And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couchingplace for flocks: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

EZEKIEL 25:5KJV
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Ezekiel 25:5 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 25:5 mean?

Ezekiel 25:5 says that God will turn Rabbah, the main city of the Ammonites, into a place for camels to stay and the land of the Ammonites into a resting spot for flocks. This is a prophecy of total ruin, showing that the city and its people will be so destroyed that only animals will live there, and everyone will know that the LORD is behind it.

The prophet Ezekiel is speaking God's message to the Ammonites, a neighboring nation often hostile to Israel. In this verse, God announces judgment on their capital, Rabbah, promising it will be reduced from a proud city to a deserted place for animals. The verse stresses that this devastation will make it clear to all that the LORD (Yahweh) is the one true God acting in history.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 25:5

  • רַבָּה (Rabbah, H7237): This is the main city of the Ammonites. Naming it specifically shows that even the strongest part of their nation will not escape judgment.
  • נָוֶה (navêh, H5116): Translated "stable" or "pasture," this word means a dwelling place for animals. Using it for Rabbah highlights the depth of its fall from a city to an animal shelter.
  • מַרְבֵּץ (marbētz, H4769): This word for "couchingplace" means a spot where animals lie down. It paints a picture of the land being so empty of people that only flocks rest there.
  • יָדַע (yada‘, H3045): The verb "know" here means to recognize or acknowledge. The point is that the destruction will lead people to realize the LORD’s power and identity.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH, H3068): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that it is Israel’s God, not the gods of the Ammonites, who brings this about.

Why Ezekiel 25:5 matters

  • Ezekiel 25:5 clears up that the prophecy is not just about military defeat but about complete desolation, where cities become animal shelters.
  • The verse highlights that God’s actions are not random but meant to reveal His identity and authority to all nations, not just Israel.
  • This verse connects to the wider section where Ezekiel pronounces judgments on Israel’s neighbors, showing that God holds all nations accountable for their actions.

Where else these words appear

“couchingplace” Hebrew H4769 · used in 2 verses

  • Zephaniah 2:15 This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.

“Rabbah” Hebrew H7237 · used in 14 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:11 For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.
  • 2 Samuel 12:26 And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
  • 1 Chronicles 20:1 And it came to pass, that after the year was expired, at the time that kings go out to battle, Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and destroyed it.

“stable” Hebrew H5116 · used in 35 verses

  • Exodus 15:13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
  • Proverbs 21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
  • Jeremiah 25:30 Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.

“camels” Hebrew H1581 · used in 51 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Genesis 30:43 And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.
  • 2 Kings 8:9 So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?