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Ezekiel 17:8

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It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.

It was planted {H8362} in a good {H2896} soil {H7704} by great {H7227} waters {H4325}, that it might bring forth {H6213} branches {H6057}, and that it might bear {H5375} fruit {H6529}, that it might be a goodly {H155} vine {H1612}.

It had been planted in good soil, near plenty of water, so that it would produce branches, bear fruit and become a noble vine.'

It had been planted in good soil by abundant waters in order to yield branches and bear fruit and become a splendid vine.’

It was planted in a good soil by many waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.

Commentary

Ezekiel 17:8 is a key verse within the complex parable of the two eagles and the vine, which God gave to the prophet Ezekiel to explain the political turmoil and divine judgment unfolding in Judah during the Babylonian exile. This specific verse describes the planting of a "seed of the land" – representing King Zedekiah, whom Nebuchadnezzar appointed over Judah after the first deportation of King Jehoiachin.

Context

In this allegorical narrative, the first great eagle symbolizes King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. He came to Jerusalem, took the top branch of a cedar (King Jehoiachin and the leading citizens), and carried it to Babylon (Ezekiel 17:4). He then took a "seed of the land" (Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle) and planted him in "good soil by great waters." This imagery signifies that Judah, under Zedekiah, was established in a favorable position by Babylon, given the resources and conditions necessary to flourish, provided it remained loyal to its Babylonian overlord. The "great waters" represent the prosperity and stability offered by Babylon's protection, allowing Judah to regain strength and become a "goodly vine," meaning a strong and productive kingdom.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Control: The parable underscores that even the actions of powerful foreign kings like Nebuchadnezzar are ultimately under God's sovereign control. God uses nations and their leaders to carry out His purposes, including judgment and the establishment of new orders. This resonates with the broader biblical theme of God's rule over all earthly kingdoms, as seen in Daniel.
  • Covenant and Loyalty: The potential for Judah to become a "goodly vine" was entirely conditional on Zedekiah's adherence to the covenant he made with Babylon. This political loyalty reflects a deeper spiritual principle: prosperity and blessing are often tied to faithfulness and obedience to established agreements, whether divine or human. The subsequent verses in Ezekiel 17 reveal Zedekiah's tragic failure to uphold this covenant by seeking help from Egypt, leading to severe consequences.
  • Symbolism of the Vine: Throughout Scripture, the vine is a powerful symbol often representing Israel or God's people. Here, Judah is portrayed as a vine, capable of bearing fruit if nurtured properly and if it remains true to its allegiance. Other passages like Psalm 80:8 and Isaiah 5:7 similarly use the vine to depict God's relationship with His chosen nation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "goodly vine" translates from the Hebrew gephen 'addereth (גֶּפֶן אַדֶּרֶת). Gephen means "vine," and 'addereth can mean "majestic," "splendid," or "noble." This highlights the potential for Judah to thrive and become a significant kingdom under the conditions set by Babylon, implying a robust and flourishing state rather than a weak or struggling one, had Zedekiah maintained his loyalty.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 17:8 reminds us that God is actively involved in the affairs of nations and individuals. Even when circumstances seem to be dictated by human rulers, there is a divine hand at work. For believers today, this verse can serve as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to commitments and the consequences of breaking trust. Just as Zedekiah's prosperity was conditional on his loyalty, our spiritual flourishing often depends on our adherence to God's commands and our trust in His provision, even when it comes through unexpected or challenging channels. It encourages us to discern God's purposes in our own lives and in the broader world, trusting that He works all things together for His glory.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 17:5 (2 votes)

    He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed [it] by great waters, [and] set it [as] a willow tree.

  • Ezekiel 17:6 (2 votes)

    And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.