Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them;
Ver. 12. By taking vengeance.] Heb., By revenging revengement; out of a vindictive spirit rejoicing at Judah's harms, and saying, They were well enough served. See the prophecy of Oba 1:10-16 and Psa 137:7 Their father Esau was of a spiteful spirit, Gen 27:41 and they took after him, proceeding upon the old score. Hence they are put for God's and the Church's enemies by a specialty. Isa 63:1-6 Joe 3:9-17 Amo 9:1-10 A learned man hath given us this note: Esau signifieth a doer or a worker; Edom, a ruddy, bloody, or earthy man. These Edomites were a type of justiciaries, who will needs be saved by their works and merits. These are the deadliest enemies of God's people, war upon them continually, seek and suck their blood, and shall at length suffer condign punishment.
And hath greatly offended and revenged himself upon them.] Wishing, as Caligula did by the people of Rome, that they had all but one neck, a that he might cut them off at one blow. Plane sunt serpentes, saith Luther concerning hypocrites, quo nullum est animal vindictae cupidius, they are very serpents, than which there is no living creature more revengeful.
a ειθ ' ενα αυχενα ειχετε .