Ezekiel 17:22 kjv
Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent:
Ezekiel 17:22 nkjv
Thus says the Lord GOD: "I will take also one of the highest branches of the high cedar and set it out. I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and will plant it on a high and prominent mountain.
Ezekiel 17:22 niv
"?'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain.
Ezekiel 17:22 esv
Thus says the Lord GOD: "I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain.
Ezekiel 17:22 nlt
"This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will take a branch from the top of a tall cedar, and I will plant it on the top of Israel's highest mountain.
Ezekiel 17 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 17:22 | Thus says the Lord GOD: "I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar. | Ezekiel 34:11-16 |
| I will place it and break off from its topmost young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it on a high and majestic mountain. | Isaiah 11:1-5 | |
| On the mountain of the height of Israel I will plant it, that it may bear branches and bring forth fruit and become a stately cedar. | Jeremiah 23:5-6 | |
| And birds of every sort shall dwell under it; they shall dwell in the shade of its branches. | Psalm 80:15-16 | |
| I will also take the highest of the high branches of the cedar and will set it. | Song of Solomon 4:12 | |
| I will break off from the top most of its young twigs a tender one, and God will set it upon a high and lofty mountain. | 1 Samuel 16:1-13 | |
| On the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it. | 1 Kings 4:25 | |
| It will bring forth boughs and bear fruit and become a magnificent cedar. | Isaiah 35:1-7 | |
| Under it will dwell all birds of every wing; in the shade of its branches they will dwell. | Genesis 15:5 | |
| All the trees of the field shall know that I am the LORD; I bring down the high tree and I exalt the low tree. | Isaiah 2:2-3 | |
| I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree to flourish. | Jeremiah 31:27-28 | |
| I, the LORD, have spoken and I will do it." | Numbers 23:19 | |
| Matthew 13:31-32 | He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed... | Mark 4:30-32 |
| Luke 13:18-19 | He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed... | John 12:32 |
| Acts 2:17 | 'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh... | Romans 11:11-24 |
| Revelation 21:3 | And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. | Revelation 11:15 |
| Psalm 92:12 | The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. | Song of Solomon 5:15 |
| Zechariah 3:8 | "Hear now, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men of good repute. Behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. | Jeremiah 23:5 |
| John 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. | Matthew 1:23 |
Ezekiel 17 verses
Ezekiel 17 22 Meaning
The verse describes a future regathering and uplifting of scattered Israel, bringing them back to their land and placing them upon it, implying a restored and prosperous existence. It signifies God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises of restoration to His people.
Ezekiel 17 22 Context
Ezekiel chapter 17 is a complex allegory using the imagery of cedars of Lebanon and vine branches to depict the history of Judah and its leaders. This chapter addresses Zedekiah, the king of Judah, directly. God uses the allegory of a two-headed eagle and a vine to illustrate the corrupted covenantal relationship between Judah and Babylon, and ultimately its repercussions. Verse 22 transitions from the judgment on corrupt leadership to a prophecy of future restoration. This prophecy signifies God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even after severe judgment. The immediate historical context is the Babylonian exile, a period of great distress and scattering for the Israelites.
Ezekiel 17 22 Word Analysis
And (וְ, ve): A conjunction, signifying continuation and connection, linking the preceding judgment with the subsequent promise.
I myself (אֲנִי, 'anokiy): Emphatic, highlighting the personal involvement and direct action of God in this restorative act.
will take (לָקַחְתִּי, laqachtiy): Future tense, indicating a definite and planned action by God.
a sprig (עָלוּקָה, 'aluqah): Root meaning can relate to something sucking or draining, but here translated as a "sprig" or "topmost shoot." This is a difficult word, potentially suggesting a selection from the highest, most prestigious part, yet now to be transformed. Some scholars suggest 'alo (uplifted) related words.
from the lofty (מִקְּצֹ֣ת, mik'tzot): From the ends or extremeties, the highest point.
top (קָצֶה, qatsheh): Extremity, tip, or end.
of the cedar (אֶרֶז, 'erez): Cedar tree, symbolizing strength, majesty, and kingship, here referring to the Davidic dynasty's lofty status.
I will place it (וְנָתַתִּי, ve'natatity): I will plant or set it, indicating placement and establishment.
and break off (וְשָׁבַרְתִּי, veshavarti): To break, shatter, or snap off. Here it implies a careful, selective removal from the powerful, high branch.
from its topmost (מִקָּצֹ֣ת, mik'tzot): From the extremities, again emphasizing the highest point of the branch.
young twigs (צַמַּרְתּוֹ, tsamarto): Its top, its crown, its foliage. Refers to the uppermost, most tender, and potentially fruitful part.
a tender one (אֶחָד, 'echad): A single, solitary young shoot, highlighting singularity and perhaps humility in its beginning.
and I myself will plant it (וַאֲנִי אֶטָּעֶנּוּ, va'anokiy 'ette'ennu): God's direct and personal act of planting. The root נטע (nata) implies deliberate setting in the ground for growth.
on a high (עַל־הַר־גָּבֹ֨הּ, 'al-har-gavoh): Upon a high mountain. Mountains in Scripture often represent significant locations of divine presence, divine action, or power.
and majestic mountain (וְעָבֹ֑ת, ve'avot): Thick, large, substantial. Enhancing the image of a grand and prominent place for planting.
On the mountain (בְּהַר, behar): Specifies the location further.
of the height (בְּמוֹת, bemot): In the height or highlands.
of Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisrael): Identifying the nation associated with this mountainous planting, connecting it to the promised land.
I will plant it (אֹתּוֹ, 'oto): It will be planted.
that it may bear branches (וְצִמֵּחַ, vetzimmacheach): That it may sprout, put forth branches, signifying growth and proliferation.
and bring forth fruit (וְיַעַשׂ, ve'ya'as): And make, produce, bear fruit, indicating productivity and fulfillment.
and become a stately (וְהָיָ֣ה, vehayah): And it will become.
cedar (אֶרֶז, 'erez): The great cedar, regaining its symbolic significance of grandeur and leadership.
And birds of every sort (וְשָֽׁכְנוּ, veshachnu): And shall dwell.
shall dwell under it (עָלָיו, 'alav): Upon it, under it, beneath it.
they shall dwell (יָגֽוּרוּ, yaguru): They will abide or sojourn.
in the shade of its branches (בְּצֵל, betzel): In the shade or shadow. Implies refuge, shelter, and sustenance provided by the plant.
Group Analysis (Cedar as Davidic Lineage): The imagery of taking a sprig from the "lofty top of the cedar" and "break[ing] off... a tender one" clearly alludes to the Davidic dynasty. The cedar represents royalty and strength. The "sprig" or "tender one" is a successor from this lineage, reduced in outward grandeur initially but chosen by God for re-establishment. This links to the prophecies about the Messiah, a descendant of David.
Group Analysis (Mountain as Zion/Kingdom): The planting "on a high and majestic mountain" specifically "on the mountain of the height of Israel" refers to Mount Zion and the restored kingdom of God. This elevation signifies divine favor, sovereignty, and centrality.
Ezekiel 17 22 Bonus Section
The "sprig" or "tender one" from the cedar finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is identified as the "Branch" (Hebrew: צֶמַח, tsemach - Jer 23:5, Zech 3:8, Zech 6:12). The imagery of the humble beginning of this royal line and its subsequent exaltation is a recurring theme in the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. The "high and majestic mountain" can be understood as God's reign and eternal kingdom, ultimately manifest in Christ's earthly kingdom and in the new heavens and new earth. The universal shelter offered to all nations ("birds of every sort") strongly parallels the commission given to the apostles to preach the Gospel to all nations, a kingdom open to all who believe. The assurance, "I, the LORD, have spoken and I will do it," underscores God's faithfulness and deterministic power to fulfill His covenant promises.
Ezekiel 17 22 Commentary
This verse introduces a profound Messianic prophecy within Ezekiel’s book. It speaks of God personally intervening to establish a new Davidic ruler. This chosen leader, though originating from the shattered line of kings (like a tender sprig broken off from a mighty cedar), will be planted by God Himself on the elevated heights of Israel. This planting signifies God's divine sovereignty and the establishment of His kingdom. The resultant great cedar, flourishing with fruit, represents the ultimate prosperity and dominion of this new ruler and the kingdom He establishes. The imagery of "birds of every sort" dwelling in its branches signifies the inclusion of Gentiles into God's restored kingdom, finding shelter and refuge under the messianic ruler's reign. This points forward to the Messiah Jesus Christ, the descendant of David, whose kingdom offers salvation and dwelling place to all nations.