Ezekiel 17 7

Ezekiel 17:7 kjv

There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.

Ezekiel 17:7 nkjv

"But there was another great eagle with large wings and many feathers; And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him, And stretched its branches toward him, From the garden terrace where it had been planted, That he might water it.

Ezekiel 17:7 niv

"?'But there was another great eagle with powerful wings and full plumage. The vine now sent out its roots toward him from the plot where it was planted and stretched out its branches to him for water.

Ezekiel 17:7 esv

"And there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage, and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him and shot forth its branches toward him from the bed where it was planted, that he might water it.

Ezekiel 17:7 nlt

But then another great eagle came
with broad wings and full plumage.
So the vine now sent its roots and branches
toward him for water,

Ezekiel 17 verses

Ezekiel 17 7 Meaning

Ezekiel 17:7 is a significant part of a parable concerning the two eagles and the vine. This verse specifically describes the action of Judah's king, Zedekiah, turning away from his covenant obligations to Babylon and seeking military and political aid from Egypt. The "another great eagle" represents Pharaoh Hophra of Egypt, perceived as a powerful ally, and the "vine" represents the kingdom of Judah, which, through Zedekiah's actions, "bent her roots" and "shot forth her branches" towards Egypt, desiring its support to secure its existence against Babylon's dominion. This action signifies a deep reliance and desperate plea for external "watering" or sustenance.

Ezekiel 17 7 Context

Ezekiel chapter 17 is presented as an intricate riddle, or parable (mashal in Hebrew), depicting Judah's political turmoil and ultimate rebellion against the Lord's decreed path. The initial part of the parable describes the first great eagle as King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who removed the "topmost of its young twigs" (King Jehoiachin) and planted a new "vine" (Zedekiah's kingdom) in Judah, expecting loyalty.

This verse (Ezek 17:7) introduces "another great eagle," which explicitly symbolizes Pharaoh Hophra of Egypt. Historically, after the Babylonian exile of Jehoiachin in 597 BC, Nebuchadnezzar placed Zedekiah on the throne in Jerusalem. Zedekiah, as a vassal king, had sworn an oath of allegiance to Babylon. However, in an act of profound disloyalty and desperation, he disregarded this oath and sought to throw off Babylon's yoke by forging an alliance with Egypt, a formidable regional power and traditional rival of Babylon. This action was against the divine will that Judah should submit to Babylon, an instrument of God's judgment, as conveyed through prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel himself. The verse graphically portrays this desperate shift in allegiance, highlighting Judah's futile trust in human strength over divine guidance.

Ezekiel 17 7 Word analysis

• "There was also another great eagle":

  • "another": Hebrew ʾaḥēr (אַחֵר). Distinguishes this eagle from the first one in Ezek 17:3 (Babylon). It immediately signals a shift in Judah's attention to a different major power.
  • "great eagle": Hebrew nesher gādōl (נֶשֶׁר גָּדוֹל). The eagle is a symbol of powerful imperial kingdoms and conquering armies, known for speed, predatory nature, and high-soaring flight. Here, it refers to Egypt, particularly Pharaoh Hophra, representing a vast, perceived protective and militarily capable nation. This description emphasizes Egypt's impressive military and political might.

• "with great wings and many feathers":

  • Symbolizes extensive reach, widespread influence, and abundant resources or a multitude of allies and military forces. Egypt's formidable power is underlined, making it seem like a strong potential deliverer.

• "and behold, this vine":

  • "behold": Hebrew hinnēh (הִנֵּה). This interjection draws urgent attention to the action that follows, often indicating something surprising, lamentable, or significant.
  • "this vine": Hebrew haggěfen hazzōʾt (הַגֶּפֶן הַזֹּאת). Directly refers to Judah, or more specifically, King Zedekiah and his kingdom. The vine had been "planted" by the first eagle (Babylon), meaning Judah was placed under Babylonian vassalage. This makes its subsequent action of turning to another power a clear act of disloyalty and rebellion.

• "did bend her roots toward him":

  • "bend her roots": Hebrew kāphaf shārāshāv (כָּפַף שָׁרָשָׁיו). A powerful metaphor. Roots signify the fundamental support, reliance, and source of nourishment. To "bend roots" towards another implies a profound reorientation of allegiance, a seeking of deep-seated security, and a change in fundamental political and military dependence. It indicates Judah's inner decision to abandon its commitment to Babylon and seek a new foundation.

• "and shot forth her branches toward him":

  • "shot forth her branches": Hebrew waṯěšallaḥ dalîyōthāw (וַתְּשַׁלַּח דָּלִיּוֹתָיו). Branches represent outward manifestations, open communications, and active overtures. This phrase signifies concrete political actions, such as sending emissaries, forging treaties, or requesting military assistance from Egypt. It complements "bending roots," showing that the internal desire for alliance led to external efforts.

• "that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation":

  • "that he might water it": Hebrew lěhašqōṯô (לְהַשְׁקֹתֹו). To "water" signifies providing nourishment, sustenance, support, and strength—in this context, military, economic, or political aid. Judah sought Egypt's intervention to strengthen itself.
  • "by the furrows of her plantation": Hebrew bətāʿalūmmê maṭṭāʿeyhā (בְּתַעֲלֻמֵי מַטָּעֶיהָ). "Furrows" or channels refer to the proper, intended source of watering for a plant. "Her plantation" refers to the land of Judah, specifically where it had been placed under Babylonian rule. The imagery implies that Judah sought a different source of "watering" (help) within its own land that defied the original "planting" (Babylonian overlordship). It underlines the paradox of seeking help from a different master in a field already owned and managed by another. This action was aimed at preserving its current status and land, but by illicit means.

Words-group analysis:

• "another great eagle... with great wings and many feathers": This phrase vividly portrays Egypt as a significant and formidable power, offering an enticing but ultimately treacherous alternative to Babylonian sovereignty. The grandeur described highlights Judah's desperate appeal to a perceived rescuer.
• "this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him": This combined imagery showcases Judah's dual action of deep, internal political realignment ("bend her roots") followed by decisive, overt external diplomatic maneuvers ("shot forth her branches"). It emphasizes Zedekiah's proactive and intentional turning away from his covenant oath with Babylon to seek Egyptian intervention. This reflects a fundamental distrust in God's providence and reliance on human strategic alliances.

Ezekiel 17 7 Bonus section

• The imagery of the vine, a common biblical motif for Israel (Isa 5:1-7, Ps 80:8-19, Jn 15:1), deepens the spiritual indictment of Judah's disloyalty. God's chosen people, instead of yielding to His design (even through instruments of judgment), actively sought ungodly alliances.
• This verse directly sets the stage for the severe judgment detailed in later verses of Ezekiel 17 (esp. 15-21), where God explicitly condemns Zedekiah's contempt for the oath and covenant, ensuring his downfall. It emphasizes that political actions are not outside the purview of God's moral governance and covenant faithfulness.
• The phrase "furrows of her plantation" underscores the idea that Judah's destiny and location were divinely appointed, and to seek watering from an outside source was to try and circumvent the sovereign plan laid out within that appointed context.

Ezekiel 17 7 Commentary

Ezekiel 17:7 lays bare the pivotal moment of Zedekiah's political rebellion, allegorically presented as the vine (Judah) turning its deepest dependency (roots) and outward efforts (branches) toward the "other great eagle" (Egypt) for sustenance and protection. Despite having been "planted" and sustained by the first eagle (Babylon, representing God's appointed instrument for discipline), Zedekiah foolishly chose to violate his sworn allegiance. This act of seeking "watering" from Egypt was not only a breach of international vassal treaty but, more importantly, a direct defiance of God's revealed will that Judah should submit to Babylonian authority. It exemplifies a profound lack of trust in God, preferring the uncertain strength of human alliances to divine instruction. The prophet underscores the futility and treacherous nature of this alliance, which would inevitably lead to further devastation for Judah, highlighting God's abhorrence for broken covenants and misplaced trust.