’Son of man, set your face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it,
verse value 1672
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 29 letters. The shortest word is "put" (שִׂ֥ים, 3 letters) and the longest is "son·of·man" (בֶּן־אָדָ֕ם, 5 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Ezekiel. Unique to this verse in Ezekiel (hapax): "against·mount" (עַל־הַ֣ר). The root על appears 2 times in this verse. 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "against·mount" (root על, 272x in Ezekiel); "your·face" (root פנים, 150x in Ezekiel); "son·of·man" (root בין, 145x in Ezekiel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Seir', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 2 words. Full calculation: בֶּן־אָדָ֕ם [son·of·man] (97) + שִׂ֥ים [put] (350) + פָּנֶ֖יךָ [your·face] (160) + עַל־הַ֣ר [against·mount] (305) + שֵׂעִ֑יר [Seir] (580) + וְהִנָּבֵ֖א [and·prophesy] (64) + עָלָֽיו [against·it] (116) = 1672.
Radak
“Son of man, set your face toward Mount Seir.” The prophecy of the downfall of Mount Seir is juxtaposed with the prophecy of the salvation of Israel, for at the time of salvation will come the downfall of Edom, as it is written in the prophecy of Obadiah: “And saviors shall ascend Mount Zion to judge the mountain of Esau.”
Metzudat David
“On Mount Seir.” This is the land of Edom, which resides in the south of the Land of Israel. However, that prophecy was stated because their ancestry originates from Mount Seir, and from there they dispersed; therefore, it says “Mount Seir.”
Malbim
“Set your face,” because the ingathering of the exiles of Israel and the destruction of Edom, which exiled them from their land, will be close together; in His vision of Zion’s return, He also saw the destruction of Edom. Now, Edom acted wickedly toward Israel during the destruction of the First Temple, for they rejoiced over their downfall. Their punishment came first through Nebuchadnezzar, and later through Herod, who devastated their land. However, this was not the ultimate destruction of the world. Therefore it says, “Behold, I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will make you desolate and empty”—this refers to the destruction by Nebuchadnezzar. Afterwards, “I will make your cities desolate, and you shall be a desolation”—this refers to the punishment by the House of Hasmonean. “And you shall know that I am the Lord,” for then they entered into the covenant of circumcision and immersion, accepted His divinity, and converted.
and say to it: Thus says the Lord Hashem: Behold, I am against you, O mount Seir, and I will stretch out My hand against you, and I will make you most desolate.
verse value 4302
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 62 letters. Notable word values: "to·it" (לּ֗וֹ) = 36, double chai. Verse gematria: 4302 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "to·it" (לּ֗וֹ, 2 letters) and the longest is "mount·Seir" (הַר־שֵׂעִ֑יר, 6 letters). The root אמר appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 427x in Ezekiel); "and·you·shall·say" (root אמר, 362x in Ezekiel); "against·you" (root על, 272x in Ezekiel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'mount·Seir', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 6 words.
Radak
"And you shall say." It is explained:
Metzudat David
“Behold, I am against you.” “Behold, I will fight against you.”
And I will stretch out My hand to strike you:
Metzudat Zion
And desolate. The word is from the root of "desolation," and the doubling of the word is to emphasize the extent of the desolation.
I will lay your cities waste, and you shall be desolate; and you shall know that I am Hashem.
verse value 2690
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 38 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָֽה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "your·cities" (עָרֶ֙יךָ֙, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·you·shall·know" (וְיָדַעְתָּ֖, 5 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Ezekiel. Unique to this verse in Ezekiel (hapax): "your·cities" (עָרֶ֙יךָ֙), "I·will·put" (אָשִׂ֔ים). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 427x in Ezekiel); "shall·be" (root היה, 335x in Ezekiel); "that·I" (root אני, 166x in Ezekiel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'shall·be', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 3 words. Full calculation: עָרֶ֙יךָ֙ [your·cities] (300) + חׇרְבָּ֣ה [waste] (215) + אָשִׂ֔ים [I·will·put] (351) + וְאַתָּ֖ה [and·you] (412) + שְׁמָמָ֣ה [devastation] (385) + תִֽהְיֶ֑ה [shall·be] (420) + וְיָדַעְתָּ֖ [and·you·shall·know] (490) + כִּֽי־אֲנִ֥י [that·I] (91) + יְהֹוָֽה [Hashem] (26) = 2690.
Radak
"Your cities I will lay waste, and you shall become a desolation." [This means] that the people of Seir shall perish, wherever they may be.
Metzudat David
"And you." This means: the entire land in its totality.
"For I am the Lord." The Faithful One who repays reward.
Because you have had a hatred of old, and have hurled the children of Israel to the power of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time of the iniquity of the end;
verse value 4422
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 54 letters. The shortest word is "to·you" (לְךָ֙, 2 letters) and the longest is "the·sons·of·Israel" (אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל, 10 letters). Words sharing gematria 472: in·time·of, in·time·of. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Ezekiel. Unique to this verse in Ezekiel (hapax): "and·you·hurled" (וַתַּגֵּ֥ר), "the·sons·of·Israel" (אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל), "to·the·power·of·the·sword" (עַל־יְדֵי־חָ֑רֶב). The root עת appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·be" (root היה, 335x in Ezekiel); "to·the·power·of·the·sword" (root חרב, 102x in Ezekiel); "perversity" (root עון, 44x in Ezekiel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·the·power·of·the·sword', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 5 words. Full calculation: יַ֗עַן [because] (130) + הֱי֤וֹת [to·be] (421) + לְךָ֙ [to·you] (50) + אֵיבַ֣ת [enmity] (413) + עוֹלָ֔ם [ever] (146) + וַתַּגֵּ֥ר [and·you·hurled] (609) + אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל [the·sons·of·Israel] (1004) + עַל־יְדֵי־חָ֑רֶב [to·the·power·of·the·sword] (334) + בְּעֵ֣ת [in·time·of] (472) + אֵידָ֔ם [their·calamity] (55) + בְּעֵ֖ת [in·time·of] (472) + עֲוֺ֥ן [perversity] (126) + קֵֽץ [end] (190) = 4422.
Rashi
And it shall be poured out. And they shall be humbled, as it is said (Micah 1:6), “And I will cast down her stones into the valley,” meaning that those who were fleeing through their land would hand them over to their enemies. This is what is stated (Obadiah 1:14), “Do not stand at the crossroads.”
"At the time of their destruction." At the time, when you deliver them into the hand of the enemy.
"At the time of iniquity, the end." When the end of their iniquity was completed and their measure was filled.
Radak
“Because you have had eternal enmity.” And it did not specify with whom; this implies with the Children of Israel, as it says, “and you delivered up the children of Israel to the sword.” The meaning of “drive out” (ותגר) is akin to “they shall exile him” (יגירוהו) by means of the sword, referring to the matter of striking, for the concept of “driving out” blood pertains to the wounds inflicted by the sword.
"At the time of iniquity, the end." At the time that the end of their exile comes, due to their iniquity. And the Targum: "In the era when their debt is completed."
Metzudat David
“Because.” On account of the fact that you harbored hatred against Israel, which had been stored up since ancient times, and you shed the blood of Israel by the sword at the time of their destruction during the destruction of the Temple, when the iniquity that fills the measure and completes the decree came upon them.
Metzudat Zion
Ivatah. A matter of hatred, as it is said: “And I will put enmity” (Genesis 3:15).
And she poured out. The meaning is of sprinkling and pouring, as it is said: "And as waters that are poured out upon the earth" (2 Samuel 14).
Ayd. A matter of distress and misfortune, as it is said: "Is not destruction (ayd) for the wicked?" (Job 31:3).
Malbim
“Because,” but afterward, at the time when the Romans entered Jerusalem and they came then to aid Israel, they harbored in their hearts the enmity that had been suppressed in their hearts from of old, and they handed the children of Israel over to the sword, as it is stated, “And you also were like one of them,” and “Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off his survivors.” And this was at the time of their calamity, meaning at the time of the Destruction, for then was the sin of the end-time, meaning it was the end of their iniquity and the finality of the punishments, for after their iniquity had already been completed, and their calamity had also been sealed, they should have been shown mercy, and whatever you did was out of enmity, not for any benefit.
therefore, as I live, says the Lord Hashem, I will prepare you to blood, and blood shall pursue you; surely you have hated your own blood, therefore blood shall pursue you.
verse value 2451
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 54 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יֱהֹוִ֔ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "blood" (דָ֛ם, 2 letters) and the longest is "as·I·live" (חַי־אָ֗נִי, 5 letters). Words sharing gematria 314: will·pursue·you, will·pursue·you. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Ezekiel. Unique to this verse in Ezekiel (hapax): "that·to·blood" (כִּֽי־לְדָ֥ם), "I·will·do·you" (אֶעֶשְׂךָ֖). The root דם appears 3 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 427x in Ezekiel); "my·lord" (root אדון, 222x in Ezekiel); "I·will·do·you" (root עשה, 214x in Ezekiel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'will·pursue·you', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 5 words. Full calculation: לָכֵ֣ן [therefore] (100) + חַי־אָ֗נִי [as·I·live] (79) + נְאֻם֙ [utterance] (91) + אֲדֹנָ֣י [my·lord] (65) + יֱהֹוִ֔ה [Hashem] (26) + כִּֽי־לְדָ֥ם [that·to·blood] (104) + אֶעֶשְׂךָ֖ [I·will·do·you] (391) + וְדָ֣ם [and·blood] (50) + יִרְדְּפֶ֑ךָ [will·pursue·you] (314) + אִם־לֹ֥א [if·not] (72) + דָ֛ם [blood] (44) + שָׂנֵ֖אתָ [You·hate] (751) + וְדָ֥ם [and·blood] (50) + יִרְדְּפֶֽךָ [will·pursue·you] (314) = 2451.
Rashi
"I will make you into blood. It falls by the sword:"
“Blood you have hated.” You have despised the birthright, for My service was entrusted to them, and you have hated to defile yourself with the blood of the sacrificial service of My worship. The defilement of the blood of the slain shall pursue you. And some say: “You fear murderers like any other person, and murderers shall pursue you.” And some say: “Blood you have hated, that of your brother, who is your flesh and your blood.”
Radak
Therefore, as I live, I will make you prey to the sword. That is to say: I will prepare you and summon you to the sword.
"And blood shall pursue you." That is to say, shedders of blood shall pursue you.
"Yirdefekha" (He shall pursue you). Both [instances of the word] have the letter dalet with a chataf qamats [vowel] in ben Asher’s tradition, and with a shva and patach in ben Naphtali’s tradition.
"If you have not hated blood, blood will pursue you." This means: You have hated those who shed blood and guarded yourself from them, and now they will pursue you and overtake you. And Targum Jonathan renders it: "If you have not hated blood, woe to blood that pursues you."
Metzudat David
"To blood I will make you." I will make your land full of the blood of the slain.
And blood. "Men who shed blood shall pursue you":
"Surely you have hated blood." And is it not so that you have hated shedders of blood and are exceedingly careful to avoid them? Yet now, shedders of blood will pursue you and overtake you.
Malbim
“‘Therefore, as I live’—the decree of judgment is sealed with an oath: ‘For I will make you into blood,’ meaning: just as you shed blood, so shall you be filled with the blood of the slain; and ‘blood shall pursue you’—not your captives and spoils shall pursue you, but blood. This means that the aim of your pursuers will be solely to shed your blood, as your name is Edom (Red). If not, it would be a hatred born of bloodlust, a hatred of blood, not a hatred arising from self-interest or fear of harm. And thus, ‘blood shall pursue you’ is measure for measure.”
Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that passes through and him that returns.
verse value 4215
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 39 letters. The shortest word is "crossing" (עֹבֵ֥ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·I·will·cut·off" (וְהִכְרַתִּ֥י, 6 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Ezekiel. Unique to this verse in Ezekiel (hapax): "the·mount" (אֶת־הַ֣ר). The root שמם appears 2 times in this verse. 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·I·will·give" (root נתן, 207x in Ezekiel); "and·one·who·returns" (root שוב, 61x in Ezekiel); "from·it" (root מן, 47x in Ezekiel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·a·desolation', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 4 words. Full calculation: וְנָֽתַתִּי֙ [and·I·will·give] (866) + אֶת־הַ֣ר [the·mount] (606) + שֵׂעִ֔יר [Seir] (580) + לְשִֽׁמְמָ֖ה [to·a·desolation] (415) + וּשְׁמָמָ֑ה [and·a·desolation] (391) + וְהִכְרַתִּ֥י [and·I·will·cut·off] (641) + מִמֶּ֖נּוּ [from·it] (136) + עֹבֵ֥ר [crossing] (272) + וָשָֽׁב [and·one·who·returns] (308) = 4215.
Radak
"And I will make it a desolation." There, [the word שממה] follows the pattern of שִׂמְלָה, שִׁפְחָה, and the first letter of the root is lengthened by the accent, meaning:
Metzudat David
"Mount Seir." This means that their genealogies originate from Mount Seir, and from there they branched off.
“To a desolation and a desolation.” The doubling of the word indicates the majority of the desolation.
Malbim
"And I will place this" – this will be in the end of days, and the desolation will be until there will be no passerby or traveler there.
And I will fill his mountains with his slain; in your hills and in your valleys and in all your streams shall they fall that are slain with the sword.
verse value 2898
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 55 letters. Verse gematria: 2898 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "in·them" (בָהֶֽם, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·all·your·streams" (וְכׇל־אֲפִיקֶ֔יךָ, 9 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Ezekiel. Unique to this verse in Ezekiel (hapax): "his·mountains" (אֶת־הָרָ֖יו), "his·slain" (חֲלָלָ֑יו), "your·hills" (גִּבְעוֹתֶ֤יךָ). The root חלל appears 2 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "in·them" (root הם, 166x in Ezekiel); "his·slain" (root חלל, 67x in Ezekiel); "they·will·fall" (root נפל, 58x in Ezekiel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'his·slain', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 6 words. Full calculation: וּמִלֵּאתִ֥י [and·I·will·fill] (487) + אֶת־הָרָ֖יו [his·mountains] (622) + חֲלָלָ֑יו [his·slain] (84) + גִּבְעוֹתֶ֤יךָ [your·hills] (511) + וְגֵיאוֹתֶ֙יךָ֙ [and·your·valleys] (456) + וְכׇל־אֲפִיקֶ֔יךָ [and·all·your·streams] (277) + חַלְלֵי־חֶ֖רֶב [slain·of·the·sword] (288) + יִפְּל֥וּ [they·will·fall] (126) + בָהֶֽם [in·them] (47) = 2898.
Radak
"And I will fill its mountains with its slain." And it says, "Your hills and your high places and all your springs." For such is the way of Scripture to speak both directly and indirectly in one place, as in "Hear, all you nations" and "Yet, all of you, return," and there are many similar instances.
“Chalalei.” [Vocalized with a] chatuf [kamatz]:
Metzudat David
“its mountains.” For when they flee to the mountains, the enemy will pursue them there and kill them.
Metzudat Zion
"Your hills": The word is derived from "hill" and "mountain."
And your valleys. The language of “valley” and “deep.”
"Your outlets" – these are the places where the waters are poured out with force:
Malbim
And it is not that the people will go into exile, but rather, "I will fill its mountains with its slain," and not only in the place where they fought on the mountains, but also "your hills" and so forth—bodies of the slain by the sword will fall there, for even after the conquest, they will kill them all.
I will make you perpetual desolations, and your cities shall not return; and you shall know that I am Hashem.
verse value 3911
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 46 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָֽה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "not" (לֹ֣א, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·you·shall·know" (וִידַעְתֶּ֖ם, 6 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Ezekiel. Unique to this verse in Ezekiel (hapax): "desolations·of" (שִֽׁמְמ֤וֹת), "and·your·cities" (וְעָרֶ֖יךָ), "they·will·return" (תָשֹׁ֑בְנָה). 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 427x in Ezekiel); "not" (root לא, 213x in Ezekiel); "she-ass" (root נתן, 207x in Ezekiel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'they·will·return', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 3 words.
Rashi
"And they shall not return." This is not like what was said regarding Egypt (above, 29), "I will restore the captivity of Egypt," and regarding the children of Ammon, "I will restore the captivity of the children of Ammon" (Jeremiah 49:6). Rather, this is what is stated (Malachi 1:3), "I have hated Esau, and I have laid waste his mountains," meaning that they are destined to become desolate forever.
Radak
“Eternal desolations.” The first letter of the root is lengthened by the accent, in the sense of:
"תישבנה" – The written text is "תישבנה," and its meaning pertains to the concept of "dwelling" (ישוב); however, the vocalized reading is "תשובנה," implying that they will not return to their former state.
Metzudat David
“Desolations forever.” Forever shall it be desolate, and your cities shall not return to their former state.
"For I am the Lord": The Faithful One who repays reward.
Malbim
“Desolations”: The final desolation will be eternal, until its cities are not inhabited. And then you shall know that I am the Lord, who punishes, as it is written: “They build, but I will overthrow” (Malachi 1:4).
Because you have said: These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it; whereas Hashem was there;
verse value 4524
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 54 letters. Verse gematria: 4524 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "to·me" (לִ֥י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·we·will·possess·it" (וִֽירַשְׁנ֑וּהָ, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Ezekiel. Unique to this verse in Ezekiel (hapax): "and·the·two" (וְאֶת־שְׁתֵּ֧י), "and·we·will·possess·it" (וִֽירַשְׁנ֑וּהָ). The root היה appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·Hashem" (root יהוה, 427x in Ezekiel); "you·have·said" (root אמר, 362x in Ezekiel); "they·will·be" (root היה, 335x in Ezekiel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·we·will·possess·it', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 3 words. Full calculation: יַ֣עַן [because] (130) + אֲ֠מׇרְךָ֠ [you·have·said] (261) + אֶת־שְׁנֵ֨י [the·two] (761) + הַגּוֹיִ֜ם [the·nations] (64) + וְאֶת־שְׁתֵּ֧י [and·the·two] (1117) + הָאֲרָצ֛וֹת [the·lands] (702) + לִ֥י [to·me] (40) + תִהְיֶ֖ינָה [they·will·be] (480) + וִֽירַשְׁנ֑וּהָ [and·we·will·possess·it] (577) + וַיהֹוָ֖ה [and·Hashem] (32) + שָׁ֥ם [there] (340) + הָיָֽה [was] (20) = 4524.
Rashi
“Two nations” – Israel and Judah. And in an aggadic midrash, Rabbi Tanḥuma expounded this in light of the fact that Esau went to Ishmael to marry into his household, so as to provoke Isaac regarding the inheritance of Abraham, and that Ishmael would kill Isaac, and I would be the avenger of the blood and kill Ishmael. And this is what is meant by: “The days of my father’s mourning are near, and I will inherit Isaac and Ishmael” (Genesis 27:41).
And the Lord was there. He knows your thoughts:
Radak
"Because you have spoken of the two nations, Israel and Judah:"
“And the two lands.” The land of Judah and Benjamin, and the land of the remaining tribes, as they were divided in the kingdoms. And it said, “Let them be attached,” and similarly, “The sojourners of my house and my maidservants have counted me a stranger.” Behold, My anger and My zeal and My wrath have been poured out. And afterward it said, “And they shall inherit it,” in the singular form, because the two lands are one, only that the kingdom was divided after David.
And the Lord was there. He heard their words and returned their reward upon their heads.
Metzudat David
Because you have spoken of the two nations, etc., they are Judah and Israel, and their lands—behold, from now on they shall be Mine, and we shall inherit them forever.
"And the Lord was there." This implies: But it will not be so, for "the Lord was there"—meaning, the place of the Sanctuary—and He was there. How then could He abandon it into your hands?
Malbim
Because you said that afterward, in the days of the exile, you desired that Israel be subjugated under you forever, and that the Land of Israel be yours, until you declared that the two nations—Judah and the Ten Tribes—and their two lands shall be mine, and we shall inherit it. And the Lord was there, yet you claim that you will also inherit the Lord who was there, for you assert that Edom entered into the place of Israel, that Israel profaned the Lord, and you are the nation that the Lord chose. (And contrary to what was said regarding the two nations) Therefore, as I live, I will act according to your anger, by which you have done much evil to Israel in the days of the exile, through anger and jealousy, as if it were the jealousy of God. And this you did out of your hatred, and I made Myself known among them, so that then, when I judge you, I will declare that they are My people and I am their God, and the true faith will be known.
therefore, as I live, says the Lord Hashem, I will do according to your anger and according to your envy, which you have used out of your hatred against them; and I will make Myself known among them, when I shall judge you.
verse value 5543
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 71 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יֱהֹוִה֒) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "in·them" (בָּ֑ם, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·as·your·jealousy" (וּכְקִנְאָ֣תְךָ֔, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 42: in·them, in·them. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Ezekiel. Unique to this verse in Ezekiel (hapax): "according·to·your·anger" (כְּאַפְּךָ֙), "and·as·your·jealousy" (וּכְקִנְאָ֣תְךָ֔), "you·did" (עָשִׂ֔יתָה). The root עשה appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 427x in Ezekiel); "which" (root אשר, 341x in Ezekiel); "my·lord" (root אדון, 222x in Ezekiel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·them', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 4 words.
Rashi
"And I will do to you according to your anger." Just as that nose [i.e., that anger] which you brought upon Israel, so will I do to you.
"And I will make Myself known among them. As I will judge you, then they will recognize My might:"
Radak
Therefore, "And I will do according to your anger and according to your zeal." Just as Your anger and Your zeal were directed against Israel, so too will I act toward You.
“Which You have done because of Your hatred of them.” “Your hatred” is written with a final yod, which serves as a sign of pluralization for males only, as in “That I may tell of all Your praises” and “And they bore their harlotries, your harlotries, and your abominations,” and similar cases.
“And I will make Myself known among them when I judge you, for their sake I will judge you.” And then I will be made known to Israel that I have chosen them, and they are to Me a people. And the Targum: “And I will reveal Myself to do good to them when I take vengeance from you.”
Metzudat David
“And I will do.” I will do to you according to your anger and jealousy, which you showed them because of the great hatred you have for them; that is to say, I will deal with you in proportion to what you did to him.
"And I will be known among them." I will be known and distinguished among the children of Israel as One who oversees, when I judge you for what you have done to him.
Metzudat Zion
And as for “your zeal”: The term denotes anger, as it is written, “They provoked Me to jealousy with what is no god” (Deuteronomy 32:21).
And you shall know that I Hashem have heard all your blasphemies which you have spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying: They are laid desolate, they are given us to devour.
verse value 6173
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 71 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֒) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "that" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "all·your·blasphemies" (אֶת־כׇּל־נָאָֽצוֹתֶ֗יךָ, 11 letters). Words sharing gematria 86: to·us, for·food. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Ezekiel. Unique to this verse in Ezekiel (hapax): "all·your·blasphemies" (אֶת־כׇּל־נָאָֽצוֹתֶ֗יךָ). The root אמר appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 427x in Ezekiel); "you·said" (root אמר, 362x in Ezekiel); "which" (root אשר, 341x in Ezekiel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'they·was·desolate', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 4 words.
Radak
"And you shall know, your blasphemies." The nun and the aleph are vocalized with a qamats, and it is among the letters that are dagesh-ed; were it not for the aleph, it would be written "na'atzah" (as in "on the pattern of efrah"). Likewise, the word "parashah" and the phrase "the greatness of Mordecai" are written without a dagesh because of the resh.
"To say that it is desolate." It is written with a he, like "has not poured out," and it is read with a vav.
Metzudat David
"And you shall know." Then you will know that I have heard all your words of contempt that you spoke concerning the mountains of Israel, saying, "Behold, they lie desolate, for their inhabitants have been given to us as food, and none of them remains there."
Metzudat Zion
"Your revilings." The term denotes contempt, as in: "For the men had despised the offering of the Lord" (1 Samuel 2:17).
Malbim
(And in response to what was said regarding the two lands, it says:) “And you shall know that I am the Lord,” because I have heard your revilings, in which you reviled Me, in that you spoke concerning the mountains of Israel, saying, “They are desolate,” claiming that they lie waste on account of the sins of Israel, so that the Israelites will not be found dwelling there; rather, they have been given to us for food, and the inheritance is not merely for us to dwell there, but to consume the fruits that grow there.
And you have magnified yourselves against Me with your mouth, and have multiplied your words against Me; I have heard it.
verse value 3109
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 39 letters. The shortest word is "against·me" (עָלַי֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·you·have·magnified" (וַתַּגְדִּ֤ילוּ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 110: against·me, against·me. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Ezekiel. Unique to this verse in Ezekiel (hapax): "and·you·have·magnified" (וַתַּגְדִּ֤ילוּ), "in·your·mouth" (בְּפִיכֶ֔ם), "and·you·have·multiplied" (וְהַעְתַּרְתֶּ֥ם). The root על appears 2 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "against·me" (root על, 272x in Ezekiel); "I" (root אני, 166x in Ezekiel); "your·words" (root דבר, 101x in Ezekiel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'your·words', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 2 words. Full calculation: וַתַּגְדִּ֤ילוּ [and·you·have·magnified] (459) + עָלַי֙ [against·me] (110) + בְּפִיכֶ֔ם [in·your·mouth] (152) + וְהַעְתַּרְתֶּ֥ם [and·you·have·multiplied] (1121) + עָלַ֖י [against·me] (110) + דִּבְרֵיכֶ֑ם [your·words] (276) + אֲנִ֖י [I] (61) + שָׁמָֽעְתִּי [I·have·heard] (820) = 3109.
Rashi
“and you increased.” You increased. Likewise, “and the cloud increased” (above 8:11) is language of increase.
Radak
"And you shall increase." [This implies:] You would have said, "I do not heed your evil words."
"And you shall multiply [words]." The matter [refers to] an abundance of strong words. And similarly, "and the kisses of an enemy are abundant" — an expression of abundance. [And similarly,] "a thick cloud of incense rose" [meaning it was abundant/thick]. And likewise, Jonathan [ben Uzziel] rendered [in the Targum]: "And you shall multiply your words against Me."
Metzudat David
And you have spoken great things. And that which you have magnified against Me in your mouth, to speak great words and words of arrogance, and that which you have multiplied against Me your words in words of reproach—behold, I have heard all, and there is no matter hidden from Me.
Metzudat Zion
"and you shall increase." The matter is one of addition, like "was abundant" regarding the cloud of incense (above, 8:).
Malbim
(And contrary to what is stated, “And the Lord’s name was there; they will also inherit the Lord”): “You spoke arrogantly against Me”—this refers to the frightening tales told about the Divine, and your recitation of your specific words that you narrated concerning the Divine, which contain elements of disgrace, defect, and vanity. I too have heard that this pertains to My honor.
Thus says the Lord Hashem: When the whole earth rejoices, I will make you desolate.
verse value 1882
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 33 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יֱהֹוִ֑ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "thus" (כֹּ֥ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "all·the·earth" (כׇּל־הָאָ֔רֶץ, 6 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Ezekiel. Unique to this verse in Ezekiel (hapax): "when·rejoicing" (כִּשְׂמֹ֙חַ֙). 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 427x in Ezekiel); "said" (root אמר, 362x in Ezekiel); "my·lord" (root אדון, 222x in Ezekiel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 4 words. Full calculation: כֹּ֥ה [thus] (25) + אָמַ֖ר [said] (241) + אֲדֹנָ֣י [my·lord] (65) + יֱהֹוִ֑ה [Hashem] (26) + כִּשְׂמֹ֙חַ֙ [when·rejoicing] (368) + כׇּל־הָאָ֔רֶץ [all·the·earth] (346) + שְׁמָמָ֖ה [devastation] (385) + אֶעֱשֶׂה־לָּֽךְ [I·will·do·to·you] (426) = 1882.
Rashi
"As all the land rejoices" – When I shall take My sovereignty, then the land shall rejoice, as it is stated: "The Lord is King, let the earth rejoice" (Psalms 96:11). Then I shall make you a desolation.
Radak
Thus it is said: “As the whole land rejoices.” The kaph in “as rejoices” and the kaph in “as your rejoicing”—these two kaphs are similar in their analogy, like “as a people,” “as a priest,” “as you,” “as Pharaoh,” “as a lender,” “as a borrower,” and similar cases. The meaning is that the rejoicing of the whole land over your desolation and your rejoicing over the desolation of the inheritance of Israel are equal; that is, just as you rejoiced over the inheritance of Israel when it lay desolate, so too the whole land will rejoice over your desolation.
Metzudat David
As at the time of rejoicing. At the time when there will be joy throughout the land, and then I will make them desolate; and this is in the days of the Messiah, when the Kingdom of Heaven will be revealed, and then joy will increase in the world, as it is stated: "The Lord has become King, let the earth rejoice" (Psalms 96:11).
Malbim
Thus says the Lord: (In response to your rejoicing over the downfall of Israel) I will make you a desolation, at the time when the entire land will rejoice through Israel dwelling in joy and tranquility, until you see the joy of Israel before your downfall.
As you did rejoice over the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so will I do to you; you shall be desolate, O mount Seir, and all Edom, even all of it; and they shall know that I am Hashem.
verse value 5706
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 74 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָֽה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 5706 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "because" (עַ֥ל, 2 letters) and the longest is "house·of·Israel" (בֵּֽית־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל, 8 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Ezekiel. Unique to this verse in Ezekiel (hapax): "as·your·joy" (כְּשִׂמְחָ֨תְךָ֜), "to·inheritance·of" (לְנַחֲלַ֧ת), "that·it·was·desolate" (אֲשֶׁר־שָׁמֵ֖מָה). 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 427x in Ezekiel); "shall·be" (root היה, 335x in Ezekiel); "because" (root על, 272x in Ezekiel). First appearance of the root נחלה ("to·inheritance·of") in Ezekiel. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'I·will·do·to·you', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 8 words.
Radak
"As your joy was": It shall be Mount Seir. The word "mountain" is referred to in the feminine gender, or its meaning is "the congregation of Mount Seir." And so too, "all of Edom" means "the congregation of Edom," as in "and Israel became" and "and Edom became."
Metzudat David
“Your joy” – as much as the joy you had over the inheritance of the House of Israel, because it became desolate; according to this measure, I will make joy over your desolation.
"For I am the Lord." The Faithful One who repays reward.
Malbim
(And in response to the fact that you rejoiced over the destruction of the Land), “As you rejoiced…” so I will do to you, that all will rejoice over the destruction of your land. (And in response to what you said regarding divinity), “Mount Seir shall become a desolation…” meaning that it will remain a desolation forever. And through this they will know that I am the Lord, and they will recognize the truth of My divinity, as it is stated: “They shall build, but I will tear down; and they shall be called the border of wickedness, and the people upon whom the Lord is angry forever.”
Radak