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:

EZEKIEL 35:5KJV
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Ezekiel 35:5 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 35:5 mean?

Ezekiel 35:5 says that because Edom (the nation addressed here) has held onto a deep, ongoing hatred and attacked the people of Israel when they were most vulnerable, Edom is being judged for this violence. The verse points to Edom’s actions during Israel’s time of disaster, especially when Israel’s own wrongdoing was coming to an end.

The prophet Ezekiel is speaking God’s message to Edom, Israel’s neighbor and long-time rival. The situation is that Edom took advantage of Israel’s suffering, using violence (“the force of the sword”) when Israel was already facing calamity. The verse highlights not just the act of violence, but the lasting hostility and the timing—striking Israel at its weakest, rather than showing mercy.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 35:5

  • "Perpetual" (עוֹלָם, ʿolam): This word often means something lasting or ancient. Here, it stresses that Edom’s hatred was not just a momentary anger but a deep-seated, ongoing hostility.
  • "Hatred" (אֵיבָה, ʾeyvah): This word means enmity or deep hostility. The verse singles out Edom’s attitude as much as their actions.
  • "Calamity" (אֵיד, ʾeyd): This word refers to disaster or ruin. The verse points out that Edom attacked when Israel was already experiencing great misfortune.
  • "End" (קֵץ, qets): This word means an end or a limit. The verse notes that Edom struck when Israel’s iniquity was reaching its conclusion, suggesting a time when judgment was already falling on Israel, and Edom’s attack was an added blow.

Why Ezekiel 35:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God notices not just what people do, but when and why they do it—Edom is judged for taking advantage of Israel’s lowest moment.
  • The focus on “perpetual hatred” shows that long-standing grudges and attitudes are significant in God’s eyes, not just single acts.
  • Ezekiel 35:5 ties into the wider passage where God is pronouncing judgment on Edom for their attitude and actions toward Israel, showing that God holds nations accountable for how they treat others, especially the vulnerable.

Where else these words appear

“hatred” Hebrew H342 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
  • Numbers 35:21 Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
  • Numbers 35:22 But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,

“shed” Hebrew H5064 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Samuel 14:14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.
  • Psalms 75:8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.
  • Lamentations 3:49 Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,

“calamity” Hebrew H343 · used in 22 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
  • Job 31:23 For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.
  • Proverbs 27:10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

“end” Hebrew H7093 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
  • Esther 2:12 Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women,(for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)
  • Ezekiel 7:2 Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.