Ezekiel 31:5

5 'Therefore * ¹its height was loftier than all the trees of the field And its boughs became many and its branches long Because of ²many waters as it spread them out.

Ezekiel 31:5 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 31:5

Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the
field
His majesty, grandeur, and glory, were advanced above all princes, nobles, and people; all ranks and degrees of men, let them be compared to trees taller or lower: and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long;
the provinces of his empire became more numerous, and were spread far and near, and reached to distant countries: because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth;
either the vast number of people, which were daily increasing, and were sent out to people distant colonies, newly subdued or planted; or because of the great traffic which was carried on in different parts, and the advantages arising from it. The Targum is,

``therefore he was lifted up in his strength above all the kings of the earth, and his army was multiplied, and his auxiliaries prevailed over many people, through his victories''

Ezekiel 31:5 In-Context

3 'Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon With beautiful branches and forest shade, And very high, And its top was among the clouds.

4 'The waters made it grow, the deep made it high. With its rivers it continually extended all around its planting place, And sent out its channels to all the trees of the field.

5 'Therefore its height was loftier than all the trees of the field And its boughs became many and its branches long Because of many waters as it spread them out.

6 'All the birds of the heavens nested in its boughs, And under its branches all the beasts of the field gave birth, And all great nations lived under its shade.

7 'So it was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches; For its roots extended to many waters.

Cross References

• 1. Daniel 4:11
• 2. Psalms 1:3; Ezekiel 17:5

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "in its sending forth"