Ezequiel 17:23

23 Se convertirá en un cedro majestuoso, extenderá sus ramas y producirá semillas. Toda clase de aves anidarán en él y encontrarán refugio a la sombra de sus ramas.

Ezequiel 17:23 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 17:23

In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it
In the highest part of the land of Israel, as Jerusalem is said to be by the Jewish writers; the land of Israel, they say, particularly Kimchi upon the place, was higher than all other lands, and Jerusalem was the highest part of that land; here the Messiah preached and wrought his miracles, even in the mountain of the Lord's house, the temple; and here the first Christian church was planted and established: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar;
that is, the tender twig or branch cropped off, set and planted as before described: by the "boughs" or "branches" it brings forth may be meant believers, who are as branches in Christ; are of the same nature with him, united to him; have a communication of life and grace from him; are supported and strengthened by him; and so, abiding in him, persevere to the end; see ( John 15:4 John 15:5 ) ; and the same may be said of particular churches; and by "fruit" it is said to bear may be designed the persons of the chosen, redeemed, and called; who are the fruit of Christ's death, and of the ministration of his Gospel, ( John 12:24 ) ( 15:16 ) ; or the blessings of grace which are in him, come from him, and are communicated by him; even fill spiritual blessings, as justification, pardon, adoption, sanctification, and eternal life; in short, both grace and glory; and thus he becomes and appears to be a "goodly cedar", in his person, office, and grace, to his people, to whom he is altogether lovely; being full of grace and truth, ( Song of Solomon 5:16 ) ( John 1:14 ) ; and in his kingdom and interest, especially in the latter day, when the kingdoms of this world shall become his: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the
branches thereof shall they dwell;
by whom are designed converted sinners of all sorts, and of all nations, Jews and Gentiles; compared to birds, because weak, defenceless, and timorous; exposed to danger; and wonderfully delivered; are subject to wander and go astray; and for their chirping and warbling notes: now these may be said to "dwell" under the "shadow" of the "branches" of this "goodly cedar", Christ and his church; that is, under the ministration of the word and ordinances, which is a very delightful and refreshing shadow, a very safe and fruitful one, ( Song of Solomon 2:3 ) ( Hosea 14:7 ) ( Isaiah 4:6 ) ( 25:4 ) ; and here saints choose to dwell, and determine to abide and continue, as it is their interest and happiness so to do; and what a flocking and tabernacling of these birds here will there be in the latter day, where they will chirp and sing in the height of Zion? ( Isaiah 66:4 Isaiah 66:8 ) ( Jeremiah 31:12 ) ; compare with this ( Matthew 13:32 ) ; where our Lord is thought by some to allude to this passage.

Ezequiel 17:23 In-Context

21 Todos sus mejores guerreros
morirán en batalla y los que sobrevivan serán esparcidos a los cuatro vientos. Entonces ustedes sabrán que yo, el Señor
, he hablado.

22 »”Esto dice el Señor
Soberano: tomaré una rama de la copa de un cedro alto y la plantaré sobre la cumbre de la montaña más alta de Israel.

23 Se convertirá en un cedro majestuoso, extenderá sus ramas y producirá semillas. Toda clase de aves anidarán en él y encontrarán refugio a la sombra de sus ramas.

24 Todos los árboles sabrán que soy yo, el Señor
, quien tala el árbol alto y hace crecer alto el árbol pequeño. Soy yo quien hace secar el árbol verde y le da vida al árbol seco. ¡Yo, el Señor
, he hablado y cumpliré lo que he dicho!”».