Ezekiel 17 5

Ezekiel 17:5 kjv

He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed it by great waters, and set it as a willow tree.

Ezekiel 17:5 nkjv

Then he took some of the seed of the land And planted it in a fertile field; He placed it by abundant waters And set it like a willow tree.

Ezekiel 17:5 niv

"?'He took one of the seedlings of the land and put it in fertile soil. He planted it like a willow by abundant water,

Ezekiel 17:5 esv

Then he took of the seed of the land and planted it in fertile soil. He placed it beside abundant waters. He set it like a willow twig,

Ezekiel 17:5 nlt

He also took a seedling from the land
and planted it in fertile soil.
He placed it beside a broad river,
where it could grow like a willow tree.

Ezekiel 17 verses

Ezekiel 17 5 Meaning

Ezekiel 17:5 describes the actions of the first great eagle (representing Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon), after he had taken away the chief part of Judah's royalty and leadership. He took a remaining seed, symbolic of Zedekiah (formerly Mattaniah), and placed him as a vassal king in the land of Judah. The "fertile soil" and "abundant waters" signify the potential for prosperity and stability granted by Babylon, as long as the covenant of loyalty was upheld. The depiction of the seed being set "as a willow tree" portrays the new kingdom as one dependent and pliable, flourishing only under the patronage of the foreign power, unlike the majestic cedar it was intended to be.

Ezekiel 17 5 Context

Ezekiel chapter 17 presents an intricate allegory known as the parable of the two eagles and the vine. This prophetic oracle was delivered by Ezekiel to the Judean exiles in Babylon. It served to explain the current political turmoil in Judah, particularly the Babylonian conquest, the exile of King Jehoiachin, and the establishment of Zedekiah as a vassal king. Verse 5 is an integral part of this allegory, illustrating the actions of the first "great eagle" (Nebuchadnezzar) after he had taken the highest branch of the cedar (Jehoiachin and the nobility). Historically, it directly refers to Nebuchadnezzar's installation of Zedekiah on the throne of Judah in Jerusalem around 597 BC, with the explicit understanding that Judah would remain a subservient kingdom, flourishing only through loyal obedience to Babylon. The subsequent verses describe Zedekiah's breaking of this oath and seeking alliance with the second great eagle (Pharaoh of Egypt), which eventually led to Judah's complete downfall.

Ezekiel 17 5 Word analysis

• He also took: This refers to the "great eagle," specifically King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (Ez 17:3). His actions are sovereign, not just geopolitical, but ordained by God, demonstrating divine control over world leaders.
• some of the seed: Hebrew: miz-zeraʿ (מִזֶּרַע). "Seed" here metaphorically refers to a descendant, offspring, or scion. In context, it refers to Zedekiah, who was part of the royal lineage but was a "lesser" scion compared to Jehoiachin whom Nebuchadnezzar had already taken. This highlights Zedekiah's diminished status from the outset.
• of the land: Hebrew: hāʾāreṣ (הָאָרֶץ). Refers to the land of Judah. The seed was from its native soil, implying a king from within their own royal family, but installed by a foreign power.
• and planted it: Hebrew: wayyiṭṭaʿēhū (וַיִּטַּעֵהוּ). Literally "and he planted it." This emphasizes the active role of the great eagle (Babylon) in establishing this new ruler, making it clear that Zedekiah's authority was derivative and not self-initiated or divinely bestowed directly upon him for absolute kingship.
• in fertile soil: Hebrew: śedēh zā́raʿ (שְׂדֵה זָרַע). Literally "field of sowing" or "sown field." This implies ground capable of yielding produce, suggesting favorable conditions for the vassal kingdom to prosper economically and maintain a semblance of national life, provided they adhered to the terms.
• He placed it beside abundant waters: Hebrew: ʿal mayim rabbīm (עַל מַיִם רַבִּים). "Abundant waters" often symbolize blessing, prosperity, or strong support in biblical imagery (e.g., Ps 1:3). Here, these "waters" represent the powerful backing and resources provided by the Babylonian empire, ensuring the stability and potential flourishing of the vassal state, as long as it remained loyal.
• and set it as a willow tree: Hebrew: kəṣap̄ṣāp̄āh (כְּצַפְצָפָה). The word "willow" (Populus euphratica, a type of poplar or willow). The willow is known for rapid growth, a preference for moist environments, and its pliable, less sturdy wood compared to a cedar. It symbolizes dependence on its water source, flexibility, and a lack of the inherent majesty or strength associated with more noble trees. This subtly indicates the subservient, adaptable, and weak nature of the kingdom under Zedekiah, contingent on external support.

Ezekiel 17 5 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "planted" (wayyiṭṭaʿēhū) also carries the nuance of "settling" or "establishing." This goes beyond merely putting a seed in the ground; it denotes the authoritative act of establishing a dynasty or a kingdom. This arrangement by Nebuchadnezzar (the "planting") was intended to be an oath-bound vassal covenant, not a purely beneficent act. The "abundant waters" also hint at the presence of Babylon's military might and political influence, which provided the security and framework for Judah to operate within its constrained sovereignty. This entire setup served as a divine test for Zedekiah and Judah, to see if they would humble themselves and remain loyal, not only to Babylon but ultimately to the Lord's chosen instrument of judgment. The repeated use of plant imagery (cedar, vine, willow) throughout Ezekiel 17 highlights Judah's past glory, current humbled state, and future restoration (Ez 17:22-24) under God's true "planting."

Ezekiel 17 5 Commentary

Ezekiel 17:5 forms a pivotal moment in the intricate allegory of the two eagles and the vine. Following the removal of Judah's true crown (King Jehoiachin) by Nebuchadnezzar (the first great eagle), this verse describes the establishment of Zedekiah as a puppet king. The "seed of the land" signifies Zedekiah, chosen from the Davidic line, yet explicitly by foreign dictate. His "planting in fertile soil" and "beside abundant waters" portrays the initial state of affairs: Judah under Zedekiah was given conditions suitable for stability and growth, granted by Babylonian suzerainty. This arrangement was not designed for desolation but for controlled prosperity, contingent on loyalty. However, the crucial descriptor "as a willow tree" reveals the true nature of this arrangement. Unlike the strong cedars that Judah might have once been or aspired to be (as symbolized in Ez 17:3), the willow symbolizes pliability, dependence on external sustenance (Babylonian favor), and a lack of intrinsic strength. It underscores that this kingdom's very existence and well-being were entirely subject to the dominant power. The prophetic emphasis is not just on the geopolitical reality but also on God's divine orchestrating hand, as He uses foreign kings to judge His people while still offering them a path to avoid complete destruction, if they only honored the terms (covenant, even a political one). The subsequent narrative demonstrates Judah's tragic failure to maintain this precarious position, leading to ultimate ruin.