Ezekiel 17:20

And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.

And I will spread {H6566} my net {H7568} upon him, and he shall be taken {H8610} in my snare {H4686}, and I will bring {H935} him to Babylon {H894}, and will plead {H8199} with him there for his trespass {H4603} that he hath trespassed {H4604} against me.

I will spread my net over him, and he will be caught in my snare; I will bring him to Bavel and bring him to judgment there for breaking faith with me.

I will spread My net over him and catch him in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon and execute judgment upon him there for the treason he committed against Me.

And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will enter into judgment with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.

Commentary

Commentary on Ezekiel 17:20 (KJV)

Ezekiel 17:20 is a powerful declaration of God's sovereign judgment against King Zedekiah of Judah. This verse concludes a vivid prophetic parable concerning two great eagles and a vine, which symbolizes the political maneuverings and ultimate downfall of Judah.

Context

The entire chapter of Ezekiel 17 uses the imagery of a great eagle (representing Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar) planting a vine (Judah) in a fertile field. A second great eagle (representing Pharaoh of Egypt) attempts to entice the vine to turn towards it, symbolizing King Zedekiah's treacherous alliance with Egypt against Babylon. Zedekiah had sworn an oath of allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar, but he broke this covenant by seeking Egyptian aid. In God's eyes, this broken oath was not just a political betrayal but a profound offense against Him, as oaths were made in His name. The preceding verses, particularly Ezekiel 17:15 and Ezekiel 17:19, emphasize the gravity of Zedekiah's treachery and God's determination to punish it.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse explicitly states, "I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare." This imagery vividly portrays God's active and inescapable role in bringing about judgment. It's not merely a consequence of human actions but a direct divine intervention, underscoring that God rules in the kingdom of men.
  • Consequences of Treachery: Zedekiah's broken covenant with Babylon, which was ultimately a trespass against God, brings severe retribution. The phrase "I will bring him to Babylon" signifies the fulfillment of prophecy and the exact nature of the punishment: exile and humiliation in the very place of his former allegiance.
  • God's Justice: "And will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me." This highlights God's righteous indignation and His intention to confront Zedekiah directly regarding his sin.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "will plead with him" translates the Hebrew word shaphat (שָׁ׀ַט), which means "to judge," "to govern," or "to contend." In this context, it signifies more than just a verbal argument; it implies a divine judicial process. God is not merely discussing the matter; He is acting as the divine judge, holding Zedekiah accountable for his actions and pronouncing judgment upon him. The emphasis on "trespass that he hath trespassed against me" underscores that Zedekiah's political betrayal was fundamentally a spiritual offense against the Lord.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 17:20 serves as a stark reminder of God's holiness and His unwavering commitment to justice. For believers today, it teaches several important lessons:

  • Accountability: God holds individuals, even kings and leaders, accountable for their actions and especially for broken promises made in His sight.
  • Inescapable Justice: There is no escaping God's judgment for unrepentant sin. What may seem like mere political maneuvering to humans is seen by God as a direct offense against His sovereignty and righteousness.
  • Integrity of Oaths: The verse reinforces the seriousness with which God views oaths and covenants. Our word, especially when given before God, carries immense weight.

This verse ultimately points to God's ultimate control over all earthly affairs, orchestrating events to fulfill His righteous purposes, even through the actions of pagan kings.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 12:13

    My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon [to] the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.

  • Jeremiah 2:35

    Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.

  • Ezekiel 32:3

    Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will therefore spread out my net over thee with a company of many people; and they shall bring thee up in my net.

  • Ezekiel 20:35

    And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.

  • Ezekiel 20:36

    Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Jeremiah 39:5

    But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.

  • Jeremiah 39:7

    Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.