Ezekiel 17 6

Ezekiel 17:6 kjv

And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.

Ezekiel 17:6 nkjv

And it grew and became a spreading vine of low stature; Its branches turned toward him, But its roots were under it. So it became a vine, Brought forth branches, And put forth shoots.

Ezekiel 17:6 niv

and it sprouted and became a low, spreading vine. Its branches turned toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and produced branches and put out leafy boughs.

Ezekiel 17:6 esv

and it sprouted and became a low spreading vine, and its branches turned toward him, and its roots remained where it stood. So it became a vine and produced branches and put out boughs.

Ezekiel 17:6 nlt

It took root there and
grew into a low, spreading vine.
Its branches turned up toward the eagle,
and its roots grew down into the ground.
It produced strong branches
and put out shoots.

Ezekiel 17 verses

Ezekiel 17 6 Meaning

Ezekiel 17:6 describes the status of the "choice vine" (representing Judah and its king, Zedekiah) after being transplanted by the great eagle (Nebuchadnezzar) from its high cedar origin. It illustrates a period of flourishing and secure, though humbled, existence as a vassal kingdom under Babylon. The verse depicts the vine growing successfully, with its branches and roots firmly anchored towards the imperial power that transplanted it, yielding new growth and foliage.

Ezekiel 17 6 Context

Ezekiel 17 presents a riddle, or allegory, concerning two great eagles and a vine. The first eagle represents Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, who came to Jerusalem (referred to as "Lebanon" in the riddle for its cedars). He took King Jehoiachin, nobles, and treasures to Babylon and replaced the king with Zedekiah, making him a vassal ruler. The riddle (Ezek 17:3-10) portrays Zedekiah as the "seed of the land" that the eagle took and planted by abundant waters.

Verse 6 specifically describes the immediate consequence of this "planting." It depicts Zedekiah's kingdom of Judah, not as it could have been in its former glory, but as a humbled entity under Babylonian suzerainty. This arrangement was intended to provide a period of stability and growth for Judah, provided Zedekiah remained loyal to his oath of allegiance to Babylon. The subsequent verses in Ezekiel 17 then explain Zedekiah's rebellion and the dire consequences. The historical backdrop is the turbulent period leading to the final destruction of Jerusalem (586 BC), marked by geopolitical maneuvering between Babylon and Egypt.

Ezekiel 17 6 Word analysis

• And it grew: (וַתִּצְמַח, va-tits-makh) From the root צָמַח (tsamakh), meaning to sprout, shoot forth, grow. This indicates initial success and vitality, suggesting the kingdom could have flourished under its new arrangement, even if it was in a diminished state.
• and became: (וַתְּהִי, va-t'hi) From הָיָה (hayah), meaning to be, become. It signifies a transformation into a defined state.
• a spreading vine: (לְגֶפֶן שֹׁרֶקֶת, le-gefen sho-req-eth)
  • גֶּפֶן (gefen): Vine, often representing Israel/Judah in scripture (e.g., Ps 80, Is 5). It denotes their inherent potential and identity.
  • שֹׁרֶקֶת (shoreqeth): From שֹׁרֵק (shoreq), a choice or noble vine (compare with Is 5:2 and Jer 2:21 where Israel is described as a "choice vine"). Here, it implies that even in its "low stature," Judah retained some of its noble, God-given identity and capacity for fruitfulness, though now dependent on its human sovereign.
• of low stature: (שִׁפְלַת קוֹמָה, shif-lat qo-mah)
  • שִׁפְלַת (shiflat): From שָׁפָל (shaphal), low, humble, abased. This is crucial. It directly describes Judah's humbled status as a vassal state, no longer fully independent or majestic like the great cedar.
  • קוֹמָה (qomah): Height, stature. The phrase emphasizes the reduction of its national glory and political standing. It denotes a position of subservience, intended by Nebuchadnezzar to prevent rebellion.
• whose branches turned toward him: (וּפָנֹת דָּלִיּוֹתָיו אֵלָיו, u-fa-not da-liy-yo-tav e-lav)
  • פָּנֹת (panot): From פָּנָה (panah), to turn, direct toward.
  • דָּלִיּוֹתָיו (daliyotav): Its branches (large, overarching ones). This imagery vividly portrays Judah's (Zedekiah's) political orientation and dependence. Their "branches" of power and influence were directed towards the first eagle (Babylon).
  • אֵלָיו (elav): Towards him (referring to the great eagle/Nebuchadnezzar). This signifies allegiance, dependence, and the source of its political life and stability under the vassalage.
• and his roots were under him: (וְשָׁרָשָׁיו תַּחְתָּיו, ve-sha-ra-shav tach-tav)
  • שָׁרָשָׁיו (sharahsav): Its roots. Roots signify foundation, source of nourishment, stability, and deep connection.
  • תַּחְתָּיו (tachtav): Under him (the eagle). This powerfully conveys that Judah's foundation, stability, and continued existence were directly dependent on Babylonian protection and authority. Its secure rooting was in its submission to its new overlord.
• so it became a vine: (וַתְּהִי לְגֶפֶן, va-t'hi le-gefen) A repetition emphasizing the established identity as a growing vine under these new conditions.
• and brought forth branches: (וַתַּעַשׂ בַּדִּים, va-ta'as ba-dim)
  • בַּדִּים (badim): Shoots, smaller branches. Indicates growth and expansion.
• and shot forth sprigs: (וַתְּשַׁלַּח פּארוֹת, va-t'shal-lach pe-arot)
  • פְּארוֹת (pe'arot): Sprouts, leaves, foliage. Indicates healthy and flourishing growth, filling out the vine.

Words-group analysis:

• "And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature": This phrase immediately sets the scene of Judah's transformed status. It emphasizes vitality and growth, but crucially, it highlights the humility ("low stature") forced upon them. It's not a description of desolation, but of a kingdom that could have thrived if it remained faithful to its new, limited position. The term "choice vine" underscores that despite the forced humility, the vine still possessed its inherent noble quality, meaning Judah still had the capacity to fulfill its purpose.
• "whose branches turned toward him, and his roots were under him": This parallel structure vividly illustrates absolute political and practical dependence. The branches symbolize active outreach and leadership, while the roots symbolize foundational security and sustenance. Both aspects were wholly oriented towards and dependent on the power that installed it, i.e., Babylon. This describes the ideal (from Nebuchadnezzar's perspective) state of vassalage, where loyalty secures the subject's welfare.

Ezekiel 17 6 Bonus section

The metaphor of the vine in this verse serves as a crucial bridge between God's prior covenant with Israel, where they were depicted as His cherished vineyard (Is 5:1-7, Jer 2:21), and the future Messianic promise. Though Zedekiah's kingdom is described as a "low stature" vine because of its vassalage, it retains the description of a "choice vine" (shoreqeth), echoing its divine origin and potential. This subtly hints that despite Israel's failures and abasement, God's ultimate purpose for His "vine" had not ceased. This humble, flourishing period serves as a sharp contrast to the immediate future destruction Zedekiah's actions bring. It underscores that the suffering and judgment were consequences of disobedience, not arbitrary divine malice. This portrayal also implicitly highlights that even earthly rulers, like Nebuchadnezzar, were instruments in God's sovereign plan, establishing a new reality that, for a time, was stable for Judah.

Ezekiel 17 6 Commentary

Ezekiel 17:6 masterfully describes the initial conditions of King Zedekiah's reign under Babylonian suzerainty. The image of the "spreading vine of low stature" encapsulates the dual reality: on one hand, it denotes a state of profound political humility and diminished national glory, far removed from the grandeur of an independent kingdom represented by the "topmost of the young twigs" taken by the first eagle (Jehoiachin's kingdom). Yet, simultaneously, it conveys an underlying vitality and potential for sustained growth. The "spreading" nature and the production of "branches" and "sprigs" suggest that this state of humble submission was not one of utter destruction but rather a fertile environment where Judah could have recovered and stabilized.

The turning of branches and the rooting "towards" or "under" the first eagle (Nebuchadnezzar) underscore the divinely intended (as proclaimed by Jeremiah) path of dependence and allegiance to Babylon. God had given power to Nebuchadnezzar, and submitting to this power, even as a vassal, was the only way for Judah to survive and prosper in this new reality. The verse depicts this phase as a viable and indeed thriving state for the vine. The tragedy, detailed in the verses that follow, is not that this arrangement was inherently detrimental, but that the vine (Zedekiah) chose to rebel against this secure if humble, position by seeking an unholy alliance with another "great eagle" (Egypt), thus breaking the solemn covenant. This act of disloyalty led to its ultimate uprooting and demise.

The verse, therefore, highlights the often-unacknowledged potential within humbling circumstances and emphasizes the critical importance of faithfulness to solemn oaths, even when they are not to one's preferred master. For individuals, this can be applied to situations of brokenness or diminished status where remaining faithful to God and legitimate authorities, rather than seeking illicit external solutions, is the pathway to true, albeit humble, flourishing.