Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryEzekiel 31

Francis D. Nichol (ed.) and contributors

Ezekiel 31:1

The eleventh year. Of Jehoiachin’s captivity (see on ch. 1:2); the month date falls in June, 587 or 586 (see p. 572). The present prophecy was given about two months after the previous one ch. 30:20). In prophetic allegory and in stirring poetic parallel the prophet describes the fall of the great nation of Egypt.

Ellen G. White

See EGW on Psalm 92:12, Vol. 3, p. 1146.

Ezekiel 31:2

Pharaoh. Hophra, or Apries, noted for his arrogant pride (see on ch. 29:3). The Assyrian. Heb. ’Ashshur, “Assyria.” A change of one letter of the consonantal Hebrew and a change in pointing to ’ashweka give the reading “I will liken thee.” The sentence would then read, “Behold, I will liken thee to a cedar in Lebanon” (see RSV). However, we cannot be sure that such changes are justified. It is possible to understand the allegory if the reference to Assyria is retained. The history and downfall of Assyria would then be set forth as an example of the history and overthrow of Egypt. With the change in the text the application would be direct.

A cedar. For similar imagery see Isa. 10:34; 37:24; Eze. 17:3; Dan. 4:20–22; Zech. 11:1, 2.

Ezekiel 31:4

Waters made him great. The LXX reads, “The waters nourished him.” The reference is either to the Nile or to the Tigris, depending upon what interpretation is adopted (see on v. 3).

Ezekiel 31:6

Fowls of heaven. Compare Eze. 17:23; Dan. 4:21.

Ezekiel 31:7

Ellen G. White

(Ezekiel 31:7.) The Christian a Sturdy Cedar—When the love of Jesus is abiding in the soul, many who are now but withered branches will become as the cedars of Lebanon, “whose root is by the great waters.” The cedar is noted for the firmness of its roots. Not content to cling to the earth with a few weak fibers, it thrusts its rootlets, like a sturdy wedge, into the cloven rock, and reaches down deeper and deeper for strong holds to grasp. When the tempest grapples with its boughs, that firm-set tree cannot be uprooted. What a goodly cedar might not every follower of Christ become, if he were but rooted and grounded in the truth, firmly united to the Eternal Rock (The Review and Herald, June 20, 1882).

Ezekiel 31:8

Garden of God. The LXX reads “the paradise of God.” The figure seems to be drawn from the Garden of Eden (see Gen. 2:8; Eze. 31:9). By poetic hyperbole the prophet describes the pretended greatness of Egypt. The garden of God may here represent Israel as the people of God.

Ezekiel 31:10

Lifted up thyself. See on ch. 29:3.

Ezekiel 31:11

The mighty one. That is, Nebuchadnezzar (see on ch. 29:19

Ezekiel 31:12

Have left him. Compare ch. 29:5.

Ezekiel 31:13

Upon his ruin. Compare ch. 29:5.

Ezekiel 31:14

Exalt themselves. This is the lesson to be drawn from the parable. Let not the other trees rely on their own strength and be infatuated with prosperity.

Ezekiel 31:15

Grave. Heb. she’ol, hadës in the LXX, the figurative abode of the dead, represented as a subterranean cavern (see on Prov. 15:11).

Ezekiel 31:16

Hell. Heb. she’ol (see on v. 15).

Ezekiel 31:17

Slain with the sword. The reality breaks through the figure. His arm. His auxiliaries, those who helped him in his conquests.

Ezekiel 31:18

This is Pharaoh. The allegory is applied.