Ezekiel 17 8

Ezekiel 17:8 kjv

It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.

Ezekiel 17:8 nkjv

It was planted in good soil by many waters, To bring forth branches, bear fruit, And become a majestic vine." '

Ezekiel 17:8 niv

It had been planted in good soil by abundant water so that it would produce branches, bear fruit and become a splendid vine.'

Ezekiel 17:8 esv

It had been planted on good soil by abundant waters, that it might produce branches and bear fruit and become a noble vine.

Ezekiel 17:8 nlt

even though it was already planted in good soil
and had plenty of water
so it could grow into a splendid vine
and produce rich leaves and luscious fruit.

Ezekiel 17 verses

Ezekiel 17 8 Meaning

Ezekiel 17:8 describes the initial ideal conditions and intended flourishing of the vine, which represents the kingdom of Judah under King Zedekiah after its transplantation by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar (the first great eagle). The verse illustrates the divine intention for Judah to thrive and become a "goodly vine" through faithful submission and abiding in the circumstances God allowed, which offered a pathway to stability and prosperity despite captivity. It highlights the potential for the vine to bear abundant fruit and become stately if it adhered to the covenant established.

Ezekiel 17 8 Context

Ezekiel chapter 17 presents an intricate parable of two great eagles, a great cedar, and a vine, followed by its interpretation. This oracle serves to illustrate Judah's political situation during the Babylonian exile. The first eagle represents King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who removed King Jehoiachin (the topmost branch of the cedar) and the nobles from Jerusalem and transplanted Judah's kingdom. King Zedekiah was then placed on the throne as a vassal king. Ezekiel 17:8 specifically describes the potential for this "vine" (Zedekiah and the remaining kingdom of Judah) to prosper and flourish under the established conditions of Babylonian suzerainty, providing a hopeful and secure environment as long as Zedekiah maintained loyalty to his oath. This ideal scenario, however, is juxtaposed with the reality of Zedekiah's rebellion and broken oath, setting the stage for divine judgment outlined later in the chapter.

Ezekiel 17 8 Word analysis

• It was planted: The Hebrew word is naṭaʿ (נָטַע), meaning to plant, firmly set, establish. This signifies a deliberate act by the "great eagle" (Nebuchadnezzar), which, in a larger biblical sense, reflects God's sovereign arrangement of nations and judgment. It implies a new beginning, a transplanting into a new environment.

• in a good soil: The Hebrew śāḏeh ṭōwḇ (שָׂדֶה טוֹב) refers to fertile, excellent ground. This symbolizes a conducive environment provided for the vine's growth, signifying favorable conditions under Babylonian rule if the oath of loyalty were kept. It was a suitable place for the remnant of Judah to find stability and regain strength.

• by great waters: The Hebrew mayim rabbîm (מַיִם רַבִּים) means abundant water. In agricultural terms, this signifies consistent and ample nourishment, essential for vigorous growth. Spiritually, abundant water is often a metaphor for blessing, life, or divine provision. In this context, it refers to the stability and resources available to Judah under the Babylonian-imposed order, which offered sustenance to the weakened kingdom.

• that it might bring forth branches: The Hebrew is nāśāʾ baddîm (נָשָׂא בַּדִּים), meaning to lift up branches or shoots. This speaks of vigorous, expansive growth, spreading outward, indicating the recovery and proliferation of the population and the strength of the kingdom.

• and that it might bear fruit: The Hebrew ʿāśāh pĕrî (עָשָׂה פְּרִי) signifies producing an abundant yield, results, or outcomes. For a vine, this is its ultimate purpose. In the context of Judah, it implies national well-being, prosperity, and perhaps even spiritual flourishing through obedience.

• that it might be a goodly vine: The Hebrew gep̱en nēʾūwâ (גֶּפֶן נֵאוּה) refers to a magnificent, beautiful, stately vine. This phrase encapsulates the ultimate goal and ideal state for the planted vine. It denotes a vine fulfilling its potential to the fullest, reaching a state of aesthetic appeal and productive splendor. This indicates Judah’s potential to regain its beauty and stature if it submitted to God's ordained path.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "It was planted in a good soil by great waters": This phrase describes the optimal and well-resourced environment prepared for the transplanted vine. It underscores that God, through the instrument of Babylon, had provided conditions conducive to Judah's recovery and flourishing, contrary to their initial state of devastation. This highlights God's sovereign hand in establishing circumstances for a new beginning.
  • "that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine": This climactic sequence of clauses delineates the specific purposes and ideal outcomes of the vine's new planting. It expresses a teleological purpose—the vine was planted for the purpose of growth, productivity, and ultimately, a magnificent existence. This stands as a poignant reminder of Judah's unfulfilled potential due to their disobedience.

Ezekiel 17 8 Bonus section

The "goodly vine" described here, gep̱en nēʾūwâ, carries connotations of aesthetic beauty and intrinsic value, aligning with God's original intention for Israel to be a holy nation and a peculiar treasure to Him (Exo 19:5-6). The ideal presented in this verse contrasts sharply with Israel's historical trajectory, where often instead of yielding good fruit, it produced wild, bitter grapes (Isa 5:2-4; Jer 2:21). The choice to call it a "goodly vine" underscores the opportunity given to Zedekiah's kingdom. It suggests that even in a subdued state, by aligning with God's will—even through the agency of Babylon—Israel could have experienced a measure of blessing and peace. Their failure to maintain this state resulted in total ruin, emphasizing the gravity of broken covenant. The concept also hints at the future Messiah, the righteous branch who alone truly embodies the "goodly vine" that bears perfect fruit.

Ezekiel 17 8 Commentary

Ezekiel 17:8 encapsulates the benevolent intent and the potential prosperity designed for the kingdom of Judah after its transplantation by Nebuchadnezzar. The image of a vine planted in ideal conditions—fertile soil and abundant water—symbolizes the new arrangement God had orchestrated for Judah. It offered stability and an opportunity for restoration, even under foreign rule, provided the people and their king Zedekiah remained faithful to the covenant God ordained through the oath to Babylon. The emphasis is on Judah's capacity to thrive ("bring forth branches, bear fruit, be a goodly vine"), implying physical flourishing, a return to national strength, and the spiritual well-being promised in covenant obedience. However, this verse serves as a dramatic setup, for the very next verses detail Zedekiah's breaking of this oath by seeking help from another "great eagle" (Egypt), thus demonstrating a tragic failure to embrace the divine provision and obey God's will. It vividly portrays God's provision for life and fruitfulness even in corrective judgment, contrasting with Israel’s choice for rebellious decay. The true "goodly vine" awaited its ultimate manifestation in Christ (John 15:1-5).