Ezekiel 31 16

Ezekiel 31:16 kjv

I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that descend into the pit: and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall be comforted in the nether parts of the earth.

Ezekiel 31:16 nkjv

I made the nations shake at the sound of its fall, when I cast it down to hell together with those who descend into the Pit; and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, were comforted in the depths of the earth.

Ezekiel 31:16 niv

I made the nations tremble at the sound of its fall when I brought it down to the realm of the dead to be with those who go down to the pit. Then all the trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, the well-watered trees, were consoled in the earth below.

Ezekiel 31:16 esv

I made the nations quake at the sound of its fall, when I cast it down to Sheol with those who go down to the pit. And all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, were comforted in the world below.

Ezekiel 31:16 nlt

I made the nations shake with fear at the sound of its fall, for I sent it down to the grave with all the others who descend to the pit. And all the other proud trees of Eden, the most beautiful and the best of Lebanon, the ones whose roots went deep into the water, took comfort to find it there with them in the depths of the earth.

Ezekiel 31 verses

Ezekiel 31 16 Meaning

This verse describes the fallen state of Pharaoh and his mighty nation, Egypt. Their prideful grandeur has been brought down, leaving them as commoners amongst nations, stripped of their former glory and power. They are cast down to the earth, lying among the slain, a stark contrast to their former elevated position.

Ezekiel 31 16 Context

Ezekiel chapter 31 prophesies the downfall of Pharaoh and the powerful nation of Egypt. This prophecy comes at a time when Egypt, despite its ancient might, was weakened by Assyria and then by Babylon. The chapter uses the imagery of a mighty cedar tree to represent Pharaoh's seemingly invincible power and influence. Egypt, having sided with Judah and acted as a perceived protector, is now slated for judgment. The "trees of Eden" and "trees of Lebanon" imagery highlights their former pride and splendor, which are now destined for destruction and descent into the underworld.

Ezekiel 31 16 Word Analysis

• They (they): Refers back to Pharaoh and his powerful nation, the subject of the preceding verses' downfall.

• have brought down (yareedu): Hebrew root "radah" (רדה), meaning to go down, descend, bring down. Indicates a deliberate act of lowering, fitting for the divine judgment executed upon Egypt.

• his multitude (hāmônô): Hebrew for "crowd" or "multitude." Refers to the vast population and armies of Egypt, emphasizing the scale of the nation's fall.

• with him (immo): Indicates that the fallen state affects not just Pharaoh but also his entire nation.

• down to the lowest parts of the earth (ʼel-taḥtiyyôth ’erets): Hebrew "taḥtiyot" (תַּחְתִּיּוֹת), the nethermost depths. This phrase signifies extreme degradation, oblivion, and being cast into the lowest stratum of existence, the realm of the dead, Sheol. It starkly contrasts with their former high status.

• lie (yiškabû): Hebrew "shakav" (שָׁכַב), to lie down, lie in wait. Here it means to lie prostrate in death.

• with the slain (eth-halalîm): Refers to the dead who have been killed by the sword, emphasizing death by violent judgment.

• of the sword (las-searep): A noun derived from "sareph" (שָׂרַף) but here referring to a sword, commonly from a root meaning "to burn" or "destroy," but used contextually for weapons of war. However, "la-herev" (לַחֶרֶב) which means "to the sword" is more common, suggesting potential slight variations or scribal traditions; understanding "searep" as a metonymy for battle/destruction, or a variant of "heres" meaning pottery shards on which the slain are cast, points to ruin.

• descending (yored): A present participle of "yarad" (יָרַד), reiterating the act of going down. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of their descent into the grave.

• he and all his mob (hu w'ḵul-hāmônô): Reiteration, reinforcing that Pharaoh and his entire populace share this fate.

• Group analysis: The verse functions as a direct consequence of the previous metaphors of the fallen cedar. The "multitude" being brought down "with him" emphasizes a collective ruin. The phrase "lowest parts of the earth" is a powerful descriptor for Sheol, the underworld, used to signify ultimate humiliation and loss of status. The association with "the slain of the sword" highlights that this fall is a consequence of violent, external judgment.

Ezekiel 31 16 Bonus Section

The imagery of being brought down to the "lowest parts of the earth" echoes the concept of Sheol in ancient Israelite understanding. Sheol was generally conceived as a dim, dusty underworld, a place of diminished existence and separation from God, irrespective of one's earthly status or righteousness. For a powerful ruler like Pharaoh to be depicted as lying "with the slain" signifies that even earthly might offers no protection against divine judgment, and all are subject to mortality and judgment before God. This also highlights God's sovereignty over all nations, casting down the proud and humbling the exalted.

Ezekiel 31 16 Commentary

Pharaoh, like a great tree brought low, is now cast down to the very lowest depths of the earth. This isn't just a metaphor for physical defeat; it's a spiritual and existential degradation. He and his entire vast nation, once proud and high, are now like commoners among the dead, those killed in war. Their former greatness is utterly erased. Their ultimate resting place is described as among "the slain of the sword," signifying they are victims of God's judgment, defeated in battle and cast aside ignominiously. Their descent into Sheol represents complete loss of influence, power, and honor on earth and even in the afterlife imagery.