Ezekiel 17:19-24

19 Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: '{As I live}, {surely} my oath that he despised and my covenant that he broke I will return upon his head.

20 And I will spread my net over him, and he will be caught in my hunting net, and I will bring him [to] Babylon, and I will enter into judgment with him there [about] his infidelity that he displayed against me.

21 And all of his choice troops, among all of his troops, they will fall by the sword, and [those who] [are] remaining, they will be scattered to all [the directions of the] wind, and you will know that I, Yahweh, I have spoken.'

22 Thus says the Lord Yahweh: 'And I will take, [even] I, from the treetop of the high cedar, and I will plant [it], from the head of its new plant shoot I will pluck a tender one, and I will plant [it], [even] I, on a high and lofty mountain.

23 On the height of the mountain of Israel I will plant [it], and it will carry branches, and it will bear fruit, and {it will become a noble cedar}, and all of the birds of all wings will dwell under it in the shade of its branches.

24 And all of the trees of the field will know that I, Yahweh, I will bring low a high tree, [and] I will exalt a low, fresh tree, and I will make a dry tree flourish. I, Yahweh, I have spoken, and I will do [it].'"

Ezekiel 17:19-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 17

Under the simile of two eagles and a vine are represented the kings of Babylon and Egypt, and the condition of the Jews, who are threatened with ruin for their perfidy; and yet a promise is made of the raising up of the house of Judah, and family of David, in the Messiah. The prophet is bid to deliver a riddle or parable to the house of Israel, Eze 17:1,2. The riddle or parable is concerning two eagles and a vine, which is delivered, Eze 17:3-10; and the explanation of it is in Eze 17:11-15; and then the destruction of the Jews is threatened for their treachery to the king of Babylon, Eze 17:16-21; and the chapter is closed with a promise of the Messiah, and the prosperity of his kingdom, Eze 17:22-24.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "live I"
• [b]. Literally "if not"
• [c]. Or "left over"
• [d]. Or "bear"
• [e]. Hebrew "branch"
• [f]. Literally "he will be to a cedar noble"
• [g]. Or "kinds"