Ezekiel 17:12 kjv
Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon;
Ezekiel 17:12 nkjv
"Say now to the rebellious house: 'Do you not know what these things mean?' Tell them, 'Indeed the king of Babylon went to Jerusalem and took its king and princes, and led them with him to Babylon.
Ezekiel 17:12 niv
"Say to this rebellious people, 'Do you not know what these things mean?' Say to them: 'The king of Babylon went to Jerusalem and carried off her king and her nobles, bringing them back with him to Babylon.
Ezekiel 17:12 esv
"Say now to the rebellious house, Do you not know what these things mean? Tell them, behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and took her king and her princes and brought them to him to Babylon.
Ezekiel 17:12 nlt
"Say to these rebels of Israel: Don't you understand the meaning of this riddle of the eagles? The king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, took away her king and princes, and brought them to Babylon.
Ezekiel 17 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 17:12 | "Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of plumage... | Prophecy against Zedekiah, king of Judah (Context for the accusation) |
| 2 Kings 24:1 | In his days, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant for three years. | Zedekiah's submission to Babylon before rebellion |
| 2 Chron 36:10 | And when the year was ended, Nebuchadnezzar sent and brought him to Babylon, with the precious vessels... | Jeremiah taken to Babylon, indicating foreign dominion |
| Jeremiah 37:1 | King Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned, instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim... | Zedekiah's ascent to the throne under Babylonian authority |
| Jeremiah 52:4 | And Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. | Zedekiah's reign as a vassal king |
| Isaiah 14:12 | “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! ... | Imagery of pride and downfall, possibly echoing the eagle metaphor |
| Jeremiah 22:24 | "As I live, declares the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, were the signet ring on my right hand, yet I would tear it off,... | Divine rejection of a ruler who has broken covenant |
| Ezekiel 17:15 | But he rebelled against him by sending his envoys to Egypt to get them horses and a great host. ... | Zedekiah's rebellion as the basis of the accusation |
| Jeremiah 34:16 | “but you have turned and profaned my name by everyone's returning his male and female servant, whom he had set... | Neglect of covenant responsibilities |
| Psalm 2:4 | He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. | God's perspective on earthly rulers defying His will |
| Proverbs 19:21 | Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. | God's sovereignty over human plans and political events |
| Romans 11:18 | do not boast against the branches. If you do boast, remember that it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you. | Warning against pride and reliance on oneself, echoing the vine's root |
| John 15:1 | "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. | Christ as the true source of life and fruitfulness, contrasted with the apostate |
| Jeremiah 2:11 | Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are not gods? But my people have changed my glory for that which does not profit. | Idolatry and turning away from the true source of life |
| Hosea 10:1 | Israel is a luxuriant vine that bears its fruit. But the more fruit he bore, the more sacrifices he made... | Israel's unfaithfulness despite abundant blessings |
| Jeremiah 2:18 | And now what do you gain by going to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? Or what do you gain by going to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates? | Seeking help from foreign powers instead of God |
| Ezekiel 19:10 | Your mother was like a vine planted by waters, fruitful and full of branches by reason of abundant water. | The lineage of Judah as a transplanted vine, initially fruitful |
| Psalm 80:8 | You removed a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. | God's act of choosing and establishing Israel |
| Isaiah 5:1-7 | Let me sing for my beloved, my love song concerning his vineyard... | Parable of the unfruitful vineyard, symbolizing Israel's failure |
| Romans 15:12 | And again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse will come, and he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope." | Messianic prophecy about a new beginning and universal hope |
| Galatians 6:16 | And as many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. | The spiritual Israel, blessed by walking according to God's ways |
Ezekiel 17 verses
Ezekiel 17 12 Meaning
The verse describes a foreign king's accusation that Jerusalem, a ruler, and its people are like a vine transplanted, whose roots were not its own. This implies a lack of legitimate inheritance or self-sufficiency, suggesting they were reliant on or owed allegiance to another power, and that their prosperity was due to this foreign connection rather than their own inherent strength or divine favor.
Ezekiel 17 12 Context
Ezekiel chapter 17 is a complex prophetic oracle delivered to King Zedekiah of Judah. The chapter uses the extended metaphor of two eagles and a vine to represent the political and spiritual decline of Judah under Zedekiah's reign. The "great eagle" is identified with Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, who carried Jehoiakim and later Zedekiah into exile or subservience. The first "highest branch" taken from the "topmost of its young twigs" represents Jehoiakim, transplanted to Babylon. The second eagle, which Zedekiah later turned to, represents Egypt, symbolizing his attempt to break free from Babylonian suzerainty by forming an alliance with Egypt. Verse 12 specifically is part of the explanation given by Ezekiel to Zedekiah, articulating the divine judgment upon his rebellion and reliance on Egypt rather than on God's covenant. The people of Jerusalem, under Zedekiah, are accused of rooting themselves in foreign allegiance and prosperity, rather than in their God.
Ezekiel 17 12 Word Analysis
Say: (Hebrew: אמר - amar) - To speak, tell, declare. A fundamental word for prophetic utterance.
to them: Refers to the princes of Judah and the people of Jerusalem to whom the prophecy is directed, in addition to King Zedekiah.
Thus: (Hebrew: כה - koh) - In this way, so. Introduces a divine declaration.
says: (Hebrew: אמר - amar) - Present tense of the verb to speak, emphasizing the ongoing nature of God's communication.
the Lord GOD: (Hebrew: אדני יהוה - Adonai YHWH) - A strong affirmation of God's sovereignty and supreme authority, using both the title "Lord" (Master) and the covenant name "Yahweh."
A great eagle: (Hebrew: נשר גדול - nesher gadol) - The eagle was a symbol of power, dominion, and often aggressive empire. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, is personified by this great eagle. Eagles were prominent symbols in Mesopotamian iconography.
with great wings: Denotes expansive power and reach.
long pinions: Describes large, outstretched feathers, reinforcing the image of a powerful, dominant bird.
full of plumage: Suggests richness and a fearsome, imposing appearance.
Words Group Analysis:
- "Thus says the Lord GOD": This is a standard prophetic formula establishing divine authority and the origin of the message. It immediately signals that this is not merely human opinion but God's direct word.
- "A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of plumage": This descriptive phrase vividly paints a picture of immense power, scope, and regality, directly aligning with the perceived might and influence of the Babylonian empire under Nebuchadnezzar.
Ezekiel 17 12 Bonus Section
The eagle motif in the ancient Near East often symbolized sovereignty, strength, and even divine power associated with specific deities or empires. Nebuchadnezzar, as the powerful ruler of a vast empire, adopted symbols that reflected this might. The chosen imagery starkly contrasts the sovereign God of Israel with the pagan imagery of worldly powers. Ezekiel's use of this metaphor serves to expose the folly of Judah's political maneuvering and their ultimate failure to trust in the Lord alone. The ensuing prophecy unfolds to show the inevitable consequences of such rebellion and misplaced trust. The "vine" metaphor for Israel and Judah appears frequently in scripture (e.g., Ps 80:8-11; Isa 5:1-7; Jer 2:21; Hos 10:1) representing their status as God's chosen people, meant to bear good fruit.
Ezekiel 17 12 Commentary
This verse initiates Ezekiel's elaborate parable concerning Zedekiah and Jerusalem. The imagery of the "great eagle" unequivocally points to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. The descriptor "great eagle" emphasizes his immense power and dominion. Nebuchadnezzar had conquered Judah, exiled many of its people, and placed Zedekiah on the throne as a vassal king, effectively making Jerusalem dependent on Babylon. The verse sets the stage for Zedekiah's transgression, which was to break the treaty he had sworn to Nebuchadnezzar and seek aid from Egypt. This reliance on a foreign power, instead of trusting in the Lord, is portrayed as an illegitimate rooting of their political and national life.