Ezekiel 35:5

“Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time that their iniquity had an end.”

Context:This verse is part of a prophecy given by the prophet Ezekiel concerning the judgment of Mount Seir, a region identified with the Edomites, who were the descendants of Esau.

The Edomites were neighboring enemies of the Israelites and had a longstanding conflict with them.

In this particular verse, Ezekiel condemns Mount Seir for their actions against the children of Israel.

It mentions three specific charges against them:

"Perpetual hatred":The Edomites harbored an ongoing and deep-seated hatred towards the people of Israel.

"Shedding the blood of the children of Israel":The Edomites resorted to violence and warfare, causing the death of Israelites.

"In the time that their iniquity had an end":This phrase suggests that the Israelites had experienced a time of punishment for their sins, and their iniquity had reached its limit or had come to an end.

However, instead of showing mercy or compassion, the Edomites took advantage of this situation to further harm the Israelites.

Overall, Ezekiel 35:5 portrays the Edomites as ruthless enemies of Israel, who not only held a long-standing hatred but also seized an opportunity to inflict violence and shed blood on the Israelites when they were already in a state of distress.

This verse serves as a reminder that God takes notice of the actions and intentions of nations and individuals.

It also reveals God’s concern for justice and His commitment to holding accountable those who perpetrate violence and hatred against His people.