Ezekiel 31 6

Ezekiel 31:6 kjv

All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.

Ezekiel 31:6 nkjv

All the birds of the heavens made their nests in its boughs; Under its branches all the beasts of the field brought forth their young; And in its shadow all great nations made their home.

Ezekiel 31:6 niv

All the birds of the sky nested in its boughs, all the animals of the wild gave birth under its branches; all the great nations lived in its shade.

Ezekiel 31:6 esv

All the birds of the heavens made their nests in its boughs; under its branches all the beasts of the field gave birth to their young, and under its shadow lived all great nations.

Ezekiel 31:6 nlt

The birds nested in its branches,
and in its shade all the wild animals gave birth.
All the great nations of the world
lived in its shadow.

Ezekiel 31 verses

Ezekiel 31 6 meaning

Ezekiel 31:6 vividly describes the immense and far-reaching influence of the Assyrian empire, depicted metaphorically as a magnificent cedar tree. It illustrates how countless diverse peoples, nations, and smaller kingdoms found refuge, stability, and a means to thrive under the protection and dominion of this great world power. The verse emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Assyria's sway, encompassing virtually all known entities in their contemporary world, suggesting a universal appeal or submission to its overarching authority.

Ezekiel 31 6 Context

Ezekiel chapter 31 is a prophetic lament and parable concerning Egypt and its pharaoh, delivered around 588 BC, after Pharaoh Hophra attempted to intervene in Judah's rebellion against Babylon. Using the example of the magnificent Assyrian empire, symbolized as a towering cedar in Eden, the Lord instructs Ezekiel to tell Pharaoh that his grandeur, like Assyria's before him, is nothing in comparison to God and will likewise be brought down.

Verse 6 specifically details the peak of Assyria's glory and influence, describing how "all the birds of the heavens" and "all the beasts of the field"—symbolizing many different peoples and nations—found security, livelihood, and growth under its expansive dominion. The chapter then contrasts this former glory with Assyria's subsequent downfall (Ezek 31:10-14), warning Egypt that a similar fate awaits it due to its pride and self-exaltation. This served as a direct polemic against the pervasive ancient Near Eastern belief in the invincibility and divine authority of empires like Egypt, showing that even the greatest human power is subject to God's ultimate decree and judgment.

Ezekiel 31 6 Word analysis

• All the birds of the heavens (כֹּל עוֹף הַשָׁמַיִם – kol ʿoph ha-shamayim): "All" signifies universality within their sphere. "Birds of the heavens" or "birds of the sky" (not necessarily divine) represent countless and diverse, often dependent, peoples or smaller kingdoms, much like creatures that inhabit the higher, more exposed parts of the tree, suggesting a wide reach of influence over both those near and far. This imagery points to the far-reaching influence and broad array of client states or subjects under Assyrian rule.

• made their nests (קִנְּנוּ – qinenu): This Hebrew verb implies settling, taking permanent residence, building, or establishing a secure place. It suggests not just temporary shelter but finding a dwelling and security within the tree's protection. It conveys reliance and dependence on the dominant power for stability and security.

• in its boughs (בְּפֻארֹתָיו – bə-fuʾarotāw): "Boughs" refers to the robust, large branches that spread out. These represent the vast physical extent, military strength, political reach, and protective cover of the Assyrian empire, under which the "birds" could safely reside and reproduce.

• and under its branches (וּמִתַּחַת לְסֻכּוֹתָיו – u-mittaḥat lə-sukkotāw): More precisely, "under its sukkah" or "canopy/thicket" of branches. This reinforces the protective aspect of the empire's dominion. A sukkah can refer to a temporary shelter, but in this context, it evokes a dense, pervasive covering.

• all the beasts of the field (כֹּל חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה – kol ḥayyat ha-sadeh): "All" again indicates comprehensive scope. "Beasts of the field" symbolize diverse, often more earthy or settled, peoples, nomadic groups, or nations on the ground. Together with "birds of the heavens," it encompasses a broad spectrum of humanity, underscoring the universal extent of Assyrian control and perceived refuge.

• gave birth (יָלְדּוּ – yaldu): This verb means "to give birth" or "to bear offspring." It signifies more than just existing; it points to the prosperity, growth, multiplication, and continuation of these nations under the empire's care. It highlights that they not only survived but thrived and propagated due to the security and resources provided.

• and under its shadow (וּבְצִלּוֹ – u-bə-tzillo): "Shadow" represents protection, shade, refuge, and often, pervasive influence or authority. To dwell "under its shadow" means to live under its overarching power and governance, benefiting from its stability and shelter.

• dwelt (יֵשְׁבוּ – yeshbu): To sit, reside, or settle. It underscores the establishment of residence and continued inhabitation, signifying a deep level of integration and dependence on the dominant power.

• all great nations (כֹּל גּוֹיִם רַבִּים – kol goyim rabbim): This explicit statement clarifies that the "birds" and "beasts" ultimately refer to numerous and significant human political entities. "Nations" (goyim) and "great/many" (rabbim) emphatically declare the immense reach and variety of Assyria's subject or allied states across its known world.

• "All the birds of the heavens...made their nests in its boughs, and under its branches...all the beasts of the field gave birth": This striking parallelism uses different forms of life and different parts of the tree to emphasize the thorough and widespread nature of Assyria's dominion. Both airborne creatures (representing diverse, perhaps more transient peoples or those from far off) and ground-dwelling creatures (representing more stable or land-bound peoples) found a place, depicting comprehensive reach and a capacity to accommodate varied populations. The progression from "nests" (establishing a home) to "gave birth" (fostering life and growth) deepens the understanding of the empire's function as a provider of more than just shelter, but also conditions for prosperity.

• "under its shadow dwelt all great nations": This phrase functions as a conclusive summary and literal interpretation of the preceding metaphors. It explicitly states the human political reality being depicted, emphasizing the grandeur, protective influence, and vast number of important national entities that relied on and existed within the Assyrian empire's extensive sway.

Ezekiel 31 6 Bonus section

The metaphor of a magnificent, overshadowing tree representing a mighty ruler or empire is not unique to Ezekiel but recurs in prophetic literature. Notably, Daniel 4 uses almost identical imagery to describe Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian empire. This repeated motif underscores a divine perspective that God is constantly demonstrating His ultimate authority over human pride and political ambition. Such "trees," while seemingly invincible in their height and provision for many, are ultimately transient and destined to be "cut down" by God's decree, revealing His singular, unshakeable sovereignty (Dan 4:17). This also implicitly contrasts with God's intention for His chosen people (like Israel), who, when faithful, were meant to be a blessing and a refuge to the nations (Gen 12:3; Zech 8:20-23), but ultimately the only true and eternal "shadow" is the one offered by the Most High (Psa 91:1).

Ezekiel 31 6 Commentary

Ezekiel 31:6 profoundly captures the perceived glory and extensive influence of a world-dominating power, personified here by the Assyrian empire. Through the powerful metaphor of a magnificent, sky-reaching cedar, the verse illustrates how numerous and diverse nations—symbolized by "birds of the heavens" and "beasts of the field"—found not just temporary shelter but genuine prosperity, stability, and even growth ("gave birth") under its encompassing authority. The imagery paints a picture of comprehensive dominion, where myriad peoples settled, flourished, and sought refuge in the protective "shadow" of this majestic, yet ultimately temporal, entity. This served as a stark warning to Pharaoh and Egypt: no matter how grand an earthly kingdom appears, its foundation and security are always contingent on the sovereign will of God, who alone can truly provide everlasting shade and security (Psa 91:1-2) and who judges the pride that inevitably accompanies such human-centered power.