Ezekiel 31:10 kjv
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;
Ezekiel 31:10 nkjv
"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: 'Because you have increased in height, and it set its top among the thick boughs, and its heart was lifted up in its height,
Ezekiel 31:10 niv
"?'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because the great cedar towered over the thick foliage, and because it was proud of its height,
Ezekiel 31:10 esv
"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because it towered high and set its top among the clouds, and its heart was proud of its height,
Ezekiel 31:10 nlt
"Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because Egypt became proud and arrogant, and because it set itself so high above the others, with its top reaching to the clouds,
Ezekiel 31 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezek 31:3 | Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon... | Parallel description of pride/fall |
| Ezek 31:11 | Therefore I will deliver him into the hand of the mighty one of the nations... | Divine judgment against pride |
| Ezek 31:14 | To the end that no tree by the waters may grow erect in its exaltation... | Purpose of humbling the proud |
| Ezek 31:18 | To whom are you thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden?... | Comparison with Edenic trees, emphasizing fall |
| Isa 14:13 | You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God... | Similar prophetic pronouncement on pride |
| Isa 47:8 | Therefore hear now this, you delicate woman who sits carefree... | Judgment on a proud nation |
| Jer 50:32 | “And the proud one shall stumble and fall, with no one to lift him up.” | Consequences of pride |
| Dan 4:22 | ... and that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whom... | God’s sovereignty over earthly kingdoms |
| Dan 5:20 | But when his heart became proud and his spirit hardened with arrogance... | Pride leading to downfall |
| Rev 18:2 | “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for... | Judgment on another proud empire |
| Prov 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. | General principle of pride and downfall |
| Prov 29:1 | Whoever is often rebuked and remains stubborn will be suddenly destroyed... | Stubbornness and sudden destruction |
| Matt 23:12 | Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. | Jesus' teaching on humility and exaltation |
| Luke 14:11 | For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. | Repeated teaching on humility and exaltation |
| Luke 18:14 | I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted. | Parable illustrating the principle |
| 1 Pet 5:5 | Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves all of you with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” | God’s opposition to the proud |
| 1 John 2:16 | For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. | The pride of life as worldly |
| Ps 10:4 | They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good. | God’s hatred for the proud and wicked |
| Ps 75:4-5 | I say to the proud, “Do not deal proudly,” and to the wicked, “Do not lift up your horn; do not lift up your horn on high, do not speak with stubborn neck.” | Command against proud speech and actions |
| Ezek 28:17 | Your heart became proud on account of your beauty... | Similar pride described in the king of Tyre |
| Zech 11:2 | Woe to the inhabitants of Lebanon... | Prophecy against Lebanon |
Ezekiel 31 verses
Ezekiel 31 10 Meaning
This verse describes the fate of the king of Egypt, depicted as a powerful cedar tree in Lebanon. Because of his great pride and exaltation, he will be cut down and cast out. His fallen leaves will be scattered, and his broken branches will lie on the mountains. The result is that all who live in the wilderness will come and lodge among his fallen pieces, and birds of the sky will nest in his branches. Ultimately, his grandeur will be brought to nothing.
Ezekiel 31 10 Context
This verse is part of Ezekiel chapter 31, a prophecy against Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Ezekiel is using the metaphor of a grand cedar tree in Lebanon to describe Pharaoh's immense power, pride, and influence. The preceding verses detail how Pharaoh’s nation, like this tree, was flourishing and envied. However, because of his arrogant self-exaltation and his imitation of other proud nations (particularly Assyria), God has determined to bring him down. This chapter vividly portrays God’s judgment against pride and His ultimate control over all earthly kingdoms. The fall of this great "cedar" serves as a warning and a lesson to all nations about the consequences of arrogance.
Ezekiel 31 10 Word Analysis
- And: (Hebrew: וְ - və) - A conjunctive particle used to link words, clauses, or sentences, indicating continuation, addition, or consequence.
- it: (Hebrew: הִנֵּה - hinneh) - An interjection expressing attention or introducing a statement, meaning "Behold" or "Lo." Here, it emphasizes the announcement of what is to come.
- shall be brought down: (Hebrew: הוּרַד - hūrad) - Passive form of the verb "to bring down" or "to lower." Indicates a forced descent from a high position.
- its: (Hebrew: וְאֵתוֹ - wə’ētô) - Possessive pronoun, referring back to the tree (Pharaoh).
- pride: (Hebrew: גֵאוּת - gē’ūth) - Noun signifying arrogance, haughtiness, loftiness, or excessive self-esteem.
- lifted: (Hebrew: רוּם - rūm) - Verb meaning to be high, exalted, uplifted. The noun here describes the state of being raised up or lifted high.
- the: (Hebrew: הַ - ha) - Definite article.
- in the: (Hebrew: בִּ; bi) - Preposition meaning "in," "at," or "with."
- nations: (Hebrew: גּוֹיִם - gôyîm) - Plural noun referring to nations, peoples, or Gentiles.
- and: (Hebrew: וְ - və) - Conjunctive particle.
- I will deliver: (Hebrew: נָתַתִּי - nāṯatti) - First-person singular perfect form of the verb "to give" or "to deliver."
- him: (Hebrew: אוֹתוֹ - ’ōṯô) - Masculine singular object pronoun, referring to Pharaoh.
- into: (Hebrew: בְּ - bə) - Preposition meaning "into" or "in."
- the: (Hebrew: יַד - yaḏ) - Noun meaning "hand." Often used to denote power, control, or agency.
- hand: (Hebrew: הַ - ha) - Definite article.
- of: (Hebrew: מְפַרְקִים - məparqîm) - This word is difficult and its precise meaning is debated among scholars. It can be interpreted as "the dismantlers," "the destroyers," "the desolators," or perhaps related to breaking or splitting apart. It emphasizes agents of severe destruction.
- mighty: (Hebrew: עַזִּים - ‘azzîm) - Adjective meaning strong, powerful, mighty, fierce.
- the: (Hebrew: לְאֻמִּים - lə’ummîm) - Plural noun for nations, peoples, or clans, often translated as "peoples" or "heathen."
- of: (Hebrew: הָאָרֶץ - hā’āreṣ) - Hebrew preposition "of" or "belonging to."
- nations: (Hebrew: מְפַרְקֵי - məparqê) - Used here in conjunction with "mighty of the nations" forming a formidable collective noun phrase. The structure "hand of the mighty ones of the nations" signifies the most powerful and destructive external forces.
Group Analysis:
- "its pride was lifted up": This phrase encapsulates the core reason for the impending judgment. Pharaoh’s elevated status and achievements had fostered extreme arrogance.
- "the hand of the mighty ones of the nations": This identifies the agents of God’s judgment – powerful rulers or nations whom God would use to bring down Pharaoh, demonstrating His ultimate authority over all earthly powers.
- "deliver him into the hand of": This idiom signifies complete subjugation and control by a more powerful entity, highlighting the inevitability of Pharaoh’s fall.
Ezekiel 31 10 Bonus Section
The metaphor of a mighty tree, especially a cedar of Lebanon, was potent for the ancient Israelites. Lebanon was renowned for its towering and strong cedars, which were used in construction and represented strength, stability, and majesty. Pharaoh, through his vast empire, influence, and military might, presented a similar image of an unshakeable, powerful entity. However, Ezekiel’s prophecy directly counters this by revealing that this "tree" is not truly secure because its foundation is marred by pride. This theme of the downfall of the proud is echoed throughout Scripture, often involving nations or kings who perceived themselves as self-sufficient or above divine authority. The concept that God "delivers" a proud leader into the "hand" of another powerful force is a recurring motif illustrating God’s retributive justice against hubris.
Ezekiel 31 10 Commentary
Pharaoh's excessive pride, symbolized by his exalted stature among trees, becomes the very reason for his downfall. God, the ultimate sovereign, declares His intention to hand him over to the most powerful and destructive of the surrounding nations. This action is not arbitrary but a consequence of Pharaoh's arrogance and his reaching beyond his divinely appointed limits. The use of the term "mighty ones of the nations" emphasizes that even the strongest human powers are instruments in God’s hands, subject to His will. The prophecy assures that no tree, however grand, can ultimately stand against God’s decree.