(2) Mount Seir.--This poetical designation of the Edomites from the land which they inhabited is common in Scripture (Genesis 36:8-9; Deuteronomy 2:1; Deuteronomy 2:5; 1Chronicles 4:42, &c.). The land included the whole mountainous region between the Dead Sea and the Elanitic Gulf, or eastern branch of the Red Sea. The earlier denunciation of the Edomites had in view their historical relations to Israel; this, on the other hand, as already said--like Isaiah 34; Isaiah 63:1-6--while still keeping this historical relation in view, regards them also as representative of the world's hostility to the covenant people of God. This appears from the fact that the desolation of Edom, itself but a small province, is put in contrast (Ezekiel 35:14) with the rejoicing of the whole earth, and that in Ezekiel 36:5 (and generally Ezekiel 35:3-7) Edom is coupled with "the residue of the heathen." For the phrase "set thy face against," see Ezekiel 13:17; and on Ezekiel 35:3, comp. Ezekiel 6:14.

Verse 2. - Set thy face against Mount Seir. The mountainous are in between the Dead Sea and the Elanitic Gulf, which formed the original settlement of Esau and his descendants (Genesis 36:9), is here put for the land of Edom, as the land in turn stands for its people (Ezekiel 25:8). Although already the prophet has pronounced a threatening doom against Edom (Ezekiel 25:12-14), he once more directs against, it the judgments of Heaven, on this occasion viewing it as the representative of all those hostile world-powers which from the first had been opposed to Israel as the theocratic nation, and which even then, by their antagonism, hindered her return (cf. Isaiah 63:1-8).

35:1-9 All who have God against them, have the word of God against them. Those that have a constant hatred to God and his people, as the carnal mind has, can only expect to be made desolate for ever.Son of man set thy face against Mount Seir,.... Which had its name from Seir the Horite, who first possessed it; and was succeeded in it by Esau and his posterity, the Edomites; see Genesis 36:8, Deuteronomy 2:12, so that the country of Edom or Idumea is here intended, and the inhabitants of it; who are put for the enemies of the church and people of God in general, as these were the enemies of Israel and Judah; and particularly for Rome, which, as it was spiritually called Egypt and Sodom, so it may be called Edom, as it often is by the Jews: now the prophet is bid to turn his face towards this mountain or country, and look sternly at it, and severely threaten it. The Targum is,

"take up a prophecy against it;''

which is expressed in the next clause:

and prophesy against it; foretell things contrary to it, which relate to its destruction, as follows: