Ezekiel 31:7 kjv
Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters.
Ezekiel 31:7 nkjv
'Thus it was beautiful in greatness and in the length of its branches, Because its roots reached to abundant waters.
Ezekiel 31:7 niv
It was majestic in beauty, with its spreading boughs, for its roots went down to abundant waters.
Ezekiel 31:7 esv
It was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches; for its roots went down to abundant waters.
Ezekiel 31:7 nlt
It was strong and beautiful,
with wide-spreading branches,
for its roots went deep
into abundant water.
Ezekiel 31 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 31:3 | "Behold, Asshur was a cedar in Lebanon with beautiful branches and shady… | Ezekiel 31:3 (Fulfillment) |
| Ezekiel 31:4 | "The waters made it great; the deep set it up on high… | Ezekiel 31:4 (Source of Growth) |
| Isaiah 14:12 | "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! You have cut… | Isaiah 14:12 (Similar fall) |
| Psalm 104:16 | "The trees of the LORD are full of sap, the cedars of Lebanon which He hath… | Psalm 104:16 (Divine Creation) |
| Daniel 4:10 | "The visions of my head while on my bed were: I saw, and behold, a tree in the… | Daniel 4:10 (Tree symbolism) |
| Daniel 4:20 | "The tree that you saw, which grew and was strong, whose height reached to… | Daniel 4:20 (Tree symbolism) |
| Jeremiah 22:7 | "And I will prepare destruction against you, a company for you; therefore… | Jeremiah 22:7 (Judgment on pride) |
| Job 40:17 | "He stiffens his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are wrapped… | Job 40:17 (Majesty of creation) |
| Psalm 92:12 | "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree; He shall grow like a cedar in… | Psalm 92:12 (Righteous growth) |
| Matthew 13:31 | "Another parable He put forth to them, saying: 'The kingdom of heaven is like… | Matthew 13:31 (Kingdom growth) |
| Ezekiel 17:3 | "And say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “A great eagle with great wings and… | Ezekiel 17:3 (Allegory of cedar) |
| Ezekiel 17:22 | "‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “I will take also a twig from the top of the… | Ezekiel 17:22 (Hope from seed) |
| Genesis 40:19 | "‘In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your place… | Genesis 40:19 (Egyptian context) |
| Isaiah 10:34 | "And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with an ax, and Lebanon shall… | Isaiah 10:34 (Lebanon's fall) |
| Zechariah 11:1 | "Open your doors, O Lebanon, that fire may devour your cedars." | Zechariah 11:1 (Judgment) |
| Psalm 37:35 | "I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a native… | Psalm 37:35 (Wicked prosperity) |
| Ezekiel 28:14 | "You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on… | Ezekiel 28:14 (Pride of Lucifer) |
| Amos 2:9 | "‘Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of… | Amos 2:9 (Strength destroyed) |
| 1 Kings 4:33 | "He also spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon to the hyssop that… | 1 Kings 4:33 (Nature's grandeur) |
| Isaiah 2:13 | "And against all the cedars of Lebanon, the high and lofty ones, and against… | Isaiah 2:13 (Pride of Lebanon) |
Ezekiel 31 verses
Ezekiel 31 7 Meaning
The verse describes a cedar tree, once glorious and tall in Lebanon, as being unmatched in its beauty and stature, even among other excellent trees. It emphasizes the tree's magnificence, its roots reaching deep, and its branches spreading wide, creating a haven and shade.
Ezekiel 31 7 Context
Ezekiel 31 is a prophecy against Pharaoh of Egypt. The chapter uses the metaphor of a majestic cedar tree in Lebanon to represent powerful nations, and specifically the Assyrian Empire initially, but then shifts to Egypt, who sought to emulate or surpass its strength. The cedar, glorious and tall, symbolizes pride, power, and influence. The verse highlights its former magnificence and unparalleled status, setting the stage for the prophecy of its downfall due to its arrogance.
Ezekiel 31 7 Word Analysis
- Behold (Hebrew: הִנֵּה, hinneh): An interjection used to draw attention. It emphasizes the subject that follows, demanding the listener’s focus.
- Asshur (Hebrew: אַשּׁוּר, ’Asshûr): Refers to Assyria, a powerful empire in the ancient Near East. Its mention here signifies its former grandeur, which Egypt aspired to or competed with.
- was (Hebrew: הָיָה, hāyâh): Indicates a past state or condition.
- a cedar (Hebrew: אֶרֶז, ’erez): Specifically a cedar tree, known for its great height, strength, durability, and fragrant wood. It's a common symbol of majesty and power in the Ancient Near East.
- in Lebanon (Hebrew: בַּלְּבָנוֹן, ba-Ləḇānôn): Lebanon, famous for its magnificent cedar forests, the most prized trees of the region. The location signifies height, prestige, and beauty.
- with beautiful branches (Hebrew: עָבוֹת עֲנָפִים, ʿāḇôṯ ʿănāp̄îm): "Thick" or "dense" branches. This describes the fullness and lushness of the tree's canopy, contributing to its splendor and shade.
- and shady (Hebrew: צֵל, tsēl): Shadow, or shade. This points to the protective and providing nature of its foliage, a place of refuge and coolness.
- and of a high stature (Hebrew: וּגְבֹהַּ קוֹמָה, ū-gəḇōḥ qōmâh): "High stature" or "tallness." Emphasizes its vertical prominence.
- and its height reached (Hebrew: וְגָבְהוֹ יַגִּיעַ, wə-ḡāḇhô yaggiāʿ): "Its height reached," signifying its immense size and upward growth.
- to the clouds (Hebrew: אֶל־עָב, ’el-ʿāḇ): Literally "to the cloud." A hyperbole to express extreme height, reaching into the sky.
- Word Group Analysis:
- "Asshur was a cedar in Lebanon": Connects the mighty empire of Assyria to the iconic symbol of strength and grandeur from Lebanon, establishing its former glory.
- "with beautiful branches and shady, and of a high stature": This phrase paints a picture of comprehensive magnificence – both widespread beauty (branches) and impressive verticality (height).
- "its height reached to the clouds": This hyperbolic expression vividly illustrates the peak of its power and perceived invincibility.
Ezekiel 31 7 Bonus Section
This verse acts as a powerful piece of imagery for political allegory. The cedars of Lebanon were highly valued for their strength and fragrance, often used in temple construction, symbolizing purity and strength, but also the splendor of earthly kingdoms that God had blessed. The mention of Assyria first connects the height of its imperial power to this grandeur, a comparison often made for powerful empires in Near Eastern thought. Later, in the prophecy, this imagery is applied to Egypt, signifying its overweening pride in its own might and beauty, much like Nebuchadnezzar's pride, which led to his humiliation. The "clouds" represent the very heavens, indicating a perceived equality with or challenge to God’s authority through immense human achievement and power.
Ezekiel 31 7 Commentary
The cedar of Lebanon was renowned for its majestic size, durability, and the excellent quality of its wood, making it a potent symbol of power, prestige, and even divine favor. This verse describes a particular tree, representing a great nation (initially Assyria, then Egypt) at the height of its power. Its beauty was not just in its size, but in the full spread of its branches offering shade and a thriving canopy. Its extreme height, reaching towards the clouds, symbolizes its perceived unassailability and dominance in the political landscape. This is a picture of ultimate earthly power, a source of envy and wonder, setting a stark contrast for the subsequent judgment to come. It highlights how pride in such earthly glory leads to downfall.