Ezekiel 25:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The two nations mentioned are Moab and Seir, but focusing solely on Moab, we return to the initial subject: what actions did Seir, or Edom, undertake? It is clear from Scripture that Esau, Seir, Edom, and Idumea represent a single people. Not only have other prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos proclaimed against Edom, but the prophet Abijah delivered a specific prophecy aimed at this nation, which we have previously explored.

Seir is denounced, named for its hairiness, while Edom is labeled 'bloody' due to the story of red lentils, wherein he forfeited his birthright and gained the title associated with sustenance. Esau embodies his own deeds. It should be noted that in the Hebrew text, Edom is consistently mentioned, and the Greek translation refers to it as Idumea. Unlike Moab, Edom harbored vengeance toward the children of Judah, recalling past grievances to retaliate against those who had caused him distress from the womb.

Therefore, it was not through angels or any other means, but by the Lord Himself that He reached out against Edom, annihilating both men and cattle, transforming its cities into desolation. This includes Theman, our translation for the south, as well as Dedan, where those destroyed shall fall by the sword. Since they sought to exact vengeance on Judah, I will bring about retribution against the Edomites through My people Israel, ensuring they face destruction for the harm they inflicted. They shall act against Edom according to My wrath and fury so that My anger is fulfilled. Thus, through My people Israel, the severity of My wrath will be disclosed against this hostile nation, illustrating that this serves as a righteous recompense for Edom's unjust actions.

In an allegorical sense, Edom represents the earthly and carnal aspects that rebel against the spirit, attempting to draw inward the soul and retaliating against those once subordinate to it—the children of Judah—due to past afflictions, as it lacked inherent power. Consequently, it seeks to avenge those who have turned away from fleshly pursuits in favor of the spirit. As avenger of the children of Judah, the Lord stretches out His hand against Edom, destroying what appears to possess reason or simple faith, to render it a wasteland.

From Theman, signifying deficiency, and from Dedan, meaning kinship, He destroyed all with the sword wielded by His people Israel, seeking to bring ruin upon Edom and demonstrate the severity of God's wrath, affirming that this retribution was aimed at assisting the house of Judah. This aligns with the apostle's message in Romans 9:13: "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated." He loves Jacob for overcoming worldly matters and deserving His blessings. Initially, we live according to the flesh, and subsequently according to the spirit. First come the vices followed by the virtues that abolish them, acknowledging that from youth, the human heart tends toward evil (Gen. 8), and youthful errors are judged in maturity. Hence, David expresses, "The sin of my youth and my ignorance shall not be remembered" (Ps. 24:7). It should also be noted that Jacob received the first blessing while Esau received the second. The statement at the conclusion, "Thou shalt serve thy brother" (Gen. 27:40), signifies that when the flesh yields to the spirit and merges with it, it ceases to be mere flesh, and Edom transforms into Judah.

Therefore, I gave them into the hands of My own people, whom the Edomites had wronged, so that from their complete desolation they might witness the might of My rule. Thebes, the city of Edom, and Dedan, the city of Abraham's sons born to Keturah, were named after their builders, and Dedan was closely associated with Edom. Having shared this prophecy concerning them, the Lord proceeds to prophesy against foreign nations; for the Edomites, as descendants of Isaac, were not outsiders, nor were the Ammonites and Moabites, who descended from Lot. However, the Tyrians, Sidonians, and various neighboring nations were indeed strangers. The Holy Scripture designates the Ascalonians, Gazans, Hephaites, Acaronites, and inhabitants of Azot as foreigners, emphasizing their proximity to Judah's borders and their close association with one another. Thus, God states what is to come upon them.