FocusThe surrounding powers judged
Ezekiel 31:7
KJVThus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters.
The messages address neighboring peoples and powerful kingdoms, showing that judgment is not confined to Jerusalem.
- 31:1 And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
- 31:2 Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness?
- 31:3 Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs.
- 31:4 The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field.
- 31:5 Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth.
- 31:6 All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.
- 31:7 Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters.
- 31:8 The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chestnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty.
- 31:9 I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him.
- 31:10 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;
- 31:11 I have therefore delivered him into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen; he shall surely deal with him: I have driven him out for his wickedness.
- 31:12 And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him.
- 31:13 Upon his ruin shall all the fowls of the heaven remain, and all the beasts of the field shall be upon his branches:
- 31:14 To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water: for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit.
- 31:15 Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when he went down to the grave I caused a mourning: I covered the deep for him, and I restrained the floods thereof, and the great waters were stayed: and I caused Lebanon to mourn for him, and all the trees of the field fainted for him.
- 31:16 I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that descend into the pit: and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall be comforted in the nether parts of the earth.
- 31:17 They also went down into hell with him unto them that be slain with the sword; and they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen.
- 31:18 To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Ezekiel son of Buzi, a priest and prophet among the exiles, is the named prophetic voice and traditional author. Biblical references: Ezekiel 1:1; Ezekiel 1:3. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Ezekiel 25:1–32:32): The named foreign peoples and rulers—Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt—are the targets of the oracles heard by Ezekiel's community. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The house of Israel, with Ezekiel speaking especially among the Judean exiles in Babylonia. Some visions concern people in Jerusalem or other nations rather than people physically present with him. Biblical references: Ezekiel 3:11; Ezekiel 8:1; Ezekiel 24:21. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Egypt Will Fall like Assyria. Read Ezekiel 31:1 through Ezekiel 31:18 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The messages address neighboring peoples and powerful kingdoms, showing that judgment is not confined to Jerusalem. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book repeatedly dates visions by years of captivity. Events pictured in a vision, the time of receiving it, and the time of later fulfillment should be distinguished. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Ezekiel is among the exiles by the river Chebar. Visions carry him to other scenes, including Jerusalem; visionary location is not automatically ordinary physical travel. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Egypt Will Fall like Assyria (Ezekiel 31:1 to Ezekiel 31:18). Start reading at Ezekiel 31:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The shepherd promise can be read alongside Jesus' teaching about the good shepherd. The connection should retain Ezekiel's concern for the scattered flock and the failure of Israel's shepherds. See Ezekiel 34:11, Ezekiel 34:23, John 10:11. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Take warnings about personal responsibility and corrupt leadership seriously. When interpreting symbolic acts or visions, begin with the explanations supplied within the book. interpretation
Cited: Ezekiel 31:1, Ezekiel 31:18, Ezekiel 34:11, Ezekiel 34:23, John 10:11
Who wrote it, and how we know
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Ezekiel 31
Ezekiel 1:1 Ezekiel 1:2 Ezekiel 1:3
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Ezekiel
Ezekiel 1:1 Ezekiel 1:2 Ezekiel 1:3
The vision and commission
Ezekiel 1:1–3:27FocusGlory, the scroll, and responsibility
Judgment on Jerusalem
Ezekiel 4:1–24:27FocusSigns, visions, and covenant unfaithfulness
FocusThe surrounding powers judged
After the fall: responsibility and restoration
Ezekiel 33:1–39:29FocusShepherding, cleansing, and renewed life
The vision of temple and land
Ezekiel 40:1–48:35FocusOrdered worship and the LORD's presence
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.