Ezekiel 31 4

Ezekiel 31:4 kjv

The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent her little rivers unto all the trees of the field.

Ezekiel 31:4 nkjv

The waters made it grow; Underground waters gave it height, With their rivers running around the place where it was planted, And sent out rivulets to all the trees of the field.

Ezekiel 31:4 niv

The waters nourished it, deep springs made it grow tall; their streams flowed all around its base and sent their channels to all the trees of the field.

Ezekiel 31:4 esv

The waters nourished it; the deep made it grow tall, making its rivers flow around the place of its planting, sending forth its streams to all the trees of the field.

Ezekiel 31:4 nlt

Deep springs watered it
and helped it to grow tall and luxuriant.
The water flowed around it like a river,
streaming to all the trees nearby.

Ezekiel 31 verses

Ezekiel 31 4 meaning

Ezekiel 31:4 describes how the "tree," a metaphorical representation of Assyria (and by extension, Pharaoh and Egypt in the overall prophecy), achieved its immense growth and unparalleled height. It attributes this greatness to abundant "waters" and the nurturing "deep," which provided a constant, rich supply of sustenance through its widespread rivers and irrigation channels. This verse emphasizes the sheer life-giving force and widespread influence that enabled the tree-nation to flourish exceptionally, positioning it above all other nations.

Ezekiel 31 4 Context

Ezekiel chapter 31 presents a lament concerning Pharaoh and Egypt, though it uses Assyria as the primary allegorical example of a magnificent tree that rises to unparalleled height and then falls. This entire chapter is a "parable to Pharaoh" (v. 2), part of a series of oracles against foreign nations delivered by the prophet Ezekiel during Judah's exile in Babylon (593-571 BC). Specifically, this oracle is dated to "the first day of the third month, in the eleventh year" (v. 1), likely 586 BC, shortly after the fall of Jerusalem.

The historical context is critical: Judah had vacillated between trusting Egypt and Babylon, and Pharaoh Hophra (the current Egyptian ruler) was a formidable but ultimately unreliable ally against Babylon. Ezekiel uses this vivid imagery to convey God's impending judgment upon Egypt's pride and hubris, a nation often seen by others as an invincible, divinely favored power, drawing sustenance from the life-giving Nile. The verse fits within the broader message of God's sovereignty over all nations, even the most powerful, and His judgment against pride that challenges His ultimate authority. The reference to the "deep" and abundant waters might subtly challenge the pagan Egyptian deities associated with the Nile and creation, asserting that YHWH is the true source of all sustenance, even for those who do not acknowledge Him.

Ezekiel 31 4 Word analysis

• The waters: (Hebrew: מַיִם - mayim) Literally "water." In the biblical context, water is a fundamental element, representing life, blessing, prosperity, and the source of vitality. For ancient civilizations like Egypt, the Nile (its "waters") was their lifeblood, agricultural basis, and source of national strength and wealth. Here, it denotes abundant, plentiful resources.
• made him great: (Hebrew: גִּדְּלֻהוּ - gidd'luhu) From the verb גּדל (gadal), meaning "to be great," "grow," "make great," "magnify." This highlights the immense growth, prominence, and towering stature achieved by the tree-nation due to the provided resources. It signifies a rise to power and influence.
• the deep: (Hebrew: תְּהוֹם - tehom) This word refers to the primal ocean, the deep, or the abyss. It's the same term used in Gen 1:2 ("the deep was over the face of the waters"). In ancient Near Eastern cosmology, tehom could be associated with chaos, but it also represented immense, inexhaustible sources of water or primeval power. Here, it signifies the profound, abundant, and foundational source of water, beyond mere surface streams. It gives an almost mythical quality to the sustenance provided, emphasizing its vastness and potency.
• set him up on high: (Hebrew: רֽוֹמְמָהוּ - romemāhū) From the verb רום (rum), meaning "to be high," "exalted," "lift up." This phrase reinforces the idea of the tree's unparalleled elevation, standing far above all others, a clear metaphor for the nation's political and military supremacy and perceived invincibility.
• with her rivers running about his plants: (Hebrew: תַּנְהַר - tanhar is "made flow", referring to נהרותיה - naharôteihā which is "its rivers"). This portrays a continuous, well-distributed flow of water that specifically nourished the tree's roots and associated vegetation. The rivers (naharot) signify established channels of supply and sustenance, providing sustained growth.
• and sent out her little rivers: (Hebrew: וּתְשַׁלַּח אֶת־שַׁדְרֹתֶיהָ - ūtheshallah et-shadrôteihā) The verb שָׁלַח (shalach) means "to send out." The term שַׁדְרֹתֶיהָ (shadrôteihā), translated as "little rivers" or "channels," implies a widespread, intricate network of smaller irrigation canals or tributaries that branched out from the main "deep" and "rivers." These signify the extensive reach and penetration of the nation's influence and resource distribution, ensuring no part of its domain (represented by the "trees of the field") was deprived.
• to all the trees of the field: This implies the tree's immense sphere of influence; its pervasive sustenance spread throughout the entire region, supporting even surrounding or lesser "trees" (other nations, or parts of the same empire). This suggests a broad impact, making the allegorical tree an undisputed central power.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high: This parallelism attributes the tree's extraordinary growth to two sources of water—the "waters" (perhaps surface flow or general abundance) and "the deep" (a profound, primordial source). It highlights that the nation's ascendancy was not merely great but supremely elevated, stemming from a seemingly inexhaustible, almost cosmic supply.
• with her rivers running about his plants, and sent out her little rivers to all the trees of the field: This elaborates on how the deep and waters nourished the tree. It emphasizes comprehensive and widespread distribution: major rivers for direct, localized support ("his plants") and minor channels for broad regional influence ("all the trees of the field"). This imagery powerfully conveys an unparalleled, self-sufficient, and expansive network of resources.

Ezekiel 31 4 Bonus section

The tree imagery throughout the chapter, beginning with this verse, aligns with the "world tree" or "tree of life" motifs common in ancient Near Eastern mythology, which depicted a cosmic tree as the center of the universe, source of life, and connection between heaven and earth. By applying this to a human king/empire and showing its eventual destruction, Ezekiel subtly subverts these pagan concepts. The real cosmic tree, in a biblical sense, is God's own domain or His messianic kingdom (Eze 17:22-24). The verse also hints at the concept of common grace, where God provides rain, sun, and other resources to all people, righteous and unrighteous alike, allowing nations like Assyria and Egypt to grow mighty, even without acknowledging Him. However, this does not absolve them from judgment for their pride and wickedness.

Ezekiel 31 4 Commentary

Ezekiel 31:4 offers a stunning metaphor for the extraordinary prosperity and dominance of Assyria (and by extension, Egypt) rooted in divine providence. The "waters" symbolize the rich natural resources, political influence, and military might that enabled these empires to flourish. The use of "the deep" (tehom) elevates this source of power beyond mundane rivers to a primeval, almost cosmic wellspring, suggesting an ancient and seemingly unassailable foundation for its greatness. It subtly echoes the chaotic-turned-ordered waters of creation, hinting at God's hand in ordering even pagan empires. The imagery of widespread "rivers" and "little rivers" depicts a nation that not only sustains itself but also spreads its life-giving influence far and wide, drawing others into its sphere and nourishing dependent territories or lesser nations ("all the trees of the field"). This verse, in its context, functions as a set-up for the eventual fall; the very conditions that led to such unparalleled greatness—unquestioned sustenance and widespread influence—become the basis for a monumental pride that ultimately invites divine judgment. It underscores a key theological point: all power, even that of formidable empires, originates from God and is under His ultimate control. It also serves as a polemic against the Egyptian view of the Nile as their divine provider, asserting YHWH as the true source of all sustenance.