Ezekiel 35:7 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 35:7 mean?

Ezekiel 35:7 says that God will make Mount Seir completely desolate, with no one left to pass through or return. The verse is a declaration of total devastation against Mount Seir, meaning its people and activity will be wiped out.

In this verse, the prophet Ezekiel is speaking God’s message to the land of Edom, represented by Mount Seir. The Edomites were long-standing enemies of Israel, and this warning comes as part of a larger prophecy against them. The language emphasizes that the destruction will be so thorough that the area will be deserted, with no travelers or inhabitants left.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 35:7

• "most desolate" (שְׁמָמָה שְׁמָמָה, shemamah shemamah): The repetition of the Hebrew word for "desolate" intensifies the sense of utter ruin, stressing that the devastation will be complete and not just partial.
• "cut off" (וְהִכְרַתִּי, ve-hikhrati): This word means to cut off or destroy, and here it underlines the idea that everyone—whether leaving or returning—will be removed, leaving the land empty.
• "passeth out" (עוֹבֵר, over) and "returneth" (שָׁב, shav): These words refer to people traveling through or coming back, highlighting that no movement or life will remain in the area.

Why Ezekiel 35:7 matters

• This verse clarifies that the judgment on Mount Seir is not just a temporary setback but a total and lasting desolation, with no survivors or ongoing life.
• The emphasis on both "him that passeth out and him that returneth" shows that the destruction will affect everyone, not just a specific group, making the prophecy more severe.
• Understanding this verse helps set the tone for the surrounding passage, showing the seriousness of Edom’s actions against Israel and the completeness of the consequences they will face.