therefore as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will give you over to bloodshed and it will pursue you. Since you did not hate bloodshed, it will pursue you.
Parallel translations
- WEB therefore, as I live, says the Lord Yahweh, I will prepare you for blood, and blood shall pursue you: since you have not hated blood, therefore blood shall pursue you.
- KJV Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: sith thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee.
- NKJV therefore, as I live,” says the Lord God, “I will prepare you for blood, and blood shall pursue you; since you have not hated blood, therefore blood shall pursue you.
- NASB therefore as I live,” declares the Lord God, “I will certainly doom you to bloodshed, and bloodshed will pursue you; since you have not hated bloodshed, therefore bloodshed will pursue you.
- NLT As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, since you show no distaste for blood, I will give you a bloodbath of your own. Your turn has come!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Because Edom did not shrink from bloodshed, blood will pursue them in just retribution. Those who love violence will be overtaken by it.
Overview
In a play on words, since Edom 'has not hated blood,' God 'will prepare you for blood,' and 'blood shall pursue you.' The punishment fits the crime—measure for measure—a hallmark of divine justice. Those who shed blood will have blood require it of them (Gen. 9:6). The verse warns that persistent love of violence ends in self-destruction under God's hand.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Isa 63:2–6Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress?
- Obad 1:15For the Day of the LORD is near for all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your recompense will return upon your own head.
- Rev 18:24And there was found in her the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who had been slain on the earth.
- Matt 7:2For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
- Rev 18:6Give back to her as she has done to others; pay her back double for what she has done; mix her a double portion in her own cup.
- Ps 109:16–17For he never thought to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and brokenhearted, even to their death.
- Rev 19:2–3For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the blood of His servants that was poured out by her hand.”
- Rev 16:5–7And I heard the angel of the waters say: “Righteous are You, O Holy One, who is and was, because You have brought these judgments.
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Original language
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