Ezekiel 31:15

KJV

Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when he went down to the grave I caused a mourning: I covered the deep for him, and I restrained the floods thereof, and the great waters were stayed: and I caused Lebanon to mourn for him, and all the trees of the field fainted for him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; In the day {H3117} when he went down {H3381} to the grave {H7585} I caused a mourning {H56}: I covered {H3680} the deep {H8415} for him, and I restrained {H4513} the floods {H5104} thereof, and the great {H7227} waters {H4325} were stayed {H3607}: and I caused Lebanon {H3844} to mourn {H6937} for him, and all the trees {H6086} of the field {H7704} fainted {H5969} for him.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Here is what Adonai ELOHIM says: 'On the day he descended to Sh'ol, I caused the abyss to mourn and cover itself for him; I held back its rivers, so that its deep waters were stopped. I made the L'vanon mourn for him, and all the field trees withered because of him.

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘On the day it was brought down to Sheol, I caused mourning. I covered the deep because of it; I held back its rivers; its abundant waters were restrained. I made Lebanon mourn for it, and all the trees of the field fainted because of it.

American Standard Version

Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: In the day when he went down to Sheol I caused a mourning: I covered the deep for him, and I restrained the rivers thereof; and the great waters were stayed; and I caused Lebanon to mourn for him, and all the trees of the field fainted for him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 31:15 powerfully depicts the catastrophic downfall of a once-majestic nation, metaphorically represented as a towering cedar, brought low by divine judgment. The verse emphasizes the Lord GOD's absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers, portraying a profound, almost cosmic, mourning that accompanies the nation's descent into the grave, as even the deep, the floods, and the trees of Lebanon lament its demise.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of a prophetic lament found in [Ezekiel chapter 31](/ezekiel/31 "Ezekiel 31 - The Parable of the Cedar"). In this chapter, God uses the vivid and extended metaphor of a magnificent cedar of Lebanon to describe the grandeur, pride, and subsequent destruction of a prominent world power, widely understood to be Assyria, and by extension, Pharaoh (Egypt). The preceding verses, particularly [Ezekiel 31:3-9](/ezekiel/31-3 "Ezekiel 31:3-9 - The Cedar's Grandeur"), detail this nation's impressive growth, its unparalleled influence, and its self-exaltation, likening it to a tree whose branches reached the clouds, overshadowing all others. Verse 15 marks the dramatic climax of this narrative, shifting from the description of the cedar's pride and ascent to the pronouncement of its divinely orchestrated fall, depicting the profound, universal lament that accompanies its judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of the cedar of Lebanon held significant cultural weight in the ancient Near East, symbolizing strength, majesty, and enduring power, often associated with kings and empires. Ezekiel, prophesying during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC), addressed a people grappling with the fall of their own kingdom and the dominance of powerful empires like Babylon and Egypt. The prophecy against the "cedar" (Assyria/Egypt) served as both a warning to other proud nations and a source of hope for Judah, demonstrating God's ultimate control over history and His justice against arrogance. The concept of nature mourning for a fallen king or nation, while hyperbolic, was a poetic convention that underscored the immense impact of such a collapse, suggesting that even the cosmic order was affected by the divine judgment of human pride.

* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 31:15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, powerfully asserting that it is the Lord GOD who actively orchestrates the rise and fall of nations. His direct actions—"I caused a mourning," "I covered the deep," "I restrained the floods"—demonstrate His absolute control over all earthly powers, highlighting His justice against arrogance and pride, as seen in the ultimate fate of the "cedar." This verse also underscores the **Gravity of Pride's Downfall**, illustrating that self-exaltation inevitably leads to destruction. The imagery of the deep, floods, and even Lebanon and its trees mourning signifies the immense, almost cosmic, impact and universal lament associated with the collapse of such a mighty, proud entity, reinforcing the principle that "pride goeth before destruction" ([Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Before Destruction")). Finally, the **Symbolism of Nature's Lament** serves as a potent literary device, where the "deep" and "great waters" being restrained, and "Lebanon" and "all the trees of the field" fainting, are poetic expressions of the profound shock and sadness that permeates creation when a once-exalted power is brought to nothing, emphasizing the universal scope of God's judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Grave (Hebrew, _shᵉʼôwl'_):** From a root meaning "to ask," this term refers to Hades or the world of the dead, often understood as a subterranean retreat. In this context, it signifies the complete and irreversible demise of the proud nation, a descent into utter stillness and oblivion, contrasting sharply with its former towering vitality. Its use here emphasizes the finality and totality of the judgment.
* **Deep (Hebrew, _tᵉhôwm'_):** This term denotes an abyss or surging mass of water, often associated with primeval chaos or the subterranean waters, as seen in the creation account in [Genesis 1:2](/genesis/1-2 "Genesis 1:2 - The Spirit Hovering over the Deep"). Here, God's act of "covering" the deep for the fallen entity suggests a solemn, divinely orchestrated silencing or cessation of cosmic forces, emphasizing the profound and universal impact of its downfall and God's control over even the elements of chaos.
* **Stayed (Hebrew, _kâlâʼ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to restrict, by act or word," or "to hold back or in." In this verse, it describes God's active intervention to halt or restrain the great waters, underscoring His absolute control over natural and cosmic elements. This demonstrates that the mourning and cessation are not accidental or natural consequences, but rather divinely willed and executed actions, highlighting God's direct involvement in the judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the Lord GOD;":** This opening phrase establishes the divine authority and origin of the prophecy, emphasizing that the pronouncement is a direct and unalterable word from the sovereign God (Adonai YHWH), not merely human speculation or lament. It underscores the certainty and power behind the ensuing judgment.
* **"In the day when he went down to the grave I caused a mourning:":** This clause marks the precise moment of the proud nation's catastrophic downfall, likening its demise to a descent into Sheol, the realm of the dead. The Lord GOD explicitly states His active role in initiating this "mourning," indicating that the collapse is a divinely orchestrated judgment, not a mere accident of history or a consequence of human conflict alone.
* **"I covered the deep for him, and I restrained the floods thereof, and the great waters were stayed:":** This vivid imagery portrays God's control over cosmic forces. "The deep" (tehom) and "great waters" often symbolize chaos or powerful, uncontrollable elements. God's act of "covering" and "restraining" them signifies a profound, solemn cessation of natural order, a cosmic quietude that accompanies the judgment, emphasizing the universal impact and the Lord's absolute power over creation.
* **"and I caused Lebanon to mourn for him, and all the trees of the field fainted for him.":** Personifying the natural world, this final clause amplifies the scale of the lament. Lebanon, famed for its majestic cedars, and all other trees, are depicted as actively mourning and fainting. This hyperbole underscores the immense, almost unbelievable, shock and sorrow that reverberates through all creation at the humbling of such a once-proud and towering entity, reinforcing the gravity of divine judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 31:15 is rich in literary devices that amplify its prophetic message. The most prominent is **Personification**, where inanimate objects and natural elements are given human characteristics. "Lebanon" and "all the trees of the field" are depicted as actively "mourning" and "fainting," conveying a sense of universal grief and cosmic upheaval at the nation's fall. This is further enhanced by **Hyperbole**, as the extent of this mourning is exaggerated to emphasize the profound impact of the divine judgment. The entire chapter operates as an extended **Metaphor**, with the "cedar of Lebanon" representing a powerful, proud nation (likely Assyria or Egypt). The imagery of "the deep" and "great waters" being "covered" and "restrained" employs **Symbolism**, where these elements represent primeval chaos or uncontrollable forces, now brought to stillness by God's sovereign command. This stillness itself acts as a powerful **Contrast** to the earlier descriptions of the cedar's towering vitality and pervasive influence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 31:15 profoundly articulates God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers and His unwavering justice against pride. The downfall of the "cedar" serves as a stark reminder that no nation, however mighty or self-exalted, can escape the divine reckoning. This passage underscores the biblical principle that human arrogance, when it challenges God's supreme authority, invariably leads to an inevitable and often dramatic fall. The cosmic mourning described highlights the universal scope of God's judgment, demonstrating that His dominion extends beyond human affairs to encompass all of creation, which responds to His decrees. This theological truth resonates throughout Scripture, affirming that God alone is the true King, before whom all earthly kingdoms ultimately bow or fall.

* [Isaiah 14:12-15](/isaiah/14-12 "Isaiah 14:12-15 - The Fall of Lucifer and the King of Babylon")
* [Daniel 4:37](/daniel/4-37 "Daniel 4:37 - Nebuchadnezzar's Praise of God's Sovereignty")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Before Destruction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 31:15 offers a timeless and sobering warning against the insidious nature of pride and the futility of self-exaltation, whether for individuals, institutions, or nations. It compels us to recognize that true strength, stability, and enduring significance come not from human might or self-sufficiency, but from humble reliance on the Lord GOD. The cosmic mourning depicted serves as a powerful spiritual mirror, inviting us to consider the far-reaching consequences of our own prideful tendencies and to cultivate a posture of humility and reverence before the One who alone holds ultimate authority. In a world often captivated by power, influence, and self-promotion, this verse calls us to remember that every earthly kingdom and every human endeavor is ultimately subject to the sovereign will of God, whose justice will prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or our society do I see the "cedar of Lebanon" mentality—that is, pride, self-sufficiency, or a sense of invincibility apart from God?**
* **How does the imagery of nature mourning and the deep being covered impact my understanding of the gravity of divine judgment against pride?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater humility and acknowledge God's sovereignty in my daily decisions and aspirations?**

### FAQ

**What does the "grave" (Sheol) signify in this context, and why is it important?**

Answer: In Ezekiel 31:15, "grave" (Hebrew: *shᵉʼôwl*) refers to the underworld or the realm of the dead. Its significance here is profound: it signifies a complete and irreversible end for the proud nation. Unlike a temporary defeat or a mere loss of power, the descent into Sheol implies a total cessation of vitality, influence, and existence in the world of the living. It emphasizes the finality of God's judgment against the nation's arrogance, contrasting sharply with its former towering majesty and vitality, as described earlier in [Ezekiel 31:3-9](/ezekiel/31-3 "Ezekiel 31:3-9 - Description of the Mighty Cedar"). This imagery underscores that divine judgment brings about not just a fall, but an ultimate and inescapable demise for those who defy God's sovereignty through pride.

**Why do "Lebanon" and "all the trees of the field" mourn and faint?**

Answer: The mourning of "Lebanon" and "all the trees of the field" is a powerful example of **personification** and **hyperbole**, literary devices used to convey the immense scale and impact of the proud nation's downfall. Lebanon, renowned for its majestic cedars, symbolizes the very essence of natural strength and grandeur, often associated with the nation itself. By depicting nature itself mourning and fainting, Ezekiel emphasizes that the judgment is not merely a political or military defeat, but a cosmic event that reverberates through all creation. It underscores the profound shock and universal lament that accompanies the humbling of a once-exalted power by the sovereign hand of God, demonstrating that God's justice is so absolute that even the natural world acknowledges its gravity, as seen in other prophetic laments like [Isaiah 24:4](/isaiah/24-4 "Isaiah 24:4 - The Earth Mourns").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 31:15 directly addresses the judgment of a proud earthly kingdom, its themes find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The ultimate downfall of all proud powers and the triumph of divine sovereignty are perfectly embodied in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Earthly kingdoms, no matter how majestic or self-exalted, are temporary and subject to decay and judgment, ultimately descending into the "grave" (Sheol). However, Christ, though He "went down to the grave" ([Acts 2:27](/acts/2-27 "Acts 2:27 - David's Prophecy of Christ's Resurrection")), did not remain there. His resurrection from the dead signifies His ultimate victory over sin, death, and all the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). The cosmic mourning described in Ezekiel 31:15, where even nature responds to God's judgment, foreshadows the universal acknowledgment of Christ's supreme authority, as every knee will one day bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord ([Philippians 2:10-11](/ philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). The final judgment of all pride and rebellion against God will culminate in Christ's return, when He will establish His eternal kingdom, bringing an end to all earthly dominions and their arrogance ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdoms of the World Become the Kingdoms of Christ")). Thus, the lament for the fallen cedar points to the ultimate triumph of the humble Lamb of God over all the proud "cedars" of this world.

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.

Cross-References

Revelation 18:18

And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What [city is] like unto this great city!

Revelation 18:19

And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

Revelation 18:9

¶ And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

Revelation 18:11

And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

Malachi 3:4

Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

Nahum 2:8

But Nineveh [is] of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, [shall they cry]; but none shall look back.

Nahum 2:10

She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain [is] in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.