Ezekiel 25:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Once, it was said that when the city was opened and the temple unlocked, the children of Ammon, Moab, and Seir entered and witnessed the cherubim overshadowing the altar of purification. They claimed, ‘Just as all nations honor their images, so Judah possesses idols in their worship’; for this reason, the Lord became angry and handed them over to captivity. However, we assert that they rejoiced at Judah’s downfall when it fell to the Chaldeans, believing that even in their land, God’s aid was absent, just as among other nations. Thus, the kingdom of Judah and Jerusalem became vulnerable to Babylonian power.

The Lord now promises to reveal or diminish the strength and refuge of Moab, beginning from its cities, so that the Babylonian conqueror may invade them, leading to the destruction of these once glorious locations. Among these sites are mentioned Beth-Jesimoth, Beelmeon, and Cariaphaim, though the Septuagint has, for reasons unknown, rendered it as the house of Beth-Jesimoth. The word suggests a desolate city, while Beelmeon is a substantial village still in existence, translated as ‘over the spring,’ and Cariaphaim interpreted as a coastal city.

Similarly, these places, alongside the children of Ammon, are handed to the children of the East, meaning the Babylonians, as previously explained in the context of Ammon. The Lord declares, “I will assign Moab as an inheritance,” to execute justice upon Moab, ensuring that they, like the children of Ammon, become unrecognized among the nations, allowing them to realize that He is the Lord who delivered Judah for its transgressions, promising vengeance against both Ammon and Moab.

Yet, Moab, whose name signifies ‘from the father’, and Seir, meaning ‘hairy’ or ‘rugged’, continues to mock and despise the house of Judah, where true faith resides, thinking its downfall can be as effortless as that of other cities. Therefore, the Lord threatens to shatter the strength of the Moabites, leading to the cessation of their cities and nullifying their reliance on worldly wisdom. All their borders, eroded by the waves, shall fall to ruin, and their esteemed lands shall perish—Beth-Jesimoth, indicating ‘house of the waste’ and desolation; Beelmeon, ‘having a spring’; and Cariaphaim, which the Septuagint translates as seaside city.

For despite their esteemed warriors and strategic fortifications, their cherished land stands as a dwelling place among desolation. Although they believe they possess a wellspring of knowledge, a city adept in facing every tempest, assuming resilience and strength as their traits, they too shall ultimately surrender to the children of the East, embodying the true light in Christ, just as the children of Ammon were delivered who relied upon their own strength amidst heretical multitudes.

It is crucial to observe the profound goodness of God displayed even through His threats—that the children of the East shall be granted inheritance alongside the children of Ammon, resulting in no mention of heresies among the nations. When the judgment and retribution upon Moab for their arrogance are fulfilled, they shall acknowledge that He is the Lord, sovereign over all.

In accordance with the interpretation that identifies Moab with the pride of philosophers, we find references beginning with, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the understanding of the prudent will I reject.” Examples from the prophets highlight this: Amos declares, “For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away from him, because he burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime.” Indeed, all worldviews rooted in misguided doctrines and ephemeral knowledge, deemed formidable, are obliterated by divine truth and reduced to ashes.

Isaiah proclaims the downfall of Moab, noting their significant reproach, “I have taken away his pride.” Jeremiah, when prophesying against the nations, addresses Moab: “For you trust in your fortifications,” and shortly thereafter, “you confide in your glory.” He asks, “How do you say, ‘I am strong’?” Furthermore, he states, “The day of Moab is near; his calamity is at hand.” When we consider all these assertions about Moab, we perceive the imagery of defiant pride that aspires to ascend to the heavens—this arrogance shall ultimately be crushed.

25:25); and Jacob’s father spoke to his mother about Esau saying: “Esau my brother is a man with hairy skin, but I am a smooth-skinned man” (Gen. 27:11). Therefore, says God, because Seir and Moab, delighting in the misfortunes of My people, have dared to proclaim that My people are indistinguishable from the other nations, and this blasphemy shall fall upon Me, as if I, powerless like the idols of other nations, lacked the ability to protect My people; I will sever the strength of Moab from its cities, meaning I will shatter their might and bring ruin upon not only the highland cities but also those by the coast. The coastal cities refer to those near the Dead Sea; for the Moabites lived far from other seas. He also names the cities, a few remnants of which still exist; some in one part of Arabia, and others in another. Additionally, He declares that they will be delivered to their enemies, just as their brethren, the sons of Ammon, were; and that through experience, they will see how mighty the Lord is, capable of delivering them, yet unwilling because of the people's wickedness. Hence, He added, "And they shall be led away, for I am the Lord." Having declared the fate of Moab, He then turned His message to Seir, or Edom.