Ezekiel 25:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

I will assign the inheritance of these regions, making it so that the children of Ammon shall no longer be a reference point among nations. I will take retribution on Moab, and they will realize that I am the Lord.

It has been documented that upon the opening of the city and the temple, the children of Ammon, Moab, and Seir proudly entered and observed the cherubim covering the sanctum, proclaiming, ‘Just as all nations venerate images, so too does Judah possess idols in its faith;’ this evoked the Lord's anger, leading to their captivity. Additionally, they celebrated the fall of Judah to the Chaldeans, believing that God’s aid was absent from Judah, just as it was in other nations, rendering the kingdom of Judah and Jerusalem vulnerable to Babylonian authority. Consequently, the Lord threatens to weaken or unveil the defenses of Moab. This includes afflictions upon its cities, allowing the Babylonian conqueror access, leading to the desolation of Moab's esteemed cities. The names from these cities—Beth-Jesimoth, Beelmeon, and Cariaphaim—have been rendered with uncertainty in translation, with the LXX notably characterizing Beth-Jesimoth as a city of desolation and Beelmeon having a spring over it. Alongside the children of Ammon, it will serve as an inheritance to the children of the East, namely the Babylonians.

The Lord professes that He will allocate Moab as an inheritance to enact retribution and justice upon it as well, similar to how the children of Ammon will fade from memory among the nations, making it known that He is the Lord who delivered Judah due to its transgressions. I shall become the avenger of the children of Ammon and Moab. Moab, denoting "from the father," and Seir, signifying "hairy and scrawny," continue in their scorn of the house of Judah, which holds the true faith. They mistakenly believe they can easily bring about its destruction as one might do to a fortified city. Thus, the Lord threatens to dismantle all strength present among the Moabites, leading to the disappearance of their cities, unable to rely solely on their arguments. The geographical extremes, known as promontories due to the relentless waves, will be destroyed along with their cherished and favored areas—Beth-Jesimoth meaning "the house of the wilderness," Beelmeon signifying "the one with a spring," and Cariaphaim described as a coastal city by the LXX.

Even though they might be imbued with warrior prowess, embarking on warfare with the art of strategy, and fortifying themselves on all sides, their coveted land stands more as a refuge for desolation than as a home. They may fancy themselves guardians of knowledge and resilient fortifications to withstand every tempest, mistakenly attributing endurance to themselves. However, their downfall is destined as they too will be handed over to the children of the East, representing the true light found in Christ, just as the children of Ammon were lost amid the multitude of heretics.

It is essential to reflect on the gracious outcome and the goodness of God showcased in this very warning—that along with the children of Ammon, the children of the East shall receive their allotment, erasing any hint of heresy among the nations. Once the Lord’s judgment and vengeance upon Moab for their pride are fulfilled, they will come to recognize His sovereignty, who governs all matters. In reference to Moab depicting the pride of philosophers, it is similarly said: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will reject the understanding of the prudent.

Prophetic references further highlight this. Amos proclaims, ‘Thus says the Lord: For the three sins of Moab, even for four, I will not turn away My wrath; because they burned as lime the bones of the king of Edom.’ This shows that all worldly fallacies, earthly wisdom seen as strong, will ultimately be consumed and reduced to ashes, revealing the inherent fragility of what was deemed powerful. Isaiah also rebukes Moab’s arrogance, stating that their reproach is eminent and they have been stripped of their pride. Jeremiah, in a prophecy against nations, challenges Moab about their reliance on fortifications, and soon after reminds them of their misplaced trust in their glory. The Lord warns that the day of Moab is imminent with swift destruction brewing, asking rhetorically how their strength could falter and when Moab’s horn will be broken.

What is illustrated through the figure of Moab is the irrational pride that seeks to exalt itself above all—this shall be shattered.

25:25); and Jacob remarked to his mother about Esau: My brother is a man of hairy skin, whereas I have smooth skin (Gen. 27:11). Hence, the Lord proclaims that since Seir and Moab, rejoicing in the misfortunes of My people, have audaciously asserted that My people lack distinction from the other nations—this blasphemy shall reflect upon Me, as if I were powerless like the idols of the Gentiles, unable to defend My people—I will strip Moab of its fortifications; that is, I shall crush their might and bring ruin not only to their mountainous cities but also to their coastal towns. The coastal towns refer to those near the Dead Sea, as the Moabites resided far from any other sea. He mentions the names of the towns, of which a small remnant still exists, some in one part of Arabia and others in another. He further indicates that these cities will also fall into the hands of the same enemies who overtook the sons of Ammon; this will demonstrate how powerful the Lord is, capable of defense, yet unwilling due to the people's transgressions. Thus, He declares, they shall be taken captive, for I am the Lord. After declaring the fate of Moab, He directed His attention to Seir, which is synonymous with Edom.