Ezekiel 31 5

Ezekiel 31:5 kjv

Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth.

Ezekiel 31:5 nkjv

'Therefore its height was exalted above all the trees of the field; Its boughs were multiplied, And its branches became long because of the abundance of water, As it sent them out.

Ezekiel 31:5 niv

So it towered higher than all the trees of the field; its boughs increased and its branches grew long, spreading because of abundant waters.

Ezekiel 31:5 esv

So it towered high above all the trees of the field; its boughs grew large and its branches long from abundant water in its shoots.

Ezekiel 31:5 nlt

This great tree towered high,
higher than all the other trees around it.
It prospered and grew long thick branches
because of all the water at its roots.

Ezekiel 31 verses

Ezekiel 31 5 Meaning

The verse describes the cedar of Lebanon, a symbol of might and beauty, extending its branches and lofty top not due to its own inherent greatness, but because of the waters that nourished it, causing it to reach the sky. This highlights how divine provision and sustenance are the true source of growth and exaltation, not self-derived power.

Ezekiel 31 5 Context

Ezekiel 31 prophesies against Pharaoh of Egypt, likening him to the great cedar of Lebanon. The chapter describes the cedar's former glory, its ascent among the trees, and the reasons for its eventual downfall. This particular verse, verse 5, focuses on the source of the cedar's (Pharaoh's) seemingly immense power and lofty position. It establishes that this height was not due to inherent strength or merit but rather a result of abundant water—representing divine blessing and provision—and deep roots that drew from these waters. The immediate context is setting up the judgment to come upon Egypt for its pride and reliance on its own might rather than on God.

Ezekiel 31 5 Word Analysis

• “For” (Hebrew: כִּי – ki): This conjunction introduces a reason or explanation for the preceding statement, connecting the cedar's height to its nourishing waters.
• “it”: Refers to the great cedar, a metaphor for Pharaoh of Egypt.
• “had” (Hebrew: הָיָה – hayah): Indicates a state of being or possession in the past.
• “grown” (Hebrew: גָּדַל – gadal): Signifies becoming great, large, or numerous. In this context, it speaks to the cedar's impressive size and stature.
• “so”: Expresses a consequence or result.
• “that”: Connects the cause (growth) to the effect (height).
• “its”: Possessive pronoun referring to the cedar.
• “height” (Hebrew: גָּבַהּ – gavah): Means loftiness, tallness, or height. It signifies reaching a prominent and elevated position.
• “was” (Hebrew: הָיָה – hayah): Past tense of "to be."
• “great”: Signifies significant in size, importance, or stature.
• “and” (Hebrew: וְ – ve): Conjunction connecting related ideas.
• “its”: Possessive pronoun.
• “top” (Hebrew: קָצֶה – qatsah): Refers to the highest point, the extreme end, or the summit.
• “among”: Indicates being in the midst of or within a group.
• “the”: Definite article.
• “the”: Definite article.
• “trees” (Hebrew: עֵץ – ets): Can refer to a single tree or trees collectively; here, it implies other trees in the forest.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "grown so that its height was great, and its top among the trees": This phrase vividly depicts the cedar's exceptional stature. It emphasizes that its size and prominence were not just average but remarkable, exceeding that of other trees around it. The imagery conveys not only physical height but also a symbolic status of superiority and conspicuousness in its environment.

Ezekiel 31 5 Bonus Section

The comparison of powerful nations or rulers to trees is a recurring motif in the Old Testament prophetic literature (e.g., Isaiah 14:12-15 regarding Babylon). The cedar of Lebanon was renowned for its size, strength, and beauty, making it an apt symbol for a mighty empire like Egypt. The imagery of waters symbolizes divine grace, provision, and sustenance that foster growth and exaltation. This verse serves as a precursor to the divine judgment against Egypt for its hubris, reminding the audience that all strength and success ultimately originate from God, and pride in self-derived power leads to destruction. The understanding of "waters" in ancient Near Eastern thought also connects to sources of life and fertility, which God alone controls.

Ezekiel 31 5 Commentary

This verse elucidates the dependency of perceived greatness. The cedar's immense size and commanding presence were not self-generated. They were directly attributable to the abundance of life-giving waters and the subsequent deep penetration of its roots. In the prophetic context, this signifies that Pharaoh's power and influence, which made him appear like the magnificent cedar of Lebanon, were not the result of his own inherent strength or wisdom, but of blessings and opportunities divinely provided (represented by the waters). Yet, the subsequent verses will reveal that Egypt, like the cedar, will be judged and cut down because it forgot the source of its sustenance and relied on its own power, leading to its prideful downfall.