Daily Tanach – Yechezkel Chapter 35 The False Shepherds and Hashem as the True Shepherd (Sunday, 28th Shevat)

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Daily Tanach – Sefer Yechezkal Chapter 35: Judgment Against Mount Seir

This chapter is a prophecy directed at Mount Seir, representing Edom, who are portrayed as long‑standing enemies of Israel. The prophecy announces divine judgment because Edom exploited Israel’s suffering and desired to take over its land.

  1. Divine opposition to Edom (vv. 2–4)

God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy against Mount Seir, declaring that its cities will become desolate. This is not just political; it emphasizes that hostility toward Israel is also seen as defiance against God’s presence in the land.

  1. “Everlasting hatred” (v. 5)

Edom is condemned for using violence against Israel “on the day of their misfortune”—interpreted by commentators as taking advantage during times of national weakness or destruction.

  1. Poetic justice: “Blood will pursue you” (v. 6)

Because Edom loved spilling blood, the punishment mirrors their actions. This is a common prophetic motif: the punishment reflects the crime.

  1. Total desolation as a sign (vv. 7–9)

The prophecy emphasizes that Edom’s fall will be so complete that travelers will no longer pass through. The purpose of these declarations is that “you will know that I am the Lord.”

  1. Arrogant claims over Israel’s land (v. 10)

Edom said, “The two nations and the two lands will be mine.” The text responds: “And the Lord was there.” In other words, Israel’s land is under divine sovereignty, not available for opportunistic conquest.

  1. God hears Edom’s taunts (vv. 12–13)

Edom mocked Israel’s desolation and spoke against God. The chapter emphasizes God’s attentiveness—“I have heard”—as the basis for judgment.

  1. Reversal of fortunes (vv. 14–15)

“As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel … so will I do to you.”
This concluding theme reinforces divine justice and moral reversal.

How This Fits into Ezekiel’s Larger Message

Ezekiel 35 sets the stage for chapter 36, which shifts from judgment of Israel’s enemies to the restoration of Israel. The contrast heightens the hope of renewal for Israel in the next chapter.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.