Ezekiel 17:19-24

19 “ ‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: As surely as I live, I will repay him for despising my oath and breaking my covenant.

20 I will spread my net for him, and he will be caught in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon and execute judgment on him there because he was unfaithful to me.

21 All his choice troops will fall by the sword, and the survivors will be scattered to the winds. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken.

22 “ ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain.

23 On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches.

24 All the trees of the forest will know that I the LORD bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. “ ‘I the LORD 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.

Cross References

• 1. Jeremiah 7:9; S Ezekiel 16:59; Ezekiel 21:23; Hosea 10:4
• 2. S Ezekiel 12:13; Ezekiel 32:3
• 3. S Jeremiah 2:35; Ezekiel 20:36
• 4. S Ezekiel 15:8
• 5. S Ezekiel 12:14
• 6. 2 Kings 25:11
• 7. S Leviticus 26:33; S 2 Kings 25:5; Zechariah 2:6
• 8. S Jeremiah 27:8
• 9. S 2 Kings 19:30; S Isaiah 4:2
• 10. ver 23; Isaiah 2:2; S Jeremiah 23:5; Ezekiel 20:40; Ezekiel 36:1,36; Ezekiel 37:22; Ezekiel 40:2; Ezekiel 43:12
• 11. S ver 22; S Jeremiah 31:12
• 12. S Isaiah 27:6
• 13. Psalms 92:12; S Isaiah 2:2; Ezekiel 31:6; Daniel 4:12; Hosea 14:5-7; S Matthew 13:32
• 14. S Psalms 96:12; Isaiah 2:13
• 15. S Psalms 52:5
• 16. S Numbers 17:8; Daniel 5:21
• 17. S 1 Samuel 2:7-8; Ezekiel 19:12; Ezekiel 21:26; Ezekiel 22:14; Ezekiel 37:13; Amos 9:11