Ezekiel 31 14

Ezekiel 31:14 kjv

To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water: for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit.

Ezekiel 31:14 nkjv

'So that no trees by the waters may ever again exalt themselves for their height, nor set their tops among the thick boughs, that no tree which drinks water may ever be high enough to reach up to them. 'For they have all been delivered to death, To the depths of the earth, Among the children of men who go down to the Pit.'

Ezekiel 31:14 niv

Therefore no other trees by the waters are ever to tower proudly on high, lifting their tops above the thick foliage. No other trees so well-watered are ever to reach such a height; they are all destined for death, for the earth below, among mortals who go down to the realm of the dead.

Ezekiel 31:14 esv

All this is in order that no trees by the waters may grow to towering height or set their tops among the clouds, and that no trees that drink water may reach up to them in height. For they are all given over to death, to the world below, among the children of man, with those who go down to the pit.

Ezekiel 31:14 nlt

Let the tree of no other nation
proudly exult in its own prosperity,
though it be higher than the clouds
and it be watered from the depths.
For all are doomed to die,
to go down to the depths of the earth.
They will land in the pit
along with everyone else on earth.

Ezekiel 31 verses

Ezekiel 31 14 meaning

Ezekiel 31:14 serves as the profound conclusion to the parable of Pharaoh as a majestic cedar, which God has cut down due to its exceeding height and pride. The verse declares a universal principle and divine purpose: that no other powerful nation or leader ("tree by the waters") should exalt itself or become arrogant on account of its strength, stature, or abundant resources. It unequivocally states that all such exalted entities are ultimately "delivered unto death," consigned to Sheol, the common grave for humanity, irrespective of their former glory, alongside all others who descend to the pit. This verse emphasizes God's sovereign power to humble the proud, demonstrating the transience of all earthly glory and the inevitable fate of death awaiting every human, even the mightiest rulers.

Ezekiel 31 14 Context

Ezekiel chapter 31 forms part of Ezekiel's prophetic messages concerning foreign nations, specifically targeting Egypt. The preceding verses (Ezek 31:1-13) portray Pharaoh and Egypt as a magnificent, lofty cedar in Lebanon, surpassing all other trees in its beauty and extensive shade, nurtured by abundant waters and envied by the "trees of Eden." This tree symbolizes immense power, prosperity, and dominance, but also pride. God, however, declares His decision to cut down this mighty tree, describing its fall and the subsequent scattering of its branches, illustrating the inevitable judgment and downfall of Egypt at the hands of Babylon. Verse 14, therefore, serves as the overarching theological statement and universal warning derived from this specific judgment on Pharaoh. It extends the lesson beyond Egypt, asserting that all similarly proud, powerful, and self-exalting entities will share the same fate of humiliation and death, thus underscoring God's ultimate sovereignty over all earthly powers and challenging the pagan notion of immortal or divinely protected rulers. The exilic context provides solace to Judah by revealing that even their mighty oppressors and perceived allies are subject to God's justice.

Ezekiel 31 14 Word analysis

• to the end that (לְמַעַן – lᵉmaʿan): Signifies purpose or intention. God's action in humbling Egypt has a specific didactic goal: to teach a lesson to others.
• none of all the trees by the waters: Refers to powerful nations, kings, or people. "By the waters" (עֲצֵי־מַ֔יִם – ʿaṣê mayim) indicates they are well-resourced, flourishing, and derive their strength from fertile, abundant sources. This imagery underscores their earthly advantages, which God is shown to counteract.
• exalt themselves (יִגְבְּהוּ – yigbᵉhû): To be high, proud, arrogant. The verb highlights the sin of pride, taking undue credit or glory for their stature.
• for their height (בְּקוֹמָתָֽם – bᵉqōmātām): "In their height/stature." The specific attribute they boast about. Repeated in the verse for emphasis.
• neither shoot up their top (וְלֹֽא־יִתְּנוּ֙ אֶת־צַמַּתָּ֣ם – wᵉlōʾ yittᵉnû ʾeṯ ṣammaṯtām): "And not give their top." Ṣammat refers to the crown or topmost branches, symbolizing dominance, prominence, or outshining others.
• among the thick boughs (בֵּ֥ין עֲבֹתִ֖ים – bên ʿăvōṯîm): Among other dense or entangled branches, meaning to surpass or overshadow all others, becoming supremely dominant.
• all that drink water: Reinforces the earlier phrase "trees by the waters," encompassing all entities drawing sustenance and power from earthly sources, broadening the scope of the warning.
• for they are all delivered unto death (כִּ֤י כֻלָּם֙ נִתְּנוּ֙ לַמָּ֔וֶת – kî kullām nittᵉnû lammāweṯ): "For all of them are given/delivered to death." The ultimate and universal fate. The passive verb (nittᵉnû) implies divine agency in this deliverance, highlighting God's control.
• to the nether parts of the earth (אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ תַּחְתִּית֙ – ʾel ʾereṣ taḥtîṯ): The underworld, Sheol, the realm of the dead, contrasting sharply with their former lofty position.
• in the midst of the children of men (בְּת֤וֹךְ בְּנֵי־אָדָם֙ – bᵉṯôḵ bᵉnê ʾāḏām): Among common humanity, emphasizing the egalitarian nature of death, that even kings become like ordinary mortals in the grave.
• with them that go down to the pit (אֶל־יוֹרְדֵי ב֔וֹר – ʾel yôrᵉdê bôr): "With those descending to the pit." A synonymous expression for death and burial in Sheol, reaffirming the common, undignified fate awaiting the proud.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "to the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height": Establishes the divine pedagogical purpose behind God's judgment – preventing hubris among all powerful, well-resourced nations, using their stature as the point of contention.
• "neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water": This tripartite expression vividly reinforces the specific pride being condemned – striving for supreme dominance, overshadowing all others, and glorying in one's own self-sufficiency derived from earthly advantages. The repetition emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this forbidden pride.
• "for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit": This declarative clause articulates the universal, inescapable, and leveling fate. "Delivered unto death" by God's decree, "nether parts of the earth" defines the destination, "in the midst of the children of men" normalizes their descent, and "them that go down to the pit" seals the certainty of their demise, removing all unique privileges in the afterlife.

Ezekiel 31 14 Bonus section

The imagery of "trees by the waters" contrasting with descent "to the pit" vividly illustrates the ultimate irony of human pride. Those who flourish the most, deriving strength and resources, are precisely the ones whose elevated status is most abruptly nullified by the universal reach of death. This prophetic declaration by Ezekiel also functions as a powerful polemic against the ancient Near Eastern notion of divine kingship or immortal rulers, underscoring that even the most formidable pharaohs and emperors are merely mortal, subject to God's decree and destined for the same common fate as everyone else. The repeated phrase "in their height" (בְּקוֹמָתָֽם) signifies the very thing they relied upon for their perceived superiority—their physical or metaphorical stature—becomes the source of their ultimate humiliation, for that height makes their fall all the more dramatic.

Ezekiel 31 14 Commentary

Ezekiel 31:14 stands as a profound theological statement, generalizing the specific judgment against Egypt into a universal truth. It functions as a warning against pride rooted in power, prosperity, or any earthly advantage. God's purpose in cutting down the "lofty tree" is to teach all other "trees" – representing mighty nations or individuals – that such exaltation is an affront to His sovereignty. No matter how grand their stature or abundant their resources ("by the waters"), all are ultimately subjected to the same destiny: death and descent into the grave (Sheol), indistinguishable from ordinary humanity. This verse starkly reminds humanity that all glory, strength, and life are temporary and originate from God, challenging any self-congratulatory human achievements and affirming God's ultimate control over all earthly affairs. It emphasizes the leveling effect of death, humbling the mightiest of kings alongside the most common person.