Ezekiel 17 23

Ezekiel 17:23 kjv

In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.

Ezekiel 17:23 nkjv

On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar. Under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches they will dwell.

Ezekiel 17:23 niv

On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches.

Ezekiel 17:23 esv

On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest.

Ezekiel 17:23 nlt

It will become a majestic cedar, sending forth its branches and producing seed. Birds of every sort will nest in it, finding shelter in the shade of its branches.

Ezekiel 17 verses

Ezekiel 17 23 Meaning

Ezekiel 17:23 is a profound messianic prophecy envisioning the magnificent growth and universal reach of God's future kingdom, inaugurated by a humble descendant of David. It depicts a tender shoot, representing the Messiah, planted by divine power on Mount Zion, symbolizing God's dwelling place in Israel. This twig will flourish into a majestic, productive cedar, under whose vast branches all nations will find refuge, protection, and nourishment. The verse contrasts the failures of human kings with the enduring, righteous reign of God's chosen one, providing hope for the exiled people.

Ezekiel 17 23 Context

Ezekiel 17 is presented during the Babylonian exile, a time of profound national despair for Judah. The chapter begins with an enigmatic parable of two eagles and a vine (vv. 1-10), which Ezekiel later interprets for the people (vv. 11-21). This allegory exposes King Zedekiah's political rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar (the great eagle) and his deceitful reliance on Egypt (the other great eagle), illustrating how breaking a solemn oath led to Judah's utter ruin. Within this immediate context of human betrayal and divine judgment, verses 22-24 pivot sharply to a magnificent prophecy of future hope. God declares His personal initiative to raise a new, true king, the "tender twig," from the fallen line of David. This verse (v. 23) thus contrasts the present reality of national devastation with God’s unshakeable plan to establish an eternal, universal, and righteous kingdom through the Messiah.

Ezekiel 17 23 Word analysis

• In the mountain of the height of Israel (הַר־מְרֹום יִשְׂרָאֵל, har-mĕrōm yisrā'ēl): This refers specifically to Mount Zion in Jerusalem, often understood as the place of God's dwelling and the seat of His kingdom. Har means "mountain," often symbolizing strength or a spiritual/governance center. Merom denotes loftiness or preeminence, signifying its sacred and elevated status. This specifies the unique divine placement and spiritual eminence of the Messiah’s reign, pointing to Zion as the heart of His kingdom, providing hope for the exiles that Jerusalem would once again be significant.
• will I plant it (וּנְטַעְתִּי, ūnĕṭa'tî): The emphasis is on God's direct, personal, and sovereign action. "I will plant" highlights that this future kingdom is not of human initiation or dependent on earthly powers (unlike Zedekiah's political maneuvers), but is entirely established and guaranteed by God Himself. This underscores the certainty of its fulfillment.
• it shall bring forth boughs (עָנָף, ‘ānāf): This signifies abundant growth, spreading influence, and outward expansion. The boughs (branches) extend widely, indicating the far-reaching dominion and encompassing nature of the Messiah's kingdom. It speaks of vitality and flourishing.
• and bear fruit (פְּרִי, pĕrî): This implies productivity, life-giving sustenance, and blessing. The kingdom will not merely exist but will yield spiritual and material good, providing nourishment, blessings, and benefits to all who are part of it. This echoes concepts of spiritual fruitfulness within the people of God.
• and be a goodly cedar (אֶרֶז אַדִּיר, erez 'addir): Erez (cedar) is renowned for its grandeur, deep roots, towering height, and long lifespan, symbolizing strength, majesty, endurance, and perpetuity. Adir means "mighty," "magnificent," or "stately." Together, "goodly cedar" portrays the Messiah’s kingdom as splendid, formidable, unwavering, and superior to all transient earthly empires. It conveys a sense of unshakeable presence.
• and under it shall dwell (וְשָׁכְנוּ תַּחְתֶּיהָ, vĕshāḵĕnū taḥtêhā): Shākan means "to settle down" or "to dwell permanently," implying established presence. It conveys security, protection, and lasting refuge provided by this magnificent tree. This signifies an inviting and stable environment.
• all fowl of every wing (כָּל־צִפּוֹר כָּל־כָּנָף, kol-ṣippōr kol-kānāf): This is a critical image emphasizing universality and inclusion. "Every bird of every kind of wing" represents diverse peoples and nations from all corners of the earth being drawn to, and finding refuge and sustenance within, this kingdom. It powerfully foreshadows the gathering of the Gentiles into the church, making the kingdom a global sanctuary. This is directly paralleled in the New Testament parable of the mustard seed.
• in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell: The "shadow" (ṣillāh) represents protection, comfort, and security. Dwelling "in the shadow" is a metaphor for finding shelter, peace, and deliverance, underscoring the benefits of seeking refuge in the Messiah’s kingdom—a safe haven from the world’s troubles and the Lord's protective care. This imagery resonates with Psalms that describe taking refuge under God's wings.

Ezekiel 17 23 Bonus section

This prophecy served as a vital anchor of hope for the exiles in Babylon. While Judah faced devastation, God highlighted His future restoration not based on a renewed political kingdom as they knew it, but a spiritual and universal one. The imagery of the "tender twig" (אֶמָּא הָ רַ ךְ, ’ammāh hā-rāḵ) in Ezekiel 17:22 foreshadows the humble, often unexpected, beginnings of the Messiah's ministry. Christ came not as a towering king in worldly splendor, but as a Nazarene from an obscure family. This verse sets the stage for God's redemption story, where His work, from seemingly small and despised origins, grows into something majestically encompassing and eternally secure, perfectly illustrated by the fulfillment of the Gentile church. It underscores divine sovereignty over historical outcomes, ensuring that God's plans for humanity's salvation would culminate in an all-encompassing spiritual realm that offers peace and security to all who come to it.

Ezekiel 17 23 Commentary

Ezekiel 17:23 is a vibrant illustration of the future Messianic Kingdom. Amidst the immediate backdrop of Judah's national collapse due to the failed reign of King Zedekiah, God shifts focus to His own glorious design. This verse assures that from the seemingly desolate stump of David's line (implied from the broader prophecy), God will raise a tender twig—the Messiah—planting Him in Jerusalem (Mount Zion), the very heart of His covenant with Israel. This divinely planted seed will not just survive, but will burgeon into a magnificent cedar, symbolizing immense strength, beauty, and dominion, vastly surpassing any earthly kingdom. The sprawling boughs signify the widespread reach of His reign, while the abundant fruit speaks to the life and spiritual sustenance His kingdom provides. Critically, the "all fowl of every wing" finding refuge in its shadow emphasizes the profound universality of this kingdom: it will draw people from all nations, offering them ultimate protection, peace, and nourishment. This prophecy encapsulates the promise of God’s unbreakable covenant and the global, inclusive nature of His final, righteous reign, giving profound hope to the exiled.