Ezekiel 31:9

9 I made it beautiful with many branches, and all the trees of Eden in the garden of God wanted to be like 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 So the tree was great and beautiful, with its long branches, because its roots reached down to much water.

8 The cedar trees in the garden of God were not as great as it was. The pine trees did not have such great limbs. The plane trees did not have such branches. was as beautiful as this tree.

9 I made it beautiful with many branches, and all the trees of Eden in the garden of God wanted to be like it.

10 "'So this is what the Lord God says: The tree grew tall. Its top reached the clouds, and it became proud of its height.

11 So I handed it over to a mighty ruler of the nations for him to punish it. Because it was evil, I got rid of it.