17:8 17:8

Ezekiel 17:9

17:10 17:10

Bible Versions

Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.
Say {H559} thou, Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Shall it prosper {H6743}? shall he not pull up {H5423} the roots {H8328} thereof, and cut off {H7082} the fruit {H6529} thereof, that it wither {H3001}? it shall wither {H3001} in all the leaves {H2964} of her spring {H6780}, even without great {H1419} power {H2220} or many {H7227} people {H5971} to pluck it up {H5375} by the roots {H8328} thereof.
"Say that Adonai ELOHIM asks: 'Will it succeed? Won't he pull it up by the roots and cut off its fruit; so that it dries up; and all its sprouting leaves wither? There will be no great power and few people there when it is plucked up by the roots.
So you are to tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Will it flourish? Will it not be uprooted and stripped of its fruit so that it shrivels? All its foliage will wither! It will not take a strong arm or many people to pull it up by its roots.
Say thou, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it may wither; that all its fresh springing leaves may wither? and not by a strong arm or much people can it be raised from the roots thereof.

Ezekiel 17:9 is a rhetorical question from the Lord GOD, part of a vivid parable illustrating the consequences of Judah's rebellion and breach of covenant with Babylon, turning instead to Egypt for help. The verse pronounces the inevitable downfall of the rebellious kingdom, emphasizing that its destruction will be swift and effortless from God's perspective.

Context

This verse is found within the "parable of the two great eagles and the vine" (Ezekiel 17:1-10), a prophetic allegory given to the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile. The first great eagle represents King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who came to Jerusalem and took a branch from the top of a great cedar (symbolizing King Jehoiachin and the Davidic dynasty) to Babylon. He then planted a seed of the land (King Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle) in a fertile field, establishing him as a vassal king, bound by a solemn oath to Babylon. This new plant became a "spreading vine," representing the kingdom of Judah under Zedekiah.

However, instead of remaining loyal to his oath and Babylon, the vine (Zedekiah) "bent her roots towards" a "second great eagle" (Egypt), seeking military assistance to throw off Babylonian rule. This act of seeking help from Egypt and breaking the covenant made with Babylon was a direct act of rebellion against God, who had ordained Nebuchadnezzar's authority. Ezekiel 17:9, therefore, is God's pronouncement of judgment on this treachery, questioning rhetorically whether such a disloyal vine could possibly prosper. For a deeper understanding of the parable's beginning, see Ezekiel 17:1.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The verse powerfully asserts God's ultimate control over earthly kingdoms and His unwavering judgment against rebellion and faithlessness. Despite Judah's strategic alliances, God declares their plans will fail.
  • Consequences of Covenant Breaking: Zedekiah's breaking of his oath to Babylon, which was implicitly an oath before God, is severely condemned. The "pulling up of roots" and "cutting off of fruit" signify the complete and utter destruction of the kingdom, a direct consequence of its disloyalty. This echoes the importance of vows and covenants throughout Scripture, as seen in Numbers 30:2.
  • Futility of Human Alliances Apart from God: Judah's reliance on Egypt instead of trusting in God's plan for them demonstrates a common biblical theme: the futility of seeking help from human power when it means forsaking divine guidance. Isaiah 31:1 also warns against trusting in Egypt's chariots.
  • Effortless Divine Power: The phrase "even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof" emphasizes that God does not need a vast army or human might to execute His judgment. The vine is inherently weak and its doom is certain and easy for God to accomplish.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "Shall it prosper?" (הֲתִצְלָח - ha-titslach) is a rhetorical question that expects a resounding "no." It highlights the absolute certainty of failure for the rebellious vine. The repeated use of "wither" (תִּבַּשׁ - tivash) underscores the desiccation and complete ruin that awaits Judah. The imagery of pulling up roots and cutting off fruit is a powerful metaphor for total destruction, signifying the end of the kingdom's lineage and productivity.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 17:9 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. Faithfulness to Commitments: The verse serves as a stark reminder of the importance of integrity and keeping one's word, especially when covenants or oaths are made. Our commitments, whether to God or to others, carry significant weight.
  2. Trust in God Alone: It challenges us to examine where we place our trust. Are we relying on human strategies, worldly alliances, or our own strength to navigate life's challenges, or are we truly leaning on God's sovereignty and provision? Just as Judah's reliance on Egypt proved futile, so too can our human schemes fail when they are not aligned with God's will. Consider Psalm 20:7.
  3. Understanding Divine Justice: The verse reinforces the truth that God will ultimately bring justice and consequences for disobedience and rebellion. His power is beyond human comprehension, and He does not require human strength to accomplish His purposes.
Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 30:1

    ¶ Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

  • Isaiah 30:7

    For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength [is] to sit still.

  • Isaiah 31:1

    ¶ Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because [they are] many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

  • Isaiah 31:3

    Now the Egyptians [are] men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.

  • Jeremiah 21:4

    Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that [are] in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and [against] the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.

  • Jeremiah 21:7

    And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.

  • 2 Chronicles 20:20

    ¶ And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
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