[1] Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it, [3] And say unto it, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O mount Seir, I am against thee, and I will stretch out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate. [4] I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. [5] 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: [6] Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: since thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee. [7] Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that passeth out and him that returneth. [8] And I will fill his mountains with his slain men: in thy hills, and in thy valleys, and in all thy rivers, shall they fall that are slain with the sword. [9] I will make thee perpetual desolations, and thy cities shall not return: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
Verses 1-2 Expanded Bible Comments
| Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it, | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| From whom does this message come? | "The LORD." |
| To whom is the message given? | "Son of man." Seventh Messenger, Pastor Russell. |
| Who is the target of this prophecy? | "Mount Seir." |
| Is the LORD for or against this target? | "Prophesy against it." |
Verse 3 Expanded Bible Comments
| And say unto it, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O mount Seir, I am against thee, and I will stretch out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Who (or what) is "Mount Seir?" | Mount Seir is where Esau and his descendants lived. Esau is Edom (Gen. 36:8.) Esau pictures the nominal church who, like Esau, sold their birthright for a mess of pottage. Thus, Mount Seir pictures (so-called) Christendom, the dwelling place of the nominal church. |
| Is Mount Seir in a good place? | "Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O mount Seir, I am against thee." Heb. 10:31. |
| What does the LORD say he will do with His hand, and what is the result? | "I will stretch out mine hand against thee." The result of this is: "I will make thee most desolate." |
Verse 4 Expanded Bible Comments
| I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Remembering that the LORD is still speaking about "Mount Seir", what do we learn about "I will lay thy cities waste?" | That Mount Seir is not made up of just one but several cities (governments.) Yet another evidence that this refers to so-called Christendom. |
| What is going to happen to "Mount Seir" (so-called Christendom?) | "Thou [Mount Seir, Christendom, not just the individual cities (governments) but so-called Christendom itself] shalt be desolate." |
| What is it they are going to learn because of this? | "Thou shalt know that I am the LORD." |
Verse 5 Expanded Bible Comments
| 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: | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Why do the inhabiters of Mount Seir (so-called Christendom) have "a perpetual hatred?" | John 3:19-21. R2378. |
| What did Mount Seir do to "the children of Israel?" | They "shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword." |
| Was this shedding of blood literal or symbolic? | Yes. |
| What is indicated by "in the time that their iniquity had an end?" | The phrase "iniquity had an end" is comprised of only two Hebrew words, Strong's H5771 (iniquity) and Strong's H7093 (end.) The only other place in Scripture where these two words are used one after the other is found in Eze. 21:25-29. There it clearly refers to the iniquity of King Zedekiah and the beginning of the Times of the Gentiles. Here it again is indicating an end of iniquity, namely, the end of Gentile Times when they begin to be destroyed by our Lord. Psa. 2:8-9 |
Verse 6 Expanded Bible Comments
| Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: since thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| When God says "I will prepare thee unto blood," what does that mean? | It has reference to blood that has been shed (spilled.) "The life of the flesh is in the blood." Gen. 9:4; Lev. 17:11,14 |
| What is meant by "blood shall pursue thee?" | It means that Mount Seir (so-called Christendom - the church-state system) will lose its life (blood poured out.) |
| Translate "since thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee" into its real meaning. | Since you have NOT hated draining the life of others by spilling their blood, your life shall be drained out from you by the spilling of your blood. |
| How certain are we that this is the fate of Mount Seir (so-called Christendom?) | "I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will..." |
Verse 7 Expanded Bible Comments
| Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that passeth out and him that returneth. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Why does this say "Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate?" Why not simply "desolate?" | So thoroughly will the LORD destroy so-called Christendom that the LORD doubled up on the Hebrew word Strong's H8077 (desolate.) In Hebrew this is how the word is emphasized, as if to say 'this desolation is doubly emphasized.' |
| This verse says "Thus will I ... cut off from it [Mount Seir, Christendom] him that passeth out." What does it mean "him that passeth out?" | This refers to those who attempt to leave Christendom. It appears that these would not leave except that conditions have gotten so bad that they feel they are forced out. |
| This verse also says "Thus will I ... cut off from it [Mount Seir, Christendom] him that returneth." What does it mean "him that returneth?" | Why would anyone want to return? Possibly because the only reason they left was because they felt their lives were in danger if they had stayed. This may refer to a period after 1918 or even after 1945. They looked at the union of church and state (especially the church) as being their 'security blanket.' |
Verse 8 Expanded Bible Comments
| And I will fill his mountains with his slain men: in thy hills, and in thy valleys, and in all thy rivers, shall they fall that are slain with the sword. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| "I will fill his mountains with his slain men." Of whom is the LORD here speaking? | "His mountains" and "His slain." This is referring to "Mount Seir," to the territory of so-called Christendom. Compare Isa. 34:3. |
| What is indicated by "in thy hills?" | Mountains are symbolic of Kingdoms. Hills are symbolic of lesser governments. The picture here is that of so-called Christendom as a mountain range. It has more than one mountain (in this case we suggest it had 10 mountains, corresponding to the 10 toes of the image in Daniel's vision - Dan. 2:41-43) and also many hills. |
| What is indicated by "in thy valleys?" | Same thought as above except "valleys" refer to lower places. |
| What is indicated by "in all thy rivers?" | Rivers are where most of the people get water (truths, doctrines.) This refers to the teachings of so-called Christendom. These teachings were shown to be in error by the presentation of "present truth" being preached by voice and by printed page during the days of the Seventh Messenger. |
| Who are they that "fall?" | "They that fall" are those who make Mount Seir (so-called Christendom) their home, i.e., they are the nominal Christians who believe the creeds of men. |
| What is meant by they "that are slain with the sword?" | The sword is the Word of the Lord, present Truth. Compare with Isa. 34:5-6. |
Verse 9 Expanded Bible Comments
| I will make thee perpetual desolations, and thy cities shall not return: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What is meant by "perpetual desolations?" | "Perpetual" - continuing forever : everlasting – Webster. "Desolations" - (1) the action of desolating (2) grief, sadness (3) devastation, ruin (4) barren wasteland - Webster. |
| "Thy [Mount Seir, Christendom's] cities shall not return." Why will they not return? | Cities symbolize governments. We know that Christendom had primarily 10 such cities (Dan. 2:41-43.) They cannot return because these were part of that church-state system and the LORD told us of their demise in Jer. 25:27, 29. |
| What is it they are eventually going to learn because of this? | "Ye shalt know that I am the LORD." |
[10] Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it; whereas the LORD was there: [11] Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will even do according to thine anger, and according to thine envy which thou hast used out of thy hatred against them; and I will make myself known among them, when I have judged thee. [12] And thou shalt know that I am the LORD, and that I have heard all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume. [13] Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against me, and have multiplied your words against me: I have heard them. [14] Thus saith the Lord GOD; When the whole earth rejoiceth, I will make thee desolate. [15] As thou didst rejoice at the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so will I do unto thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir, and all Idumea, even all of it: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Verse 10 Expanded Bible Comments
| Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it; whereas the LORD was there: | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| These two nations.. | Nations: Strong's H1471 גֹּי גּוֹי gôy gôy go'ee, go'-ee Apparently from the same root as H1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts: - Gentile, heathen, nation, people. |
| These two countries.. | Countries: Strong's H776 - As in eh'-rets Israel, the land of Israel.אֶרֶץ 'erets eh'-rets From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land): - X common, country, earth, field, ground, land, X nations, way, + wilderness, world. |
| Now that we see the difference between "nations" and "countries," How should we word this verse? | Because thou has said, These two Gentile nations and these two lands shall be mine, and we will possess it; even though Jehovah was there. |
| "Because thou hast said.." Who is "thou?" | Mt. Seir, so-called Christendom. |
| "These two Gentile nations and these two lands.." What two "nations" and "lands?" | There are several things to keep in mind here. The first is that, despite the fact this is referring to "Gentile nations," we need to remember who it is that is saying this. Mt. Seir, Edom, Esau, Christendom. It is from their standpoint that these two nations are considered to be Gentiles. When we consider the relation between Jacob (Israel) and Esau after the flesh, it was very often a rocky one between these two brothers and their descendants. We also should keep in mind that in the case of Israel, this verse reminds us that "Jehovah was there!" From the fleshly standpoint Edom considered the two nations as being Israel (the northern kingdom, made up of the so-called ten lost tribes) and Judah (the southern kingdom.) Looking at it from the standpoint of the spirit, we find that Israel (the northern kingdom) often pictures the Roman Catholic system and Judah (the Royal tribe) often pictures organized Protestantism (namely, those who aligned themselves with the "image of the beast," the Evangelical Alliance set up in 1846.) |
| ".. shall be mine." Who is claiming these "nations" and "lands" for themselves? | Mt. Seir, so-called Christendom. |
| "We will possess it." Who is saying this and what does it mean to "possess" it? | It is still Mt. Seir [so-called Christendom] that is saying this. Posses: Strong's H3423 יָרֵשׁ יָרַשׁ yârash yârêsh yaw-rash', yaw-raysh' A primitive root; to occupy (be driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin: - cast out, consume, destroy, disinherit, dispossess, drive (-ing) out, enjoy, expel, X without fail, (give to, leave for) inherit (-ance, -or), + magistrate, be (make) poor, come to poverty, (give to, make to) possess, get (have) in (take) possession, seize upon, succeed, X utterly. |
| What extremely important fact are they [so-called Christendom] completely ignoring? | The fact that "Jehovah was there!" |
Verse 11 Expanded Bible Comments
| Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will even do according to thine anger, and according to thine envy which thou hast used out of thy hatred against them; and I will make myself known among them, when I have judged thee. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| How certain are we that what is described here must have a fulfillment? | 100% - "As I live, saith the Lord GOD" "The Lord" - Strong's H136 "An emphatic form of H113"אֲדֹנָי 'ădônây ad-o-noy' An emphatic form of H113; the Lord (used as a proper name of God only): - (my) Lord. Strong's H113 "GOD" - אָדֹן אָדוֹן 'âdôn 'âdôn aw-done', aw-done' From an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, that is, controller (human or divine): - lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with “Adoni-”. Strong's H3069 יְהֹוִה yehôvih yeh-ho-vee' A variation of H3068 (used after H136, and pronounced by Jews as H430, in order to prevent the repetition of the same sound, since they elsewhere pronounce H3068 as H136): - God. |
| What is meant by "I will even do according to thine anger?" | The world has a saying that seems to fit here quite well: "What goes around, comes around." |
| What is meant by "I will even do... according to thine envy?" | What would have made Mt. Seir (so-called Christendom) to have this "envy?" They knew in their hearts that they (Christendom) did NOT have the favor of the LORD because they were not following the LORD's instructions, but others did. |
| What is meant by "I will even do according to thine hatred against them?" | Please see Psa. 139:19-22. |
| Who is the target if Mt. Seir's anger, envy and hatred described above? | "The children of Israel." Verse 5. |
| What will the LORD do for "the children of Israel?" | "I will make myself known among them." |
| When will this take place? | "When I have judged thee" [Mt. Seir, Edom, so-called Christendom.] |
Verse 12 Expanded Bible Comments
| And thou shalt know that I am the LORD, and that I have heard all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| To whom is the LORD referring when He says: "thou shalt know that I am the LORD?" | Mt. Seir, Edom, Esau, so-called Christendom. |
| What type of words are they speaking? | "Blasphemies." |
| Against whom are they speaking, and what does that mean? | "Thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel." To speak against "the mountains of Israel," tells us a lot. Mountains are symbolic of Kingdoms. The Kingdoms of Israel indicates that Israel's King has established His Kingdom. What it does not tell us is just how far along, at the time of this fulfillment, that His kingdom has progressed. Remember that the Apostle Paul said of our maker: "God, who... calleth those things which be not as though they were." In other words He counts the beginning of whatever work He has started as being completed. (See Isa. 34:2) |
| What specific "blasphemies" do they speak? | "They [the Kingdoms of Israel] are laid desolate, they are given us to consume." What vanity! To assume that, from the standpoint of the world, these appear to be small and have little, to assume that these are therefor to be plundered by them [by so-called Christendom]! |
Verse 13 Expanded Bible Comments
| Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against me, and have multiplied your words against me: I have heard them. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Are your words important? | Rom. 10:10; Psa. 19:14. |
| What has Mt. Seir [Edom, Esau, so-called Christendom] said concerning Jehovah God? | "With your mouth ye have boasted against me, and have multiplied your words against me." Speaking against Jehovah seems about as intelligent as covering yourself with bloody chum and then diving completely unprotected into a group of great white sharks while they are feeding. |
| Did they (Mt. Seir) simply say this once, like losing control and speaking in a moment of anger? | "Ye... have multiplied your words against me." |
| What is the worst thing that could happen to Mt. Seir concerning their words against God? | "I have heard them." Heb. 10:31. |
Verse 14 Expanded Bible Comments
| Thus saith the Lord GOD; When the whole earth rejoiceth, I will make thee desolate. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| "When the whole earth rejoiceth." When does this take place? | |
| "I will make thee desolate." When does this take place? – Is it before, during or after the world of mankind comes under the New Covenant? | |
| How certain are we that this will take place? | 100% – "Thus saith the Lord GOD." |
Verse 15 Expanded Bible Comments
| As thou didst rejoice at the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so will I do unto thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir, and all Idumea, even all of it: and they shall know that I am the LORD. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| "As thou didst rejoice..." Exactly who is "thou?" | Mt. Seir, so-called Christendom. |
| What is "the inheritance of the house of Israel" (both natural and spiritual)? | Natural Israel was to have the "Promised land" as well as to "bless all the families of the earth." In Gen. 22:16-18 the angel of the LORD tells Abraham of God's promise that his seed would be "as the stars of heaven and as sand upon the sea shore." In Gen. 26:4 he tells Isaac that his seed will be "the stars of heaven." In Gen. 32:12 When Jacob is about to meet his brother Esau and Jacob is fearful, he prays to God for deliverance from him and reminds God of His promise that Jacob's seed will be "as the sand of the sea." The primary inheritance was that they would be the people of God and be the ones to bless all the people of the world. For the Isaac class, the true church, they were to receive a heavenly reward ("stars of heaven") and be the ones to bless all people of the world. These two phases of the Kingdom of God, heavenly and earthly, was "the inheritance of the house of Israel." |
| During Christendom's time (especially during the time of the so-called "Holy Roman Empire," what was the condition of the Israel's "inheritance?" (Remember, it was this condition that caused Mt. Seir to "rejoice." | "It was desolate." |
| How does God respond to Mt. Seir? (Cause and effect.) | "So will I do unto thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir" |
| Who, or what is "Idumea?" | The following is taken from https://biblehub.com/topical/i/idumaea_or_idumea_edom.htmThe following is copied from Bible Hub website September 22, 2026: Topical Encyclopedia
Idumaea, also known as Edom, is a region and people group frequently mentioned in the Bible. The name "Edom" means "red," which is associated with Esau, the progenitor of the Edomites, who was described as red and hairy at birth (Genesis 25:25). The land of Edom is located to the southeast of Israel, extending from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. It is characterized by its rugged terrain and red sandstone cliffs. Biblical History and Significance
The Edomites are descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob (Israel). The relationship between the Israelites and the Edomites is complex and often marked by conflict. Despite their shared ancestry, the two nations frequently found themselves at odds. In Genesis 36, the genealogy of Esau is detailed, establishing the Edomites as a distinct people. During the Exodus, the Israelites sought passage through Edom but were denied by the Edomite king, forcing them to take a longer route (Numbers 20:14-21). This refusal is remembered as a significant act of hostility, contributing to the ongoing enmity between the two nations. Prophetic Literature
The prophets frequently spoke against Edom, condemning their actions and foretelling their downfall. Obadiah's entire book is dedicated to the judgment against Edom, highlighting their pride and violence against their brother Jacob. Obadiah 1:10-12 states, "Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever. On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them." Isaiah also prophesied against Edom, describing its desolation and the Lord's vengeance (Isaiah 34:5-15). Jeremiah and Ezekiel echoed similar themes, emphasizing Edom's impending judgment due to their perpetual enmity and betrayal of Israel (Jeremiah 49:7-22; Ezekiel 25:12-14). |
| How much of Idumea will be made to see this desolation? | "All Idumea, even all of it." |
| What will be the result to Mt. Seir of all this? | "They shall know that I am the LORD." |
| Does this passage tell us exactly when "They shall know that I am the LORD?" | Not directly. Certainly they would know by the time of the establishment of the New Covenant. Yet we would then ask the question, Will Mt. Seir (Edom, so-called Christendom) still exist when the New Covenant is established? Doesn't it have to exist in order to know anything, including "that I am the LORD?" Therefore, it would seem, this recognition of God would have to take place prior to the complete destruction of Christendom. |