Verses 1-17

§ 1. Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia

These four nations were the neighbours of Israel on the E., SE., and SW. respectively, and are dealt with in their geographical order. Ammon and Moab are denounced for their exultation at the fall of Jerusalem, Edom and Philistia for their revengeful share in Israel's humiliation. All of them are threatened with destruction from God. The instruments of the judgment are to be the Bedouins of the desert in the case of Ammon and Moab, and Israel in the case of Edom. The destroyers of the Philistines are not indicated.

1-7. Ammon.

For the Ammonites see on Ezekiel 21:28. In addition it may be observed that the king of Ammon was a party to the plot against Gedaliah, the governor whom Nebuchadrezzar left in Palestine after the capture of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 40:14; Jeremiah 41:10, Jeremiah 41:15). See Intro

3. The destruction of Jerusalem has taken place. The Ammonites have rejoiced at Israel's calamity. Ezekiel 21:6 speaks of their gestures of triumph.

4. Men of the east] the Bedouins of the desert: so in Ezekiel 25:10. Palaces] RV 'encampments.'

5. Rabbah] the capital of Ammon.

8-11. Moab.

The Moabites, like the Ammonites, were descended from Lot (Genesis 19:37). Their country lay E. of the Dead Sea, and S. of Ammon, the Arnon being the boundary. They were at times subject to Israel and at times independent, but always hostile.

8. And Seir] These words should be omitted. Edom (Seir) is dealt with separately below. Behold, etc.] The Moabites denied Israel's claim to be the people of the true God. Heathen] RV 'nations.'

9. Side] RM 'shoulder,' i.e. frontier. Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, Kiriathaim] three frontier cities of Moab: see Numbers 33:49; Joshua 12:3; Joshua 13:17, Joshua 13:19, Joshua 13:20. The last two were in the territory of Reuben (Numbers 32:37-38).

12-14. Edom.

The Edomites were descended from Esau (Genesis 36:43). They showed a specially unbrotherly spirit when Jerusalem fell: see Psalms 137:7; Lamentations 4:21-22; Obadiah 1:11-16.

13. Teman] a grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:11). Also a town or district of Edom (Jeremiah 49:7, Jeremiah 49:20; Amos 1:11; Obadiah 1:9). And they of Dedan] RV 'even unto Dedan.' Dedan was a district of N. Arabia, and is mentioned here as the southern border of Edom, Teman being presumably the northern extremity: see Genesis 10:7; Genesis 25:3; Isaiah 21:13; Jeremiah 25:23.

15-17. Philistia.

The Philistines dwelt on the coast, SW. of Palestine. They were oppressors of Israel in early times, but were vanquished by David. They sought every opportunity of annoying Israel afterwards (2 Chronicles 21:16; 2 Chronicles 26:7; 2 Chronicles 28:18), and they seem to have joined with Edom in embittering the fate of Jerusalem: see Ezekiel 16:57.

15. For the old hatred] RV 'with perpetual enmity.'

16. Cherethims] RV 'Cherethites,' a Philistine tribe (1 Samuel 30:14; Zephaniah 2:5) from which David's body-guard was partly drawn (2 Samuel 8:18; 2 Samuel 15:18; 2 Samuel 20:7; 1 Kings 1:38, etc.).

Verses 1-32

Prophecies against Foreign Nations

These chapters come between those which deal with the overthrow of the Old Israel (1-24) and those which describe the establishment of the New Israel (33-48), and they form an introduction to the latter group. Their significance is well explained in Ezekiel 28:24-26. The fall of Jerusalem seemed to be a victory of heathendom over the people of the true God, and it was needful to show that it was not so. The God of Israel who had visited His people with this punishment would send His judgments on the heathen nations also, and would öonvinöe them that He was the living God. The humiliation of these nations would clear the stage for the restoration of Israel, which would no longer be troubled by its formerly hostile neighbours. These prophecies fall into three groups: (1) against the lesser and nearer nations, Ammon, Moab, Edom, and the Philistines (Ezekiel 25), (2) against Tyre and Sidon (Ezekiel 26-28), (3) against Egypt (Ezekiel 29-32). With the exception of Ezekiel 29:17-21, these prophecies are mostly dated in years either just before or just after the capture of Jerusalem.