Ezekiel Chapter 31

Commentary

Egypt will Fall Like Assyria

1And 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,

2Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness?

3Behold, 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.

4The 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.

5Therefore 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.

6All 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.

7Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters.

8The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chesnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty.

9I 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.

10Therefore 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; 11I 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. 12And 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. 13Upon his ruin shall all the fowls of the heaven remain, and all the beasts of the field shall be upon his branches: 14To 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.

15Thus 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. 16I 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. 17They 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.

18To 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.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Egypt Will Fall like Assyria

1 It happened in the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first day of the month, that the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

2 Son of man, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude: Whom are you like in your greatness?

3 Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with beautiful branches, and with a forest-like shade, and of high stature; and its top was among the thick boughs.

4 The waters nourished it, the deep made it to grow: its rivers ran all around its plantation; and it sent out its channels to all the trees of the field.

5 Therefore its stature was exalted above all the trees of the field; and its boughs were multiplied, and its branches became long by reason of many waters, when it shot them forth.

6 All the birds of the sky made their nests in its boughs; and under its branches all the animals of the field brought forth their young; and all great nations lived under its shadow.

7 Thus was it beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches; for its root was by many waters.

8 The cedars in the garden of God could not hide it; the fir trees were not like its boughs, and the plane trees were not as its branches; nor was any tree in the garden of God like it in its beauty.

9 I made it beautiful by the multitude of its branches, so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied it.

10 Therefore thus said the Lord Yahweh: Because you are exalted in stature, and he has set his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height; 11 I will even deliver him into the hand of the mighty one of the nations; he shall surely deal with him; I have driven him out for his wickedness. 12 Strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: on the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the watercourses of the land; and all the peoples of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him. 13 On his ruin all the birds of the sky shall dwell, and all the animals of the field shall be on his branches; 14 to the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves in their stature, neither set their top among the thick boughs, nor that their mighty ones stand up on their height, even all who drink water: for they are all delivered to death, to the lower parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with those who go down to the pit.

15 Thus says the Lord Yahweh: In the day when he went down to Sheol I caused a mourning: I covered the deep for him, and I restrained its rivers; and the great waters were stayed; and I caused Lebanon to mourn for him, and all the trees of the field fainted for him. 16 I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to Sheol with those who descend into the pit; and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, were comforted in the lower parts of the earth. 17 They also went down into Sheol with him to those who are slain by the sword; yes, those who were his arm, that lived under his shadow in the midst of the nations.

18 To whom are you thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet you will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the lower parts of the earth: you shall lie in the midst of the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, says the Lord Yahweh.

Egypt Will Fall like Assyria

1 In the eleventh year, on the first day of the third month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude:

‘Who can be compared

to your greatness?

3 Look at Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon,

with beautiful branches that shaded the forest.

It towered on high;

its top was among the clouds.

4 The waters made it grow;

the deep springs made it tall,

directing their streams all around its base

and sending their channels to all the trees of the field.

5 Therefore it towered higher

than all the trees of the field.

Its branches multiplied,

and its boughs grew long

as it spread them out

because of the abundant waters.

6 All the birds of the air

nested in its branches,

and all the beasts of the field

gave birth beneath its boughs;

all the great nations

lived in its shade.

7 It was beautiful in its greatness,

in the length of its limbs,

for its roots extended

to abundant waters.

8 The cedars in the garden of God

could not rival it;

the cypresses a could not compare with its branches,

nor the plane trees b match its boughs.

No tree in the garden of God

could compare with its beauty.

9 I made it beautiful with its many branches,

the envy of all the trees of Eden,

which were in the garden of God.’

10 Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Since it became great c in height and set its top among the clouds, d and it grew proud on account of its height, 11 I delivered it into the hand of the ruler of the nations, for him to deal with it according to its wickedness. I have banished it.

12 Foreigners, the most ruthless of the nations, cut it down and left it. Its branches have fallen on the mountains and in every valley; its boughs lay broken in all the earth’s ravines. And all the peoples of the earth left its shade and abandoned it.

13 All the birds of the air nested on its fallen trunk, and all the beasts of the field lived among its boughs. 14 This happened so that no other trees by the waters would become great in height and set their tops among the clouds, and no other well-watered trees would reach them in height. For they have all been consigned to death, to the depths of the earth, among the mortals who descend to the Pit.’

15 This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘On the day it was brought down to Sheol, I caused mourning. I covered the deep because of it; I held back its rivers; its abundant waters were restrained. I made Lebanon mourn for it, and all the trees of the field fainted because of it. 16 I made the nations quake at the sound of its downfall, when I cast it down to Sheol with those who descend to the Pit.

Then all the trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, all the well-watered trees, were consoled in the earth below. 17 They too descended with it to Sheol, to those slain by the sword. As its allies they had lived in its shade among the nations.

18 Who then is like you in glory and greatness among the trees of Eden? You also will be brought down to the depths of the earth to be with the trees of Eden. You will lie among the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord GOD.’ ”

 

Footnotes:

8 a Or pines  or junipers  or firs
8 b Possibly chestnut  or juniper
10 c Hebrew you became great
10 d Or through the thick boughs

Egypt will Fall Like Assyria

1And it cometh to pass, in the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first of the month, hath a word of Jehovah been unto me, saying:

2'Son of man, say unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and unto his multitude: To whom hast thou been like in thy greatness?

3Lo, Asshur, a cedar in Lebanon, Fair in branch, and shading bough, and high in stature, And between thickets hath its foliage been.

4Waters have made it great, The deep hath exalted him with its flowings, Going round about its planting, And its conduits it hath sent forth unto all trees of the field.

5Therefore higher hath been his stature than all trees of the field, And multiplied are his boughs, and long are his branches, Because of many waters in his shooting forth,

6In his boughs made a nest hath every fowl of the heavens, And under his branches brought forth hath every beast of the field, And in his shade dwell do all great nations.

7And he is fair in his greatness, In the length of his thin shoots, For his root hath been by great waters.

8Cedars have not hid him in the garden of God, Firs have not been like unto his boughs, And chesnut-trees have not been as his branches, No tree in the garden of God hath been like unto him in his beauty,

9Fair I have made him in the multitude of his thin shoots, And envy him do all trees of Eden that are in the garden of God.

10Therefore, thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because that thou hast been high in stature, And he yieldeth his foliage between thickets, And high is his heart in his haughtiness, 11I give him into the hand of a god of nations, He dealeth sorely with him, In his wickedness I have cast him out. 12And cut him off do strangers, The terrible of nations, and they leave him, On the mountains and in all valleys have his thin shoots fallen, And broken are his boughs at all streams of the land, And go down from his shade do all peoples of the land, and they leave him. 13On his ruin dwell do all fowls of the heavens, And on his boughs have been all the beasts of the field, 14In order that none of the trees of the waters May become haughty because of their stature, Nor give their foliage between thickets, Nor any drinking waters stand up unto them in their haughtiness, For all of them are given up to death, Unto the earth -- the lower part, In the midst of the sons of men, Unto those going down to the pit.

15Thus said the Lord Jehovah: In the day of his going down to sheol I have caused mourning, I have covered for him the deep, and diminish its flowings, And restrained are many waters, And I make Lebanon black for him, And all trees of the field have been covered for him. 16From the sound of his fall I have caused nations to shake, In My causing him to go down to sheol, With those going down to the pit, And comforted in the earth -- the lower part, are all trees of Eden, The choice and the good of Lebanon, All drinking waters. 17Also they with him have gone down to sheol, Unto the pierced of the sword, And -- his arm -- they dwelt in his shade in the midst of nations.

18Unto whom hast thou been thus like, In honour and in greatness among the trees of Eden, And thou hast been brought down with the trees of Eden, Unto the earth -- the lower part, In the midst of the uncircumcised thou liest, With the pierced of the sword? It is Pharaoh, and all his multitude, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah!'

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Ezekiel 31?
2Introduction to Ezekiel 31
3Context of Ezekiel 31
4Ancient Key Word Study
5Compare & Contrast
6Ezekiel 31 Unique Insights
7Ezekiel 31 Connections to Yeshua
8Ezekiel 31 Scriptural Echoes
9Ezekiel 31 Devotional
10Did You Know

What is the meaning of Ezekiel 31?

Introduction to Ezekiel 31

Ezekiel 31 presents a magnificent allegory that uses the image of a towering cedar tree to illustrate divine judgment against pride and earthly power. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God delivers a warning to Pharaoh of Egypt by recounting the fall of Assyria, portrayed as a majestic cedar of Lebanon that once stood unrivaled in splendor but was cut down due to its arrogance. This chapter masterfully weaves together themes of pride, judgment, and the temporary nature of worldly power, while showcasing God’s sovereign control over nations and their rulers.

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The artistry of this prophecy lies in its vivid botanical imagery and its profound theological message. By comparing Assyria to the most impressive tree in the ancient Near East – the cedar of Lebanon – God demonstrates how even the mightiest powers are subject to His divine authority. This message resonates across centuries, speaking to both ancient and modern readers about the dangers of pride and the ultimate supremacy of God over all earthly authority.

Context of Ezekiel 31

This prophecy is situated within a larger collection of oracles against Egypt (chapters 29-32) and was delivered in 587 BC, just months before Jerusalem’s fall. The timing is crucial as Egypt represented the last hope for Judah against Babylonian dominance. Through this prophecy, God systematically dismantles any remaining confidence in Egyptian power by pointing to the fate of the even mightier Assyrian Empire.

Within the broader context of Ezekiel’s ministry, this chapter serves multiple purposes. First, it reinforces the prophet’s consistent message that trust in foreign alliances rather than in God leads to destruction. Second, it demonstrates God’s universal sovereignty over all nations, not just Israel. The chapter also connects to larger biblical themes about pride and divine judgment, echoing similar messages found in Isaiah 14 and Daniel 4.

The prophecy’s placement just before the fall of Jerusalem serves as a powerful reminder that God controls the rise and fall of nations. By comparing Egypt to Assyria, God shows that no earthly power, no matter how magnificent, can stand against His divine will. This context helps readers understand both the immediate historical situation and the timeless spiritual principles at work.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • אֶרֶז (erez) – “Cedar”: This Hebrew word symbolizes strength, majesty, and endurance. Cedars of Lebanon were the most valuable trees in the ancient Near East, used in building Solomon’s Temple. The choice of this word emphasizes the supreme earthly glory of Assyria.
  • גֹּבַהּ (govah) – “Height”: Beyond physical elevation, this term carries connotations of pride and self-exaltation. Its usage here creates a deliberate parallel with the Tower of Babel narrative, suggesting similar themes of human hubris.
  • עֲבֹתוֹ (avoto) – “Thick boughs”: This term describes the intricate network of branches, metaphorically representing the complex political alliances and economic relationships of the empire.
  • גַן־אֱלֹהִים (gan-elohim) – “Garden of God”: This phrase explicitly connects the narrative to Eden, suggesting both the original paradise and humanity’s fall through pride.
  • צַמֶּרֶת (tzameret) – “Top” or “Crown”: Used to describe the highest point of the tree, this word carries royal connotations, representing supreme authority and dominion.
  • תְּהוֹם (tehom) – “Deep”: This word recalls the primordial waters of creation, suggesting God’s fundamental control over both natural and political orders.
  • עֲרָפֶל (arafel) – “Thick darkness”: Associated with divine judgment and presence, this term foreshadows the empire’s doom while paradoxically highlighting God’s involvement.
  • נָפַל (nafal) – “Fall”: Beyond physical falling, this word carries strong theological implications of divine judgment and moral failure.
  • שְׁאוֹל (sheol) – “Sheol”: The realm of the dead, used here to emphasize complete humiliation and the reversal of prideful exaltation.

Compare & Contrast

  • Verse 3’s comparison of Assyria to a cedar, rather than other mighty trees like the oak or terebinth, emphasizes both height and far-reaching influence. The cedar’s extensive root system parallels Assyria’s vast network of vassal states.
  • Verse 8’s mention of other trees in “God’s garden” uses גַן (gan) rather than פַּרְדֵּס (pardes), suggesting a deliberate connection to Eden rather than just any royal park.
  • Verse 10’s use of רוּם (rum) for “lifted up” rather than גָבַה (gavah) emphasizes willful self-exaltation rather than natural growth.
  • Verse 12’s description of the tree’s fall employs נָטַשׁ (natash) “abandoned” rather than just נָפַל (nafal) “fell,” implying divine rejection rather than mere circumstantial collapse.
  • Verse 14’s warning uses the phrase עֵץ־מַיִם (etz-mayim) “water trees” rather than standard tree terminology, emphasizing dependence on external resources rather than internal strength.
  • Verse 15’s description of mourning uses אָבַל (aval) rather than סָפַד (safad), suggesting deep internal grief rather than external displays of mourning.
  • Verse 18’s comparison uses the phrase כָכָה (kakah) “like this” rather than כֵּן (ken), emphasizing the specific nature of the judgment rather than a general principle.
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Ezekiel 31 Unique Insights

The chapter’s arboreal imagery draws deeply from ancient Near Eastern royal ideology, where kings often compared themselves to mighty trees. However, this prophecy subverts these royal pretensions by showing that true sovereignty belongs only to God. The description of the cedar’s beauty and fall mirrors ancient Mesopotamian texts about sacred trees, but with a crucial difference – here, the tree’s magnificence leads to its downfall rather than its eternal glory.

Early rabbinical commentary, particularly in the Targum Jonathan, sees this chapter as a warning against spiritual pride, not just political arrogance. The interpretation links the cedar’s height to Torah knowledge and good deeds, warning that even these can become sources of dangerous pride if not properly directed toward heaven. This understanding aligns with Messianic Jewish theology, which emphasizes that all spiritual gifts and achievements must lead to greater humility before God.

The chapter’s connection to Eden themes suggests a deeper pattern of human pride and divine judgment. Just as Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden for attempting to become “like God,” so too are proud nations cast down when they attempt to usurp divine prerogatives. The Midrash Rabbah draws a fascinating parallel between the rivers watering the cedar and the rivers of Eden, suggesting that abundance and blessing can paradoxically lead to spiritual danger.

Some early church fathers, particularly Ephrem the Syrian, saw in this chapter a prefiguration of the cross, where the “cutting down” of the mighty becomes the means of salvation. This interpretation gains credence when we consider how Messiah’s humiliation and death became the means of victory over pride and death itself.

Ezekiel 31 Connections to Yeshua

The central theme of pride’s downfall and humility’s exaltation finds its ultimate expression in Yeshua the Messiah. As Philippians 2:5-11 describes, Jesus demonstrated the opposite spirit of the mighty cedar – choosing to humble Himself and become obedient to death on a cross. This voluntary humiliation led to His supreme exaltation by God.

The chapter’s imagery of a mighty tree being cut down and then causing universal mourning parallels the crucifixion narrative, where the death of the Messiah brought darkness over all the land. However, just as the fallen cedar’s destruction made way for new growth in the forest, Yeshua’s death and resurrection established a new covenant and spiritual kingdom. This pattern of death leading to life becomes central to understanding God’s redemptive work through the Messiah.

Ezekiel 31 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous biblical passages about pride and divine judgment. The image of the mighty tree recalls Daniel 4, where Nebuchadnezzar is similarly humbled. The Eden imagery connects to Genesis 2-3, while the theme of national humbling echoes throughout the prophets, particularly in Isaiah 14 and Isaiah 2:12-17.

The description of universal mourning at the tree’s fall finds parallel in Revelation 18‘s account of Babylon’s fall. The warning against pride resonates with Proverbs 16:18 and James 4:6. The theme of God’s sovereignty over nations echoes Psalm 2 and Daniel 2.

Ezekiel 31 Devotional

This chapter calls us to examine our own hearts for signs of pride and self-exaltation. Just as the mighty cedar was brought low, we must remember that all our achievements and blessings come from God. The warning against pride is particularly relevant in our age of self-promotion and personal branding.

We’re challenged to consider where we place our trust – in our own strength and achievements, or in God’s grace and provision? The chapter reminds us that true security comes not from our elevation but from our submission to God’s authority. It invites us to practice humility not as a form of self-deprecation, but as an honest acknowledgment of our dependence on God.

The promise of judgment against pride should lead us to grateful worship of the God who opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. We’re called to pattern our lives after Yeshua, who demonstrated true greatness through servanthood and submission to the Father’s will.

Did You Know

  • The cedars of Lebanon described in this chapter could grow to heights of 150 feet and live for over 2,000 years, making them perfect symbols of enduring power.
  • Ancient Assyrian kings actually collected exotic trees and created elaborate gardens as symbols of their power, making this metaphor particularly relevant to the original audience.
  • The phrase “garden of God” appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible – in Genesis (Eden), here in Ezekiel 31, and in Ezekiel 28, creating a significant theological connection.
  • Archaeological evidence shows that Assyrian royal propaganda often compared kings to mighty trees, making this prophecy a direct challenge to their royal ideology.
  • The description of the cedar’s branches as home to “all kinds of birds” reflects actual ecological fact – Lebanese cedars support diverse wildlife populations.
  • The Hebrew text contains several rare words for trees and plant life, suggesting careful attention to botanical accuracy in the metaphor.
  • The timeline of this prophecy coincides with the last desperate attempts of Judah to secure Egyptian aid against Babylon, making its message particularly poignant.
  • Ancient Near Eastern temples often featured tree imagery, including the Temple in Jerusalem with its carved palm trees, making the botanical metaphor religiously significant.
  • The description of waters nourishing the tree reflects the actual agricultural practices of Mesopotamian empires, who built elaborate irrigation systems.
  • The mention of “thick darkness” (עֲרָפֶל – arapel) uses the same word that describes God’s presence at Sinai, suggesting divine judgment.

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