Ezekiel 17

CHAPTER 17

Two Eagles and a Vine (17:1–24)

1–6 Ezekiel is next instructed to set forth an allegory about the final years of Jerusalem (verses 1–10), and then to explain the meaning of the allegory (verses 11–21).

A great eagle (Nebuchadnezzar) broke off the topmost shoot (Jehoiachin) of a cedar in Lebanon (the house of David) and carried it off to Babylonia, a land of merchants (verses 3–4,12). Then Nebuchadnezzar took some seed (Zedekiah) and planted it—that is, he made Zedekiah king (verse 5). Zedekiah became a low, spreading vine (not a tall cedar), because he was a vassal king with limited power; at that time, Nebuchadnezzar also carried away Judah’s leading men (including Ezekiel) so that Judah would be brought low (verses 6,13–14). These events are recorded in 2 Kings 24:15–17.

7–10 But the vine (Zedekiah) then stretched out its branches to another great eagle (Pharaoh of Egypt); Zedekiah was seeking aid from EGYPT in his rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar (verses 78,15). But Zedekiah was doomed to fail; he would wither away when the east wind (the Babylonian forces) struck him (verses 9–10). Zedekiah would die in Babylon, because he had broken his treaty with Nebuchadnezzar (verses 16–18). These events are recorded in 2 Kings 24:20; 25:1–7.

11–21 These verses provide the explanation of the allegory (verses 1–10); the explanation has already been discussed in the comments above. Of special importance here is the Lord’s reaction to Zedekiah’s breaking of his treaty with Nebuchadnezzar (verses 19–21). That treaty, or covenant, would have been made in the Lord’s name; thus when Zedekiah broke the treaty he would also have broken his covenant with the Lord. For this reason, the Lord determined to execute judgment on Zedekiah (verse 20).

22–24 These final verses serve as an epilogue to the allegory: following judgment there is always hope. The Lord Himself will take a shoot (the Messiah) from the top of a cedar (the house of David) and plant it on a lofty mountain (Mount Zion), where it will grow into a splendid cedar (verses 22–23). Birds of every kind (the nations of the world) will nest in it (verse 23). And all the world will know that it is God who brings down kings and raises others up (verse 24). In due course He will bring down Nebuchadnezzar and raise up the house of David once more.²⁹ He will raise up the Messiah, the King of kings. “I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it.”