Thus says the Lord GOD: For this prophetic introduction, see Ezek 25.3.

Because Edom acted revengefully against the house of Judah: The Edomites sinned by taking revenge on the people of Judah. Edom may be rendered “the country of Edom” or “The people of Edom” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version). Acted revengefully renders a Hebrew verb and noun from the same root as that used in 24.8, where the verb is translated “take revenge” (see the comments there). Good News Translation says “took cruel revenge,” and Revised English Bible has “exacted harsh revenge.” Both these renderings imply that the Edomites acted very badly in taking revenge, but God does not say exactly what they did or what they were getting even for. For the house of Judah, see Ezek 25.3.

And has grievously offended in taking vengeance upon them means the Edomites became very guilty by taking vengeance on the people of Judah. Grievously offended renders two forms of the same Hebrew verb meaning “be guilty.” It is repeated here for emphasis. New Living Translation says “sinned greatly,” New Jerusalem Bible has “committed great crimes,” and New International Version translates “became very guilty” (similarly New International Reader’s Version). God is the one the Edomites grievously offended, so translators may say “sinned greatly [or, committed a great offense] against me.”

In this verse the Hebrew root for “revenge” occurs three times, and the verb for “be guilty” appears twice. God emphasizes both these ideas in relation to the actions of the Edomites toward the people of Judah. A model for verses 12-13a is:

• 12 The Lord Yahweh said, “The people of Edom took revenge on the people of Judah and sinned greatly as they took revenge on those people. 13 Because of that….

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .