And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;

EZEKIEL 25:3KJV
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Ezekiel 25:3 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 25:3 mean?

Ezekiel 25:3 records God’s message to the Ammonites, declaring that because they mocked and rejoiced over the downfall of God’s sanctuary, the land of Israel, and the people of Judah when they were conquered and taken captive, God is now addressing them with a warning. The verse shows that God notices and responds to the attitudes of neighboring nations toward Israel’s suffering.

In this verse, God instructs Ezekiel to speak directly to the Ammonites, a neighboring people east of Israel. The Ammonites had expressed satisfaction (“Aha”) at Israel’s misfortune—specifically, when the temple was desecrated, the land left empty, and the people exiled. This sets the stage for God’s judgment against the Ammonites, showing that their reaction to Israel’s tragedy was seen as offensive by God.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 25:3

  • "Aha" (הֶאָח / he'ach): This word is an exclamation of gloating or triumph over someone else’s trouble. Its use here highlights the Ammonites’ attitude of mockery and satisfaction at Israel’s downfall, which is the main reason for God’s rebuke.
  • "Sanctuary" (מִקְדָּשׁ / miqdash): This word refers to the temple, the holiest place for Israel. The mention of it being “profaned” (חָלַל / chalal) underscores the depth of the tragedy and the seriousness of the Ammonites’ reaction.
  • "Desolate" (שָׁמֵם / shamem): This word describes the land of Israel as abandoned or ruined, emphasizing the complete devastation that the Ammonites were celebrating.
  • "Captivity" (גּוֹלָה / golah): This term refers to the forced exile of Judah’s people. The Ammonites’ joy at this event shows a lack of compassion and a hostile relationship with Israel.

Why Ezekiel 25:3 matters

  • Ezekiel 25:3 clarifies that God holds not only Israel but also other nations accountable for their attitudes and actions toward His people, especially when those actions are rooted in hostility or mockery.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness with which God views the desecration of His sanctuary and the suffering of His people, making it clear that even the reactions of outsiders are significant to Him.
  • This verse connects to a larger section where Ezekiel delivers messages of judgment against Israel’s neighbors, showing that God’s justice is not limited to Israel but extends to all nations based on their conduct.

Where else these words appear

“Aha” Hebrew H1889 · used in 9 verses

  • Job 39:25 He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
  • Psalms 35:25 Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
  • Isaiah 44:16 He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:

“captivity” Hebrew H1473 · used in 41 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:15 And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.
  • Ezra 10:8 And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.
  • Jeremiah 49:3 Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together.

“sanctuary” Hebrew H4720 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
  • Nehemiah 10:39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
  • Ezekiel 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

“desolate” Hebrew H8074 · used in 87 verses

  • Leviticus 26:22 I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate.
  • Isaiah 54:1 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.
  • Ezekiel 28:19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.