


Ezekiel 17:14
Bible Versions
That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, [but] that by keeping of his covenant it might stand.
so that this kingdom of his would stay humble and not develop aspirations of its own; rather, it would keep his covenant and live accordingly.
so that the kingdom would be brought low, unable to lift itself up, surviving only by keeping his covenant.
that the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping his covenant it might stand.
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Ezekiel 29:14
And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return [into] the land of Pathros, into the land of their habitation; and they shall be there a base kingdom. -
Matthew 22:17
Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? -
Matthew 22:21
They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. -
Deuteronomy 28:43
The stranger that [is] within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low. -
Lamentations 5:10
Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine. -
Jeremiah 38:17
Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house: -
Nehemiah 9:36
Behold, we [are] servants this day, and [for] the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we [are] servants in it:
Ezekiel 17:14 is part of a complex allegory given by the prophet Ezekiel, explaining God's judgment on the kingdom of Judah and its king, Zedekiah. This verse reveals the divine purpose behind the humbling of Judah under Babylonian rule: to prevent pride and ensure stability through covenant faithfulness.
Context
Chapter 17 of Ezekiel presents a parable of two great eagles and a vine. The first great eagle represents Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, who came to Jerusalem, removed King Jehoiachin, and set up Zedekiah (the "tender one" from the vine's branches) as a vassal king (2 Kings 24:17). Zedekiah swore an oath of allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar, which was effectively an oath before God (Ezekiel 17:13). However, Zedekiah later rebelled, seeking help from Egypt (the second great eagle). This verse explains that the initial humbling of Judah was intended to make the kingdom "base" or humble, preventing it from exalting itself, and to ensure its stability through adherence to the sworn covenant.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
Practical Application
Ezekiel 17:14 offers profound lessons for believers today: