Ezekiel 25:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They shall understand that I am the Lord when I execute My vengeance upon them.

After addressing the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Seir—who were also linked to Edom through Lot—He proceeds to the Philistines, referred to in the LXX as ἀλλοφύλους, meaning foreigners. This nomenclature does not encompass the entirety of nations outside the Jewish line but signifies a specific people, now recognized as the Palestinians. The term underwent a Greek transformation, shifting from phi to pi, akin to how we use the Greek and Latin word for Easter rather than the Hebrew phrase rhase. The name Philistines implies those who have fallen from grace—they drank deeply from Babylon's golden cup and revel in their unrestrained joy, nurturing their past hatred of Israel, which set them apart from God’s chosen.

Although the Lord promises vengeance and retribution (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19), they take matters into their own hands, enacting revenge and expressing their hostility through destruction. Thus, they will feel the Lord's hand against them, which will decimate the decimators. The LXX, for unclear reasons, translates Cretans here, whereas translators like Aquila, Simmachus, and Theodotion utilize the Hebrew term chorethim—meaning exterminators or extermination—both in this context and in Zephaniah, where it is proclaimed against the Philistines: Gaza will suffer plunder, Ashkelon will face utter destruction, and Ashdod and Ekron will be eradicated. Woe to those dwelling by the sea, O strangers of Crete; the word of the Lord is upon you, O Canaan, land of foreigners, for I will dismantle your dwelling. And Crete shall be a pasture for the flocks and a haven for sheep.

In this instance, the LXX again translates the term as Crete, while others read it as extermination or destruction. As we have previously stated, with divine assistance, what was fitting to convey. Therefore, concerning David's two groups, one known as phelethi and the other as segethi (2 Samuel 15), the latter came to be labeled chorethim, meaning slayers, for they are relentless in their killing. The Lord will annihilate all remnants along the coastal territory susceptible to saltwater's wrath, enacting a great vengeance in anger so that His fury may replace mercy. When He enforces this vengeance with intensity, the Philistines will ultimately realize that He is the Lord.

Rather, by embracing His constant blessings, let us become recipients of His grace and endeavor to turn away from the destructive nature of vengefulness, aware of its devastating outcomes. Let us adhere to the apostolic instruction to not allow the sun to set on our anger towards one another but to resolve our disputes before the day ends. In doing so, we shall mitigate the wrath of the righteous Judge against ourselves, and we shall receive that cherished and invaluable favor of His, attainable to us all through the grace and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ. With Him be glory to the Father, with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever! Amen.