Read & explore together
A Prophecy against Ammon
This prophecy speaks directly against the children of Ammon. It explains why the Lord Yahweh judges them and what that judgement will look like, while repeating the purpose that they will know who he is.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
The passage opens with Yahweh’s word coming to Ezekiel and telling him to prophesy against the children of Ammon. The message focuses on Ammon’s response to the profaning of the sanctuary, the desolation of Israel, and Judah’s captivity, then announces judgement from the Lord Yahweh.
Ezekiel 25:1–7Main takeaway
This passage teaches that the Lord Yahweh judges proud contempt over the downfall of his people and makes his identity known through that judgement.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A message directed at AmmonThe passage begins with Yahweh’s word coming to Ezekiel. He is called “Son of man” and told to set his face toward the children of Ammon and prophesy against them.
Explanation
The passage begins with Yahweh’s word coming to Ezekiel. He is called “Son of man” and told to set his face toward the children of Ammon and prophesy against them. This shows the message is deliberate and confrontational. It is a spoken word of judgement from the Lord Yahweh, not a story scene.
02Why Ammon is judgedAmmon is told to hear the word of the Lord Yahweh. The reason for judgement is their response to disaster.
Explanation
Ammon is told to hear the word of the Lord Yahweh. The reason for judgement is their response to disaster. They said “Aha!” when Yahweh’s sanctuary was profaned, when Israel became desolate, and when Judah went into captivity. Their reaction is presented as mockery and delight at another people’s ruin.
03The announced consequencesBecause of this, the Lord says he will deliver Ammon to “the children of the east” for a possession.
Explanation
Because of this, the Lord says he will deliver Ammon to “the children of the east” for a possession. They will camp there, live there, and consume the land’s produce. The language describes loss of control over the land and its resources. Rabbah and the children of Ammon will be reduced to places for animals.
04Contempt exposed and Yahweh knownThe prophecy returns to Ammon’s attitude. They clapped their hands, stamped their feet, and rejoiced with deep contempt against the land of Israel.
Explanation
The prophecy returns to Ammon’s attitude. They clapped their hands, stamped their feet, and rejoiced with deep contempt against the land of Israel. So the Lord says he has stretched out his hand against them, giving them over to plunder, cutting them off, and destroying them. The ending repeats the purpose: “you will know that I am Yahweh.”
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What actions and events does the Lord Yahweh say Ammon reacted to with “Aha!”?
List the three things named in the verse: the profaned sanctuary, the desolate land of Israel, and the captivity of the house of Judah.
02How does the prophecy describe Ammon’s coming loss?
Notice the pictures of outsiders possessing the land, camping there, living there, and using its fruit, milk, and city spaces.
03What repeated result shows the purpose of this judgement?
Look at the closing words in both parts of the prophecy and notice the repeated statement about knowing Yahweh.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 25:1–7
1Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,
2“Son of man, set your face toward the children of Ammon, and prophesy against them.
3Tell the children of Ammon, ‘Hear the word of the Lord Yahweh! The Lord Yahweh says, “Because you said, ‘Aha!’ against my sanctuary when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel when it was made desolate, and against the house of Judah when they went into captivity,
4therefore, behold, I will deliver you to the children of the east for a possession. They will set their encampments in you and make their dwellings in you. They will eat your fruit and they will drink your milk.
5I will make Rabbah a stable for camels and the children of Ammon a resting place for flocks. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.”
6For the Lord Yahweh says: “Because you have clapped your hands, stamped with the feet, and rejoiced with all the contempt of your soul against the land of Israel,
7therefore, behold, I have stretched out my hand on you, and will deliver you for a plunder to the nations. I will cut you off from the peoples, and I will cause you to perish out of the countries. I will destroy you. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.”