Ezekiel 31:10
ยถ Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;
Therefore thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Because thou hast lifted up {H1361} thyself in height {H6967}, and he hath shot up {H5414} his top {H6788} among the thick boughs {H5688}, and his heart {H3824} is lifted up {H7311} in his height {H1363};
"Therefore here is what Adonai ELOHIM says: 'Because you are so tall, because he has lifted his crown above the leafy boughs, because he has grown so arrogant about his height,
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: โSince it became great in height and set its top among the clouds, and it grew proud on account of its height,
Therefore thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because thou art exalted in stature, and he hath set his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;
Cross-References
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Ezekiel 28:17
Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. -
Daniel 5:20
But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: -
2 Chronicles 32:25
But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit [done] unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. -
Obadiah 1:3
The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation [is] high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? -
Ezekiel 31:14
To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water: for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit. -
Proverbs 16:18
ยถ Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. -
2 Chronicles 25:19
Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to [thine] hurt, that thou shouldest fall, [even] thou, and Judah with thee?
Commentary
Ezekiel 31:10 (KJV) delivers a powerful declaration from the Lord GOD, explaining the divine judgment against Pharaoh, king of Egypt, for his excessive pride and self-exaltation. This verse forms a pivotal point in a prophetic lament that likens Egypt to a magnificent, towering tree that has grown beyond measure, not only in height but also in its own estimation.
Context of Ezekiel 31:10
Chapter 31 of Ezekiel is a vivid prophetic oracle, delivered around 587 BC, just before the final fall of Jerusalem. In this chapter, God uses the extended metaphor of a majestic cedar tree to describe the kingdom of Egypt (and by extension, Assyria, which serves as a cautionary tale of a once-mighty empire now fallen). The preceding verses (Ezekiel 31:1-9) describe the tree's impressive stature, its widespread branches, and its dominance, implying Egypt's great power and influence among the nations. Verse 10, however, shifts from description to explanation, revealing the root cause of the tree's (Egypt's) impending downfall: its overwhelming pride. This serves as a direct warning to Pharaoh and other powerful rulers of the time, including the king of Judah, about the dangers of arrogance and the consequences of forgetting God's ultimate sovereignty.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word translated "lifted up" is rum (ืจืึผื), which means "to be high, exalted, lifted up." While it can denote legitimate exaltation (e.g., God's glory), here it carries the negative connotation of self-exaltation or arrogance. The repetition of "lifted up" and the emphasis on "his heart is lifted up" (ืึดืึผืึน ืึธืึทืึผ ืึฐึผืึธืึฐืืึน โ libbo gavah begoแธho) highlight that the pride is deeply rooted in the very core of the being, not just an outward display of power. The "heart" (levav, ืึตืึธื) in Hebrew thought refers to the seat of intellect, will, and emotion, emphasizing the internal, spiritual nature of this sin.
Cross-References and Connections
The theme of pride leading to a fall is pervasive throughout Scripture. This verse resonates with:
Practical Application
Ezekiel 31:10 serves as an enduring warning against the perils of pride, whether in individuals, organizations, or nations.
- Personal Humility: It reminds us that any talent, success, or position we attain is ultimately by God's grace. Our hearts must remain humble before Him, acknowledging His ultimate authority and avoiding self-congratulation.
- Leadership Responsibility: For those in positions of power, it's a stark reminder that true strength lies not in arrogance but in humility and dependence on God. Leaders who "lift up their hearts" in pride risk divine judgment and eventual downfall.
- Trust in God: Instead of trusting in our own strength, resources, or achievements, this verse encourages us to place our trust solely in the Lord, who alone is truly exalted.
The message is timeless: while God delights in blessing and exalting, He fiercely opposes the spirit of pride that takes credit for His blessings and forgets His sovereignty.Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.