Ezekiel 31 15

Ezekiel 31:15 kjv

Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when he went down to the grave I caused a mourning: I covered the deep for him, and I restrained the floods thereof, and the great waters were stayed: and I caused Lebanon to mourn for him, and all the trees of the field fainted for him.

Ezekiel 31:15 nkjv

"Thus says the Lord GOD: 'In the day when it went down to hell, I caused mourning. I covered the deep because of it. I restrained its rivers, and the great waters were held back. I caused Lebanon to mourn for it, and all the trees of the field wilted because of it.

Ezekiel 31:15 niv

"?'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On the day it was brought down to the realm of the dead I covered the deep springs with mourning for it; I held back its streams, and its abundant waters were restrained. Because of it I clothed Lebanon with gloom, and all the trees of the field withered away.

Ezekiel 31:15 esv

"Thus says the Lord GOD: On the day the cedar went down to Sheol I caused mourning; I closed the deep over it, and restrained its rivers, and many waters were stopped. I clothed Lebanon in gloom for it, and all the trees of the field fainted because of it.

Ezekiel 31:15 nlt

"This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When Assyria went down to the grave, I made the deep springs mourn. I stopped its rivers and dried up its abundant water. I clothed Lebanon in black and caused the trees of the field to wilt.

Ezekiel 31 verses

Ezekiel 31 15 Meaning

This verse describes the utter devastation and isolation that befell the once mighty Egyptian empire. It signifies a complete absence of habitation and comfort, with no one to bring solace or ease to its desolation. The river, a symbol of life and power, becomes a place of ruin.

Ezekiel 31 15 Context

This verse is part of Ezekiel's prophecy against Egypt, specifically targeting Pharaoh and the nation of Egypt. Ezekiel uses the metaphor of a mighty cedar tree to describe Egypt's former glory and power, contrasting it with its impending destruction. The chapter (31) initially describes Egypt's former strength, likening it to magnificent cedars of Lebanon. However, the focus quickly shifts to judgment. This verse serves as a vivid description of the totality of that judgment. The historical context is the Babylonian exile, where Judah, represented by the southern kingdom, was under Babylonian dominance. Egypt, a regional power, had also been subjugated by Babylon. Ezekiel's message conveyed that neither mighty empires like Egypt nor the sinfulness of Judah would escape God's sovereign judgment and reordering of nations.

Ezekiel 31 15 Word Analysis

• So (Hebrew: כֵּן - ken):

  • Meaning: "thus," "so," "in this manner."
  • Significance: Emphasizes the completeness and certainty of the statement that follows – the non-occurrence of such a entity rising again.

• that (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר - asher):

  • Meaning: "who," "which," "that."
  • Significance: Introduces the clauses that describe the characteristics of the incomparable nation, highlighting its unique and impressive stature.

• none (Hebrew: אֵין - ein):

  • Meaning: "not," "there is no."
  • Significance: Absolute negation, stressing the uniqueness and unparalleled nature of Egypt's previous dominance and eventual downfall.

• raised (Hebrew: רוּם - rum):

  • Meaning: "to be lifted up," "exalted," "raised."
  • Significance: Denotes exaltation and high status, a position that will no longer be attainable by any nation.

• up (Implied in the Hebrew verb rum):

  • Significance: Indicates elevation in stature and influence, a vertical rise in prominence.

• his (Hebrew: לוֹ - lo):

  • Meaning: "to him," "for him."
  • Significance: Refers to the singular entity that achieved such a towering position, pointing to Egypt's individual might.

• shade (Hebrew: צֵל - tzel):

  • Meaning: "shadow," "shade," "protection."
  • Significance: Represents the influence, power, and the "umbrella" of protection or dominance that this nation provided, or that was drawn from its height.

• was (Hebrew: הָיָה - hayah):

  • Meaning: "to be," "exist," "become."
  • Significance: Connects the "shade" to the previous descriptions of greatness, showing a cause-and-effect or a characteristic.

• his (Hebrew: לוֹ - lo):

  • Meaning: "to him," "for him."
  • Significance: Again, refers to the singular, once-great entity.

• boughs (Hebrew: עָנָף - anaf):

  • Meaning: "branch," "bough."
  • Significance: In the cedar metaphor, branches represent spreading influence, prosperity, and perhaps sub-nations or tributary states under Egypt's sway.

• stretched (Hebrew: יַרְד - yarad - technically a participle related to "go down" or "descend", but contextually implies reaching or extending towards):

  • Meaning: "descended," "went down."
  • Significance: While "stretched" is a good English interpretation, the Hebrew emphasizes a downward extension or a foundational reach, implying deep roots or pervasive influence reaching even to the watery depths, indicating stability and reach.

• down (Hebrew: עַד - ad):

  • Meaning: "unto," "until," "as far as."
  • Significance: Indicates the limit or extent of the boughs' or roots' reach.

• to (Hebrew: אֶל - el):

  • Meaning: "to," "towards."
  • Significance: Marks the destination or the object of the extension.

• the (Implied in Hebrew structure):

  • Significance: Article specifying the river.

• water (Hebrew: מַ֫יִם - mayim):

  • Meaning: "water."
  • Significance: Likely refers to the Nile River, Egypt's lifeblood, or symbolic of the depths of the earth or even the sea, indicating a pervasive and fundamental level of influence. It speaks of their reach extending to the very foundations of existence or the waters that sustained them.

• so that (Hebrew: לְמַ֫עַן - lema'an):

  • Meaning: "in order that," "so that."
  • Significance: Introduces the consequence or purpose of the state described – for no nation to rise like this.

• its (Hebrew: הֶם - hem - plural suffix referring to boughs/roots):

  • Meaning: "their," "its."
  • Significance: Connects the characteristics back to the unified entity represented by the cedar.

• roots (Hebrew: שֹׁרֶשׁ - shoresh):

  • Meaning: "root."
  • Significance: Symbolizes the foundation, stability, origin, and extent of power; reaching down indicates a firm establishment.

• reached (Hebrew: נָגַע - naga'):

  • Meaning: "to touch," "reach," "strike."
  • Significance: Conveys proximity and contact, showing that the nation's foundational influence extended down to the very waters.

• down (Hebrew: תַּחְתִּיִּ֫ת - taḥtiyyit - from taḥat, meaning "under" or "below"):

  • Meaning: "downward," "below."
  • Significance: Reinforces the depth and foundational aspect of their reach.

• to the (Implied in Hebrew structure):

  • Significance: Article specifying the waters.

• water (Hebrew: מַ֫יִם - mayim):

  • Meaning: "water."
  • Significance: Reinforces the depth and pervasive influence, linking their stability and power to the fundamental elements of the earth.

Word-Group Analysis

• "none was raised up like it": This phrase, employing the root rum (to be lifted up, exalted), powerfully conveys that no nation or entity in its historical context achieved the same unique, towering prominence or dominance that Egypt, as symbolized by the cedar, possessed. It's a statement of absolute, singular preeminence in its prime.

• "that its boughs stretched down to the water": The metaphor here shifts to the tree's structure. The "boughs" (עָנָף - anaf) represent outward manifestations of power and influence – prosperity, tributaries, dominion spread. The fact that these "stretched down to the water" (to the waters/roots), possibly referencing the Nile or foundational waters, emphasizes Egypt's deep roots, extensive reach, and perhaps an underlying dependency or even an element that ultimately contributed to its downfall by reaching into polluting waters. The dual aspect of strong boughs and deep roots speaks to its complete self-sufficiency and perceived unshakeable stability.

Ezekiel 31 15 Bonus Section

The cedar of Lebanon in Ezekiel 31 serves as a common prophetic symbol for powerful nations and rulers in the ancient Near East, representing strength, majesty, and prosperity, but often associated with pride that incurs divine judgment. Egypt, like Assyria before it (Eze 31:3), was known for its ancient might and perceived invincibility. The reference to its "boughs stretched down to the water" can also be interpreted as its foundational strength derived from the Nile, yet paradoxically, this life source becomes part of its ruin. This imagery reinforces the theme of divine retribution; when the proudest entities are judged, their destruction is absolute, leaving no trace of their former grandeur, as nations often found their existence tied to water sources that then became instruments of their desolation (e.g., drought, flood). This serves as a perpetual lesson for future generations regarding the futility of human-centric power and pride against the omnipotence of the Creator.

Ezekiel 31 15 Commentary

Ezekiel 31:15 pronounces a final verdict on Egypt's might, stating that no nation would ever rise again to a stature comparable to Egypt's former glory. This reflects a judgment based on its pride and reliance on its own strength, rather than on God. The verse vividly illustrates the complete ruin awaiting Egypt, leaving it utterly desolate and barren, a stark contrast to its former magnificence symbolized by the grand cedar. This desolation extends to its vital water sources, now becoming symbols of its destruction rather than life. The judgment signifies not just political collapse but a complete removal of its influence and prestige, ensuring it would serve as a cautionary tale against idolatry of national power and human achievement. It underscores God’s sovereignty over all nations, bringing down the proud and raising up the humble.