Throughout the biblical narrative, the relationship between the Israelites and surrounding nations is marked by tension, conflict, and at times, outright hostility. The Scriptures document instances where other nations rejoiced at the calamities that befell the Jewish people, reflecting a broader theme of enmity and divine justice.

Biblical Instances of Rejoicing at Calamity

1. Edom's Rejoicing: The nation of Edom, descendants of Esau, is frequently mentioned as rejoicing over the misfortunes of Israel. The prophet Obadiah condemns Edom for standing aloof during Jerusalem's destruction and for gloating over the people of Judah in their day of ruin. Obadiah 1:12 states, "But you should not gloat in your brother’s day of misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast in the day of their distress."

2. Philistines and Tyre: The Philistines and the people of Tyre are also noted for their joy at Israel's downfall. Ezekiel 25:3 records God's message to the Ammonites, which can be extended to other nations: "Because you said, ‘Aha!’ against My sanctuary when it was desecrated, and against the land of Israel when it was laid waste, and against the house of Judah when they went into exile."

3. Ammonites' Mockery: The Ammonites, another neighboring nation, are rebuked for their mockery and joy over Israel's calamity. Ezekiel 25:6 says, "For this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you clapped your hands and stomped your feet and rejoiced with all the malice of your heart against the land of Israel."

Theological Implications

The rejoicing of other nations over Israel's calamities is not merely a historical account but carries significant theological implications. It underscores the theme of divine retribution and justice. The prophets consistently warn that such gloating is not overlooked by God. Instead, it invites divine judgment upon those who take pleasure in the suffering of God's chosen people.

Divine Justice and Retribution

The biblical narrative emphasizes that God is not indifferent to the actions and attitudes of the nations surrounding Israel. The rejoicing of these nations is met with prophetic declarations of impending judgment. For instance, Obadiah 1:15 warns, "For the Day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your recompense will return upon your own head."

Moral and Ethical Lessons

From a moral and ethical standpoint, the rejoicing of other nations at Israel's calamities serves as a cautionary tale against schadenfreude—taking pleasure in the misfortunes of others. The biblical text calls for compassion and empathy, even towards adversaries, reflecting the broader biblical ethic of love and justice.

Conclusion

The biblical record of other nations rejoicing at the calamities of the Jews serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring themes of justice, divine retribution, and the moral imperative to respond to the suffering of others with compassion rather than glee.Psalm 44:13,14
You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 80:5,6
You feed them with the bread of tears; and give them tears to drink in great measure.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 36:4
Therefore, you mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus said the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes, and to the cities that are forsaken, which became a prey and derision to the residue of the heathen that are round about;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... of that day, who were mostly Jews, that they ... "Those were the days of vengeance, that
all things which ... and in some measure illustrated by other prophecies; but ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm

How Josephus was Discovered by a Woman, and was Willing to Deliver ...
... The laws of other nations also enjoin such men's hands to ... When therefore they were
all ordered to withdraw, excepting ... knew what was the law of the Jews in this ...
/.../chapter 8 how josephus was.htm

The Books of the Old Testament as a Whole. 1 the Province of ...
... established in the national faith of the Jews, that the ... only one nation, while all
the other nations were left ... to Abraham""In thy seed shall all the nations ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xviii the books of.htm

A Treatise to Prove that no one Can Harm the Man who Does not ...
... So, at least, the Jews were not profited by those great miracles, nor on the other
hand were ... foreigners though they were, ignorant of all divine revelation ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/a treatise to prove that.htm

That Evil Comes of Sloth, and virtue from Diligence, and that ...
... that the Queen of the South would condemn the Jews. ... Even so therefore as the other,
when all these things ... to men to be the groundwork of all sufferings together ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily iii that evil comes.htm

Sowing and Reaping
... What has become of the Jews? ... at Epworth, England, caught fire one night, and all
the inmates were ... by two farm-hands, one standing on the shoulder of the other. ...
/.../moody/sowing and reaping/chapter i sowing and reaping.htm

Introduction.
... prophecy, and are designed to console the Jews under national ... 24] years, and that
then he and all men are to ... is corrupt shall die." So in other passages, both ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/introduction.htm

St. Gregory the Great.
... Gregory's incessant activity among the western nations in process ... against the misbelief
of the Jews, which they ... one who was superior to all other bishops, that ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter v st gregory the.htm

English Version of the Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... and says, 'The Lord is high above all nations, and his ... is written in the Gospel,
'The Jews sought how ... in him only, contemning and rejecting all other aids of ...
/.../english version of the second.htm

The Arabic Gospel of the Infancy of the Saviour (Nt Apocrypha)
... were making images of asses, oxen, birds, and other animals; and ... dyer wished, until
He had taken them all out. When the Jews saw this miracle and prodigy, they ...
/.../the arabic gospel of the infancy of the saviour/the arabic gospel of the.htm

What does it mean that Jesus is the King of the Jews? | GotQuestions.org

Who are the Ashkenazi Jews? Are the Ashkenazim truly Jews? | GotQuestions.org

Who are the Jews for Jesus, and what do they believe? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus