Ezekiel 19 11

Ezekiel 19:11 kjv

And she had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bare rule, and her stature was exalted among the thick branches, and she appeared in her height with the multitude of her branches.

Ezekiel 19:11 nkjv

She had strong branches for scepters of rulers. She towered in stature above the thick branches, And was seen in her height amid the dense foliage.

Ezekiel 19:11 niv

Its branches were strong, fit for a ruler's scepter. It towered high above the thick foliage, conspicuous for its height and for its many branches.

Ezekiel 19:11 esv

Its strong stems became rulers' scepters; it towered aloft among the thick boughs; it was seen in its height with the mass of its branches.

Ezekiel 19:11 nlt

Its branches became strong ?
strong enough to be a ruler's scepter.
It grew very tall,
towering above all others.
It stood out because of its height
and its many lush branches.

Ezekiel 19 verses

Ezekiel 19 11 Meaning

Ezekiel 19:11 vividly portrays the former glory and strength of the nation of Judah, personified as a mighty vine or tree. It highlights Judah's past prominence, robust monarchy, and extensive influence, depicting it as a nation that once stood tall and prosperous with powerful rulers, surrounded by flourishing abundance, before its eventual downfall. The verse serves as a mournful reminiscence of a bygone era of sovereignty and widespread flourishing.

Ezekiel 19 11 Context

Ezekiel 19 is a deeply moving lament (Hebrew: qinah) sung by the prophet Ezekiel, mourning the kings and kingdom of Judah. This chapter is divided into two distinct parables: the first (vv. 1-9) likens Judah to a lioness whose cubs (representing successive kings like Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, and Jehoiachin) are captured by foreign powers. The second parable (vv. 10-14) shifts the imagery to a powerful and flourishing vine, representing the nation of Judah itself, which once had the potential for greatness and stability but ultimately withered and was consumed by fire due to its failures. Verse 11 specifically recalls the initial glory and royal stature of this vine, prior to its tragic destruction. Historically, this lament reflects Judah's decline leading up to and during the Babylonian exiles, highlighting the period when its sovereign rule and national prosperity were undone by both internal failings and external pressures.

Ezekiel 19 11 Word analysis

• "Now she had": This phrase marks a transition, introducing a description of the past state of the vine (representing Judah). It highlights a former condition of abundance and power, setting a strong contrast with the desolate state that follows in the lament.

• "strong rods":

  • Original Hebrew: מַטּוֹת עֹז (mattot 'oz).
  • Mattot (מַטּוֹת) means "rods," "staves," or "branches," but also "tribes" when singular matteh.
  • 'Oz (עֹז) means "strength," "might," or "power."
  • Significance: These are not weak or ordinary branches. They are depicted as possessing inherent power and solidity, symbolizing robust governmental structure or military strength.

• "for scepters of rulers":

  • Original Hebrew: לְש שבטי מֹשלים (lᵉshivṭei moshalim).
  • Shivṭei (ש שבטי), plural of shevet, literally means "rod," "staff," or "tribe," but here unequivocally translates to "scepter," the recognized symbol of royal authority.
  • Moshalim (מֹשלים), plural of moshel, means "rulers," "governors," or "those who exercise dominion."
  • Significance: This phrase clearly denotes the royal authority and sovereignty of Judah. The strong rods are explicitly identified as the very instruments of kingship, indicating a period when Judah had legitimate and powerful kings wielding authority. It speaks of a stable and recognized line of monarchs.

• "and her stature was raised":

  • Original Hebrew: וַתִּגְדַּל קוֹמָה (vattigdal qomah).
  • Vattigdal (וַתִּגְדַּל) comes from the verb gadal (גָּדַל), "to grow great," "to become large."
  • Qomah (קוֹמָה) means "height" or "stature."
  • Significance: This describes Judah's growth into a tall, imposing, and significant entity, visually emphasizing its past prominence and elevated status among other nations. It signifies prosperity and development.

• "among the thick boughs":

  • Original Hebrew: בֵּין אֲבוֹת עֲנָפִים (bein avot 'anafeim).
  • Bein (בֵּין) means "between" or "among."
  • Avot (אֲבוֹת) means "thick" or "dense," referring to the density of the foliage.
  • 'Anafeim (עֲנָפִים), plural of 'anaf, means "branches" or "boughs."
  • Significance: This imagery suggests that Judah's growth and power were not isolated but thrived within an environment populated by other nations or internal divisions, indicating a lush, healthy, and vigorous state of flourishing, perhaps overshadowing its neighbors.

• "and she appeared in her height with many branches":

  • Original Hebrew: וַתֵּרָא בְגָבְהָהּ בְּרֹב דָּלִיּוֹת (vattera begavvah berov daluyyot).
  • Vattera (וַתֵּרָא) means "and she appeared" or "she was seen."
  • B'govhah (בְגָבְהָהּ) means "in her height" or "at her peak."
  • B'rov (בְּרֹב) means "in abundance" or "with many."
  • Daluyyot (דָּלִיּוֹת) means "branches" or "tendrils," specifically long, hanging, or extensive branches, sometimes used to describe grapevines.
  • Significance: This phrase reiterates the nation's visibility and impressive outward appearance, signifying its extensive reach, widespread influence, and overall grandeur during its most flourishing period. The "many branches" could refer to the growth of its population, its spreading influence, or its overall prosperity.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "strong rods for scepters of rulers": This powerful phrase captures the essence of Judah's former political authority and legitimacy. It portrays a robust, established monarchy, where leadership was potent and visibly wielded, distinguishing it from an anarcnic or impotent state. This image of legitimate power amplifies the tragedy of its eventual downfall.
  • "her stature was raised among the thick boughs; and she appeared in her height with many branches": These combined phrases create a vivid picture of a towering, flourishing, and extensively spreading nation. It speaks of a golden age where Judah's growth and visibility were immense, not just internally, but as a prominent entity within the geopolitical landscape, reaching a pinnacle of prosperity and influence that made it clearly seen and recognized.

Ezekiel 19 11 Bonus section

• The alternating use of "lioness" and "vine" metaphors in Ezekiel 19 allows the prophet to explore different dimensions of Judah's former strength and its subsequent tragedy. The lioness highlights ferocity and royalty, while the vine emphasizes growth, fruitfulness, and life, making the judgment of desolation all the more devastating when applied to such potential.
• This lament functions as a prophetic funeral hymn, spoken over a kingdom that, though still in existence, is prophetically seen as already lost due to its rebellion against God. The description of past glory amplifies the weight of its current and future demise, underlining the irreversibility of God's judgment once the covenant has been thoroughly broken.
• The emphasis on "strong rods" as "scepters of rulers" also subtly carries a critique. Such strength and authority imply a responsibility to rule justly and righteously. The ultimate destruction suggests that Judah's kings, despite having these strong scepters, failed to steward their God-given power and the nation's glorious potential in accordance with His will, thus forfeiting their rightful place.

Ezekiel 19 11 Commentary

Ezekiel 19:11 offers a poignant backward glance at Judah's former splendor before its calamitous decline. It forms part of a dirge, contrasting the nation's past vibrancy and kingly authority with its impending desolation. The imagery of "strong rods for scepters" firmly roots the lament in the reality of Judah's legitimate and powerful Davidic monarchy, a time when its kings exercised significant dominion. This was a period when the nation, like a mighty tree, was "raised in stature," becoming tall and prominent, even "among thick boughs"—suggesting its standing and growth among other nations or within its own numerous clans and cities. The "many branches" signify not just physical expansion but perhaps also a period of internal peace and prolific progeny or influence. The verse laments the irreversible loss of this sovereignty and flourishing, serving as a reminder of God's initial blessing upon Judah, highlighting what was squandered due to disobedience, ultimately setting the stage for the dramatic destruction described later in the prophecy.