Ezekiel 31:9

9 I made it beautiful with abundant branches, the envy of all the trees of Eden in the garden of God.

Ezekiel 31:9 in Other Translations

KJV
9 I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him.
ESV
9 I made it beautiful in the mass of its branches, and all the trees of Eden envied it, that were in the garden of God.
NLT
9 Because I made this tree so beautiful, and gave it such magnificent foliage, it was the envy of all the other trees of Eden, the garden of God.
MSG
9 I made it beautiful, a work of art in limbs and leaves, The envy of every tree in Eden, every last tree in God's garden.'"
CSB
9 I made it beautiful with its many limbs, and all the trees of Eden, which were in God's garden, envied it.

Ezekiel 31:9 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 31:9

I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches
Or provinces, the extensiveness of his dominions: all his power and strength, riches and wealth, grandeur and glory, and the vast dominions he was possessed of, were all from the Lord; as whatever kings have are, though they are too apt to ascribe it to themselves; but all are from him, by whom kings reign: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied
him;
all the kings of the earth, though they dared not openly speak against him, or oppose him; yet they inwardly grieved at and secretly grudged his grandeur and majesty, superior to theirs, and wished themselves in his stead; and could gladly have done anything, were it in their power, to eclipse his glory, and bring him lower. This is the case of all that are in any eminence, or are conspicuous to others, or in any exalted station above others, be it what it will; whether they have superior gifts and endowments of mind; or greater riches, and larger possessions; or are in high places of honour, trust, and profit. The Targum is,

``I have made him beautiful by the multitude of his mighty ones; and all the kings of the east trembled before him, because of the strength of his power, which he had from the Lord.''

Ezekiel 31:9 In-Context

7 It was majestic in beauty, with its spreading boughs, for its roots went down to abundant waters.
8 The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it, nor could the junipers equal its boughs, nor could the plane trees compare with its branches— no tree in the garden of God could match its beauty.
9 I made it beautiful with abundant branches, the envy of all the trees of Eden in the garden of God.
10 “ ‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because the great cedar towered over the thick foliage, and because it was proud of its height,
11 I gave it into the hands of the ruler of the nations, for him to deal with according to its wickedness. I cast it aside,

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Genesis 2:8
  • 2. S Genesis 13:10; Ezekiel 28:13
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