, and promise, will, sooner or later, be ashamed of their glorying. Those who will not leave it to God to take vengeance for them, may expect that he will take vengeance on them. The equity of the Lord's judgments is to be observed, when he not only avenges injuries upon those that did them, but by those against whom they were done. Those who treasure up old hatred, and watch for the opportunity of manifesting it, are treasuring up for themselves wrath against the day of wrath.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
With the Ammonites - As I have given Ammon, so I will with them give Moab to the Chaldeans, who will give it to the Arabians.
Bible Cross References
Ezekiel 21:32 Ezekiel 25:4 Ezekiel 25:11

Verse 11

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Against the Moabites, Edomites, and Philistines.
Though one event seem to the righteous and wicked, it is vastly different. Those who glory in any other defence and protection than the Divine power, providence, and promise, will, sooner or later, be ashamed of their glorying. Those who will not leave it to God to take vengeance for them, may expect that he will take vengeance on them. The equity of the Lord's judgments is to be observed, when he not only avenges injuries upon those that did them, but by those against whom they were done. Those who treasure up old hatred, and watch for the opportunity of manifesting it, are treasuring up for themselves wrath against the day of wrath.
Bible Cross References
Ezekiel 25:10 Ezekiel 25:12 Ezekiel 28:26 Ezekiel 30:19

Verse 12

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Against the Moabites, Edomites, and Philistines.
Though one event seem to the righteous and wicked, it is vastly different. Those who glory in any other defence and protection than the Divine power, providence, and promise, will, sooner or later, be ashamed of their glorying. Those who will not leave it to God to take vengeance for them, may expect that he will take vengeance on them. The equity of the Lord's judgments is to be observed, when he not only avenges injuries upon those that did them, but by those against whom they were done. Those who treasure up old hatred, and watch for the opportunity of manifesting it, are treasuring up for themselves wrath against the day of wrath.
McArther Bible Commentary
Edom. Cf. chapter 35; Isa 21:11-12; Jer 49:7-22; Amo 1:11-12; Obadiah; Mal 1:3-5. These people lived south of Moab from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqabah. These people had been almost annihilated by David (2Sa 8:14), but they won back independence during the reign of Ahaz (c. 735-715 B.C.). Their revenge was hostility toward Israel constantly (cf. Gen 27:27-41; Isa 34:5-7). The reason for judgment is Edom's disdain when the Israelites were devastated in 588-86 B.C. They acted like a cheering section for Babylon, calling out "raze it, raze it" (Psa 137:7; Lam 4:21-22).
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 28:17 Psalm 137:7 Isaiah 34:5 Isaiah 63:1 Jeremiah 49:7 Ezekiel 25:11 Ezekiel 25:15 Ezekiel 35:2 Ezekiel 35:5 Amos 1:11 Obadiah 1:1 Obadiah 1:10

Verse 13

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Against the Moabites, Edomites, and Philistines.
Though one event seem to the righteous and wicked, it is vastly different. Those who glory in any other defence and protection than the Divine power, providence, and promise, will, sooner or later, be ashamed of their glorying. Those who will not leave it to God to take vengeance for them, may expect that he will take vengeance on them. The equity of the Lord's judgments is to be observed, when he not only avenges injuries upon those that did them, but by those against whom they were done. Those who treasure up old hatred, and watch for the opportunity of manifesting it, are treasuring up for themselves wrath against the day of wrath.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Teman - A country in the southern coast of Edom. Dedan - Adjoining to Edom.
McArther Bible Commentary
against Edom … by the hand of My people Israel. The Arab tribe of the Nabateans invaded Edom in 325 B.C., but it was the Jewish forces of Judas Maccabeus in 164 B.C. and John Hyrcanus in 126 B.C. which fully subjugated Edom. Jews even compelled Edomites to submit to their religion. All three of these nations (Ammon, Moab, and Edom) have disappeared as separate nations, being absorbed into the Arab peoples.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:34 Psalm 138:7 Jeremiah 25:23 Jeremiah 49:7 Jeremiah 49:8 Jeremiah 49:13 Ezekiel 14:17 Ezekiel 25:7 Ezekiel 27:15 Ezekiel 29:8 Ezekiel 32:29 Ezekiel 35:3 Ezekiel 35:9 Ezekiel 38:13 Amos 1:12 Obadiah 1:9 Malachi 1:3 Malachi 1:4

Verse 14

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Against the Moabites, Edomites, and Philistines.
Though one event seem to the righteous and wicked, it is vastly different. Those who glory in any other defence and protection than the Divine power, providence, and promise, will, sooner or later, be ashamed of their glorying. Those who will not leave it to God to take vengeance for them, may expect that he will take vengeance on them. The equity of the Lord's judgments is to be observed, when he not only avenges injuries upon those that did them, but by those against whom they were done. Those who treasure up old hatred, and watch for the opportunity of manifesting it, are treasuring up for themselves wrath against the day of wrath.
Bible Cross References
Isaiah 11:14 Ezekiel 35:11

Verse 15

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Against the Moabites, Edomites, and Philistines.
Though one event seem to the righteous and wicked, it is vastly different. Those who glory in any other defence and protection than the Divine power, providence, and promise, will, sooner or later, be ashamed of their glorying. Those who will not leave it to God to take vengeance for them, may expect that he will take vengeance on them. The equity of the Lord's judgments is to be observed, when he not only avenges injuries upon those that did them, but by those against whom they were done. Those who treasure up old hatred, and watch for the opportunity of manifesting it, are treasuring up for themselves wrath against the day of wrath.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
It - Israel.
McArther Bible Commentary
the Philistines. Cf. Isa 14:29-33; Jeremiah 47; Joe 3:4; Amo 1:6-8; Oba 1:19; Zep 2:4-7; Zec 9:5. The reason for their judgment was perpetual enmity, and vengefulness against Israel, which perpetuated the "old hatred" from as far back as Judges 13-16. They constantly harassed and oppressed Israel until David broke their power during Saul's reign (1 Sam. 17). They repeatedly rose up and were subdued by Israel. Nebuchadnezzar invaded their land (Jer. 47).
Bible Cross References
Isaiah 14:29 Ezekiel 25:6 Ezekiel 25:12 Ezekiel 35:5 Joel 3:4

Verse 16

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Against the Moabites, Edomites, and Philistines.
Though one event seem to the righteous and wicked, it is vastly different. Those who glory in any other defence and protection than the Divine power, providence, and promise, will, sooner or later, be ashamed of their glorying. Those who will not leave it to God to take vengeance for them, may expect that he will take vengeance on them. The equity of the Lord's judgments is to be observed, when he not only avenges injuries upon those that did them, but by those against whom they were done. Those who treasure up old hatred, and watch for the opportunity of manifesting it, are treasuring up for themselves wrath against the day of wrath.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The Cherethim - The bowmen, the strength of Philistia. The remnant - Who had escaped the sword of Samuel, David, Hezekiah, and of Psammetichus king of Egypt.
McArther Bible Commentary
Cherethites. They originated in Crete and became part of the Philistine nation (see note on 1Sa 30:14), with some serving in David's bodyguard (2Sa 8:18; 2Sa 15:18).
Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 30:14 Jeremiah 25:20 Jeremiah 47:1 Ezekiel 25:7 Amos 1:8 Zephaniah 2:5

Verse 17

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Against the Moabites, Edomites, and Philistines.
Though one event seem to the righteous and wicked, it is vastly different. Those who glory in any other defence and protection than the Divine power, providence, and promise, will, sooner or later, be ashamed of their glorying. Those who will not leave it to God to take vengeance for them, may expect that he will take vengeance on them. The equity of the Lord's judgments is to be observed, when he not only avenges injuries upon those that did them, but by those against whom they were done. Those who treasure up old hatred, and watch for the opportunity of manifesting it, are treasuring up for themselves wrath against the day of wrath.
McArther Bible Commentary
great vengeance. This was fulfilled at the time of Babylon's invasion of 588-86 B.C. or 582/81 B.C. (cf. Jer 25:20; Jer 47:1-7).
Bible Cross References
Exodus 7:17 Psalm 9:16 Psalm 149:7 Ezekiel 5:15 Ezekiel 26:1