Ezekiel_25.asp

Atlanta Bible Students

The Book of Ezekiel

Chapter 25

Go To Verse 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

In this chapter there are references to the Ammonites (Ammon), the Moabites (Moab), Edom and the Philistines. We thought it might be helpful to see the geographical location of the 3 kingdoms, along with Judah and Israel. The images below help to do that.

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Verses 1-7 are against the Ammonites

[1] The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them; [3] And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity; [4] Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession, and they shall set their palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee: they shall eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk. [5] 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. [6] For thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel; [7] Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.

Verses 1-2 Expanded Bible Comments

The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them;
Question	Suggested Answer
Who did "the word of the LORD" come to?	"Son of Man."
What did the LORD tell him to do?	"Set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them."
Who were the Ammonites?	Ammonites means "sons of Ammon [tribal or inbred]." Benammi, father of the Ammonites, was the son of Lot by way of his second daughter. Gen. 19:30-38. These became giants. See Deut. 3:11 (convert cubits to feet and inches to get an idea of size.) Symbolically this is what Christendom appeared to be, i.e., giants.
Was the prophecy to be favorable to the Ammonites (who picture Christendom)?	No. "Prophesy against them."

Verse 3 Expanded Bible Comments

And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;
And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou [the Ammonites] saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary [not the host, but the Sanctuary], when it [the Sanctuary] was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it [the land of Israel] was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they [the house of Judah] went into captivity;
While this and the following verses fit very well the message God gave to the Ammonites in Ezekiel's day, we should remember that the primary focus of the book of Ezekiel appears to be at the time of the Second Advent and we should therefor look for fulfillment during that time.
Question	Suggested Answer
When this verse says "say unto the Ammonites.." how should we 'translate' that into what it means in the prophetic sense?	Our current thought (2/7/2023) is that the Ammonites seem to picture Protestantism. "Say unto the Protestants.."
What are the Ammonites (protestants) told to do, and what does that mean?	"Hear the word of the Lord GOD." It means they should not only hear, but they should also understand. It implies that they are able to repeat the words but are not really listening. For example: most nominal Christians can quote the Lord's prayer, but most do not even notice that it says "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth.." Please see R4787
After Protestantism has been instructed to "Hear the word of the Lord GOD," what happens next?	The Lord GOD speaks: "Thus saith the Lord GOD." In other words, they were told to listen to what God says, and then they are given the opportunity to do just that, i.e., listen to what God says. This may have reference to the meeting between Pastor Russell and the ministers from Pittsburgh and Allegeny in 1878.
What is meant by "Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary?"	God is declaring that which He often says, i.e., this is a cause and effect situation. Because you did something, I will respond to it. In this case "thou said, Aha." Aha (Strong's H1889) appears to be used as a derision, a mocking. Job 39:22,25; Psa. 35:21,25; 40:15; 70:3 This mocking is "against my sanctuary," against God's temple ("which temple ye are") against my people. – Remember the two classes in the nominal church are (1) the sanctuary (spirit-begotten) and (2) the host (all others.)
When was it "profaned?" and what does that mean?	Anything that was "profaned" was considered unclean and not fit for use in the service of the temple. With that in mind, we suggest that the sanctuary was "profaned" when it took in the false doctrines and lost its grip on the pure truth.
In this context, what is pictured by "the land of Israel?"	The "land" generally refers to the physical territory. We suggest this refers to the old territory of so-called Christendom, i.e., primarily Europe and America.
When was "the land of Israel" desolate?	We think it became "desolate" after the spirit-begotten left the nominal church systems, i.e., around 1918.
What is pictured by "the house of Judah?"	The "house" (dwelling place) of Judah (the royal tribe) would picture where the spirit-begotten choose to dwell. It was the spirit-begotten who obeyed the command to "come out of her my people." – It is also interesting to note that the Lord did not make reference to "the land" of Judah, as He did with "the land of Israel." Prior to the call to "come out of her my people," the saints did not know where to go. Some joined with the "Miller movement," but most continued to remain in the Protestant systems. "Let both grow together until the harvest." Matt. 13:30.
When did they [Judah] go into captivity?	We suggest this may have reference to the Evangelical Alliance in 1846 at which time they fulfilled the prophecy of Rev. 13:14 "that they should make an image to the beast." This is where they formalized their creed in their nine points.

Verse 4 Expanded Bible Comments

Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession, and they shall set their palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee: they shall eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk.
Question	Suggested Answer
"I will deliver thee.." Who is "thee" referring to?	The "Ammonites."
Who are pictured by the "Ammonites?"	Br. Fisher's explanation: "When God's true Church shall be persecuted in the world-war and revolution, and true Christian faith shall be desolated, and the multitude of those that praise God (Judah, praise) shall go into captivity to the infidel revolutionists, the persecuting, world-loving church members (Ammonites) will be glad of it." FM486
Who are "the men of the east?"	As of Feb. 28, I don't know. Note – This is not the same as the "Kings of the east" in Rev. 16:12. There it specifically refers to "Kings" [Strong's G935 – which is ALWAYS translated as king (kings, king's).] In this verse the phrase is made up of only 2 Hebrew words: Strong's H1121 and H6924 Strong's H1121 בֵּן bên bane From H1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like H1, H251, etc.): - + afflicted, age, [Ahoh-] [Ammon-] [Hachmon-] [Lev-]ite, [anoint-]ed one, appointed to, (+) arrow, [Assyr-] [Babylon-] [Egypt-] [Grec-]ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, + kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+) people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, + spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous one, + valiant[-est], whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. T Strong's H6924 קֵדְמָה קֶדֶם qedem qêdmâh keh'-dem, kayd'-maw From H6923; the front, of palce (absolutely the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward): - aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end, part, side, -ward), eternal, X ever (-lasting), forward, old, past. Compare H6926. Thus this phrase simply means a son or child of the east. – See Gen. 29:1; Judges 6:3,33; 7:12; 8:10; Job 1:3; Jer. 49:28 See brief commentaries on "Men of the east ". Some of these commentaries give scripture references which may be of help. "The men of the east" appears to refer to those who hold on to the "eastern philosophies" such as Hindu, Buddhist, Confucianism, Taoism, etc. These were well represented by the attendees of the 1893 World's Parliament of Religions.
How do the Ammonites become "a possession" for "the men of the east?"	God simply tells us "I will deliver thee [Ammonites] to the men of the east for a possession."
Please discuss what is meant by "they shall set their palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee."	"They [the men of the east] shall set their palaces [residence and business place for royalty] in thee [Ammonites] and make their dwellings [residences of the common people] in thee [Ammonites.]" – These would seem to correspond to "them that dwell on the earth" in the book of Revelation. See Earth_Dwellers .
What is meant by "they shall eat thy fruit?"	"They [men of the east] shall eat thy [Ammonites] fruit." Matt. 7:15-20
What is meant by "they shall drink thy milk?"	"They [men of the east] shall drink thy [Ammonites] milk?" Nothing is said about "eating thy meat." By this time all Protestantism had was, at best, the milk of the word. Heb. 5:13; 1 Pet. 2:2; Isa. 28:7-13.
Did the 1893 "World's Parliament of Religions" (D180-D267) play a part in the fulfillment of this prophecy?	We believe yes. By itself it is not the fulfillment of "the men of the east," but they did form a good representation of them. At the parliament those (so-called) "christian" leaders seemed to fall all over themselves in seeking answers from these "wise men of the east." The followers of Christ actually have the understanding of the scriptures because we have reached that time when the Lord has caused the light of present truth to shine forth. These (so-called) "christian" leaders were largely clueless.
In the Tabernacle type the Priests receive nourishment from the eating of the shewbread (picturing the Word of God, the Bible.) The antitype of this is the New Creation receives spiritual nourishment from receiving Bible instruction. Do the "men of the east" receive any such nourishment from the fruit and the milk of the Ammonites?	Of course "the men of the East" had no new creature to nourish, but even as men considering what to believe about God and what is the proper treatment of their fellow man, there would be little to gain from the (symbolic) Ammonites, enemies of the Lord's people, especially if they looked into the way so-called christians treated those who had differing teachings.
Who are pictured by the Ammonites and by the Moabites?	1917 Br. Fisher's overview remarks. The Ammonites (25:1-7) and the Moabites (25:8-11), both children of Lot � who was himself a type of the Great Company class � are a type of a class brought into being by their father, the Great Company class (Lot), while he was in a state of drunken stupor from mixed doctrines, through Lot's daughters, type of the worldly churches of the Great Company. The message begins with words against the Ammonites, types of those believing worldlings who were brought into the churches by the more or less faithless Great Company, and who in an aggressive and predatory fashion as Jesuits, persecuting Romish priests, and Protestant clergy and their kind persecuted the true Christians. The Ammonites are described as "fierce marauders, crafty, cruel, predatory." The Ammonites worshipped Baal, under the name Chemosh, the god of fire and of fornication, type of the eternal-torment-purgatory god, the encourager of the spiritual adultery of churchstate union. FM486

Verse 5 Expanded Bible Comments

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.
Question	Suggested Answer
What is "Rabbah?"	Strong's H7237 רַבָּה rabbâh rab-baw' Feminine of H7227; great; Rabbah, the name of two places in Palestine, East and West: - Rabbah, Rabbath. The first mention of Rabbah is in Deu. 3:11 where it describes the bed of king Og as being 13½ feet long and 6 feet wide. Clearly this man was a giant and thus a fitting symbol of the Giant of (so-called) christendom.
What is pictured by "camels?"	We suggest R161.
What, then, would be pictured by "a stable for camels?"	A stable is a secure place for the lodging and feeding of horses, cattle, etc. This seems to be saying that this strong city of the Ammonites will, eventually, become a secure place for the Word of God.
What is "a couchingplace?"	Strong's H4769 מַרְבֵּץ marbêts mar-bates' From H7257; a reclining place, that is, fold (for flocks): - couching place, place to lie down. In other words "a resting-place for flocks." (BBE) – We suggest this is what is pictured in the parable of the sheep and the goats. Matt. 25:31-34; John 10:16 See also Isa. 35:7.
"Ye shall know that I am the LORD." – When?	At the end of the 1,000 years of the reign of the Christ. "little season." Rev. 20:3,7

Verse 6 Expanded Bible Comments

For thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel;
Reminder: In verses 6 and 7, "thou, thy, thee" are all referring to "the Ammonites."
Question	Suggested Answer
Is there cause for concern?	For the Lord's people, NO! - Rom. 8:28. For the Ammonites, Yes! – Heb. 10:31. Yet the individuals that make up this class will, under the Kingdom arrangements, have full opportunity to repent and walk up the highway of holiness.
What attitude is shown by "thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel?"	Based on the language used here, one can easily see what we might term "mob behaviour." At some level the people pictured by the Ammonites must have known that they were in opposition to the Lord's chosen people (Israel, especially Spiritual Israel) because of the evil way they persecuted them.

Verse 7 Expanded Bible Comments

Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
Question	Suggested Answer
"Therefore.." – Why does verse begin thusly?	The LORD has considered the attitude of the Ammonites (showing the just cause) and is about to declare the just effect.
What is indicated by "I will stretch out mine hand upon thee?"	God is about to take action.
What is meant by "I.. will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen?"	Who are "the heathen?" 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. This is interesting because literally the Ammonites were Gentiles, but this expression indicates that these "Ammonites" are to be spoiled (plundered) by the Gentiles. To us this re-affirms the thought that the Ammonites are (at least part of) so-called Christendom.
What is meant by "I will cut thee off from the people?"	"Thee" refers to the Ammonites (a part of so-called Christendom.)
What is meant by "I will cause thee to perish out of the countries?"	During the Dark Ages so-called Christendom ruled the countries. Since the end of WWI, all the chcurch-state nations have turned into republics or constitutional monarchies (no kings with any real power.) Christendom (so-called) ceased to exist.
What is meant by "I will destroy thee?"	The promise of Scripture is that all parts of the Gentile image (Dan. 2:31-45), including the union of church and state shown by the mixture of iron (civil power) with mirey clay (worldly minded church), were to be completely done away with by the Kingdom of God. "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it [the Kingdom of God] shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms [represented by the ten toes of the image, so-called Christendom], and it [the Kingdom of God] shall stand for ever."
What does all of this result in?	"Thou shalt know that I am the LORD."

Verses 8-11 are against Moab (the Moabites)

[8] Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Moab and Seir do say, Behold, the house of Judah is like unto all the heathen; [9] Therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Bethjeshimoth, Baalmeon, and Kiriathaim, [10] Unto the men of the east with the Ammonites, and will give them in possession, that the Ammonites may not be remembered among the nations. [11] And I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Verse 8 Expanded Bible Comments

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Moab and Seir do say, Behold, the house of Judah is like unto all the heathen;
Question	Suggested Answer
What was the oigin of Moab?	The same as the origin of Ammon, the illegitimate son of Lot by way of one of Lot's daughters. [Gen. 19:30-38] As such Moab pictures (at least a part of) Christendom, born of an illicit union.
Were all Moabites against "the house of Judah?"	If that were so, how would we explain "Ruth the Moabitess?" Ruth 1:22; 2:2,21; 4:5,10. Remember that Ruth was the great grandmother of king David. Ruth 4:21-22. This fits the second advent time period at its beginning. Prior to the call to "come out of her my people" both wheat and tares were allowed to "grow together" so that, even dwelling amongst the tares, one could here and there find a faithful Ruth.
From where does this message come from?	"Thus saith the Lord GOD." "GOD" in this verse is 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. In other words, JEHOVAH.
Where (geographically) is Moab?	Moab is the country to the immediate south of Ammon on the eastern side of the Dead Sea.
Where (geographically) is Seir?	Seir is in the land of Edom, immediately to the south of Moab. Mt. Seir is below the Dead Sea.
In this prophecy, what is the attitude of Moab and Seir towards Judah?	"The house of Judah is like unto all the heathen." In other words, they [the Lord's people, Judah] worship a god the same way we Moabites worship gods. They are nothing special, just like all the other countries and all other religions.

Verse 9 Expanded Bible Comments

Therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Bethjeshimoth, Baalmeon, and Kiriathaim,
Question	Suggested Answer
What does it mean to "open the side of Moab from the cities?"	The verse goes on to explain that these are "his cities which are on his frontiers"
According to verse 9, what is the importance of these cities to Moab?	They were "the glory of the country."
What is the meaning of "Bethjeshimoth?"	Strong's H1020 בֵּית הַיְשִׁימוֹת bêyth hayeshı̂ymôth bayth hah-yesh-ee-moth' From H1004 and the plural of H8451 with the article interposed; house of the deserts; Beth-ha-Jeshimoth, a town East of the Jordan: - Beth-jeshimoth. What an appropriate name for part of (so-called) Christendom – "house of deserts" – where there is little or no water (truth.)
What is the meaning of "Baalmeon?"	Strong's H1186 בַּעַל מְעוֹן ba‛al me‛ôn bah'-al meh-one' From H1168 and H4583; Baal of (the) habitation (of) (compare H1010); Baal Meon, a place East of the Jordan: - Baal-meon. H1168 "Baal" and H4583 "abode" or "house," thus: "Baal's house or temple." Christendom had indeed become the habitation of Baal. Contrast that with the true church – 1 Cor. 3:16.
What is the meaning of "Kiriathaim?"	Strong's H7156 קִרְיָתַיִם qiryâthayim keer-yaw-thah'-yim Dual of H7151; double city; Kirjathaim, the name of two places in Palestine: - Kiriathaim, Kirjathaim. This seems to have at least four possibilities: 1. This city is comprised of both Catholics and Protestantists. 2. It is the union of both civil and religious powers. 3. Two-faced. 4. Double-minded. James 1:8 Remember, these three cities are described as "the glory of the country" – of Christendom.

Verse 10 Expanded Bible Comments

Unto the men of the east with the Ammonites, and will give them in possession, that the Ammonites may not be remembered among the nations.
Question	Suggested Answer
Are "the men of the east" the same as "the Ammonites?"	No! They are here described as being "with the Ammonites," but not of them. These seem to fit with the followers of the "eastern philosophies," well represented by those at the 1893 World's Parliament of Religions.
Who "will give them in possession?"	"The Lord GOD." – verse 8.
Whom does He "give them in possession" to?	It appears that this context does not specifically say, however it seems to imply they are given to "the house of Judah," the royal tribe. (verse 8)
According to verse 10, what is the purpose for God to "give them in possession?"	"That the Ammonites may not be remembered among the nations." – In time Christendom will no longer be remembered. Occasionally on the news we will hear someone tell a politian who has overstepped their authority that there is no "divine right of kings" in this country.

Verse 11 Expanded Bible Comments

And I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Question	Suggested Answer
What does the LORD do to Moab?	He executes His judgments upon them.
What will ultimately be the result of this?	"They [Moabites, Christendom] shall know that I am the LORD."

Verses 12-14 are against Edom (the Edomites)

[12] Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them; [13] Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword. [14] And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD.

Verse 12 Expanded Bible Comments

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them;
Question	Suggested Answer
Who is Edom? Please give Scriptural evidence of your answer.	Esau is Edom. Gen. 25:30; 36:1,8; 36:19; 36:43
Who (or what) does he picture and why?	Esau did not have respect toward his birthright. He was hungry and wanted immediate relief of that hunger, thus demonstrating his desire for a quick fix to his problem. In this he pictures so-called Christendom. The worldly minded church (mixture of wheat and tares) was supposed to wait (as a chaste virgin) for her heavenly bridegroom to return before being joined together with him in His reign. But the worldly minded church, like Esau, decided that being persecuted by the world and self-denial were the conditions they wanted immediate relief from. So, like Esau, they traded their birthright (to be married to the true King over the earth, Jesus) and married instead the kings of this present evil world. In this they (like Esau) despised their true birthright, exchanging it for something whose relative value (as compared to reigning with Christ) was indeed "bread and pottage of lentiles." Gen. 25:27-34.
Who was Edom against?	"Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah."
Who (or what) is pictured by those that Edom is against?	When both Israel and Judah are used in prophecy, Judah often refers to the saints (Judah being the Royal tribe), and Israel referring to "Christian" believers in general.
How does Edom deal against them?	"By taking vengeance" upon the house of Judah. - Why would Edom (Christendom) "take vengeance" on "the house of Judah" (the Lord's people?) Because the true followers of the Lord stand out (by way of contrast) from the preachers of false doctrine. Their faithful example is a witness to others, exposing the false, and the false cannot stand for this. This has been true all throughout the Gospel Age.
How has Edom (Christendom) "greatly offended?"	By their treatment of the Lord's people. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matt. 25:40
How has Edom (Christendom) "revenged himself upon them" (Judah, the Lord's people)?	Consider items such as the slaughter of the Huguenots in 1572. - B338:1-2

Verse 13 Expanded Bible Comments

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.
Question	Suggested Answer
How does "the Lord GOD" react to the above actions by Edom?	"I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom." – This clearly indicates action.
What did God mean when He said "I .. will cut off man and beast from it" [from Edom, Christendom]?	In Dan. 2:43 we read: "thou sawest iron [civil power of the Roman Empire] mixed with miry clay [man-made churches], they [iron, civil power] shall mingle themselves with the seed of men [man-made churchianity].." Edom was Christendom. Under different symbols the civil powers are described as "beasts." What gets "cut off" from Christendom are "man" [man-made churchianity] and "beast" [the beastly governments of Christendom].

What (and where) is Teman and of what significance is this?	Strong's H8487 תֵּמָן תֵּימָן têymân têmân tay-mawn', tay-mawn' The same as H8486; Teman, the name of two Edomites, and of the region and descendants of one of them: - south, Teman. Strong's H8486 תֵּמָן תֵּימָן têymân têmân tay-mawn', tay-mawn' Denominative from H3225; the south (as being on the right hand of a person facing the east): - south (side, -ward, wind). We remember that the north is associated with things divine. Psa. 48:2; Isa. 14:13 The south is the opposite direction.
What (and where) is Dedan?	Strong's H1719 דְּדָנֶה דְּדָן dedân dedâneh ded-awn', deh-daw'-neh Of uncertain derivation; Dedan, the name of two Cushites and of their territory. The second form used in Eze_25:13 : - Dedan. Dedan was the grandson of Cush (Gen. 10:7; 25:3; 1 Chron. 1:9,32). In Jer. 49:7-22 both Teman and Dedan (vss 7-9) are clearly associated with Edom (Esau) and its destruction due to take place at a time when "grapegatherers come to thee," i.e., the Harvest. Rev. 14:18-20

Verse 14 Expanded Bible Comments

And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD.
And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom [Christendom] by the hand of my people Israel: and they [my people Israel] shall do in Edom [Christendom] according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they [Edom] shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD.
Question	Suggested Answer
What other Bible term do we associate with God's vangeance?	The battle of Armageddon. Rev. 16:16
How can this be done by "the hand of my people Israel?"	By those who have finished their earthly course and are (in 1914, at the end of the Gentile Times) reigning with Christ. Those still on this sice the veil have the part of declaring "the day of vengeance" as well.
How are God's judgments demonstrated?	By the pouring out of the seven last plagues. Rev. 15:1.
If Edom is Christendom and Christendom (union of church and state) is destroyed, how can Edom (Christendom) know this is God's vengeance?	Because they come to realize God's judgments are upon them during the time of the judgments. The judgments are shown in the pouring out of the seven last plagues. Much like the 7 last (of the 10) plagues in Egypt, the Egyptians were glad to see the Israelites leave. See Isa. 34:8

Verses 15-17 are against the Philistines

[15] Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred; [16] Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast. [17] And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.

Verses 15-16 Expanded Bible Comments

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred; [16] Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast.
Question	Suggested Answer
In verse 15, who is speaking?	"Thus saith the Lord GOD."
Where was Philistia in relation to Judah?	Philistia was to the west of Judah and is largely the modern territory described as "the Gaza strip." It is on the coast of the Mediterranean sea. See map2.
Does this location suggest anything symbolically?	Speculation: On the sea coast is where the sea (irreligious masses) and the earth (organized religious society) meet. This may be describing those enemies of the Lord's people who were NOT actually part of Christendom but who also persecuted the Lord's people throughout the Gospel Age.
When did the Philistines become envious of the Lord's people (which would cause them to feel the need for revenge?)	This first took place in the days of Isaac. Gen. 26:12-14
What is "the old hatred?"
In the simplest terms, what happens?	God takes action. Four times in verses 16-17 He says "I will" or "I shall." Not one of them indicates a favorable outcome for the Philistines.
Who are the Cherethims?	Strong's H3774 כְּרֵתִי kerêthı̂y ker-ay-thee' Probably from H3772 in the sense of executioner; a Kerethite or life guardsman (compare H3876), (only collectively in the singular as plural): - Cherethims, Cherethites. The Cherethites were among the "mighty men" who served King David. The Lord uses those who desire to serve Him as the executioner of His opponents. Not all who serve Him do so from pure motives. This may be indicated in Zeph. 2:5 where the Lord declares that He will destroy them and leave them without inhabitant.

Verse 17 Expanded Bible Comments

And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.
Question	Suggested Answer
Of the Edomites it was said "they shall know my vengeance." Is this any different?	Here it is "great vengeance."
Does the LORD gently chastize them?	No. He uses "furious rebukes."
What is "my vengeance?"	The Seven last Plagues. Rev. 15:1
Will they ever figure out from where their destruction comes? If so, when?	They will figure out that it is the LORD who has done this, but not until they experience the fullness of His vengeance, the fullness of the 7 last plagues.

Chapter observations:
Ammonites: "I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD."
Moabites: "I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I am the LORD."
Edomites: "I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD."
Philistines: "I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them."

Chapter 24 Chapter 26