Ezekiel 31:3

KJV

Behold, the Assyrian [was] a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, the Assyrian {H804} was a cedar {H730} in Lebanon {H3844} with fair {H3303} branches {H6057}, and with a shadowing {H6751} shroud {H2793}, and of an high {H1362} stature {H6967}; and his top {H6788} was among the thick boughs {H5688}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Like Ashur, a cedar in the L'vanon. It had beautiful branches, dense foliage, its tall crown surrounded by leafy boughs.

Berean Standard Bible

Look at Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches that shaded the forest. It towered on high; its top was among the clouds.

American Standard Version

Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a forest-like shade, and of high stature; and its top was among the thick boughs.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 31:3 introduces a profound allegorical portrayal of ancient Assyria as a majestic cedar of Lebanon, vividly illustrating its immense grandeur, far-reaching dominion, and towering stature among the nations. This powerful imagery serves as a poignant historical example, setting the stage for a prophetic warning to Pharaoh concerning Egypt's impending judgment, thereby highlighting the transient nature of all earthly power and the inevitable downfall of prideful empires under the sovereign hand of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 31 is an integral part of a series of divine oracles directed against Egypt, found within the broader prophetic messages spanning [Ezekiel 29](/ezekiel/29 "Ezekiel 29 - Prophecy Against Egypt") through [Ezekiel 32](/ezekiel/32 "Ezekiel 32 - Further Prophecies Against Egypt"). This particular chapter employs an elaborate and striking allegory, comparing Pharaoh and the nation of Egypt to a magnificent cedar tree. Verse 3 initiates this comparison by first referencing Assyria, a recently fallen empire, as a prime historical exemplar of a nation that achieved unparalleled greatness and widespread influence, only to be brought low by divine decree. This serves as a potent cautionary tale, directly preceding the application of the same fate and principles of judgment to Egypt. The narrative flow of the chapter meticulously details the cedar's impressive growth, its overshadowing influence, and ultimately, its dramatic felling, emphasizing the divine agency behind both its rise and its precipitous fall.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time Ezekiel delivered this prophecy, likely in the early 6th century BCE, the formidable Assyrian Empire, though its capital Nineveh had fallen in 612 BCE, remained a vivid and potent symbol of imperial might and arrogance in the collective memory of the ancient Near East. For centuries, Assyria had dominated the region, renowned for its relentless military prowess, extensive conquests, and often brutal subjugation of vassal states. The "cedar in Lebanon" was universally recognized and revered as a symbol of strength, beauty, durability, and majesty, highly prized for grand construction projects, such as Solomon's Temple, as recorded in [1 Kings 5:6](/1_kings/5-6 "1 Kings 5:6 - Solomon Requests Cedar from Hiram"). By likening Assyria to such an iconic tree, Ezekiel powerfully communicates its former unparalleled dominance and perceived invincibility. Egypt, the direct recipient of this prophecy, was itself another formidable power, frequently vying for regional control with the rising Neo-Babylonian Empire, and was demonstrably prone to the same pride and self-reliant arrogance that had characterized Assyria.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme powerfully underscored by this verse is the **pride and subsequent humiliation of nations**. Assyria's portrayal as a towering cedar vividly highlights its self-exaltation and overweening arrogance, which inevitably precipitates a divine judgment that brings it low. This serves as a stark and direct warning to Egypt, reinforcing the profound theological truth that no earthly power, regardless of its military might or perceived invincibility, stands beyond the reach of God's sovereign judgment. This directly ties into the overarching theme of **divine sovereignty**, wherein God is depicted as the ultimate arbiter of human history, raising up and casting down kingdoms according to His immutable will, a truth powerfully exemplified in Nebuchadnezzar's dream and its interpretation in [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God's Dominion Over Kingdoms"). Furthermore, the passage profoundly emphasizes the **fleeting nature of earthly glory**. The magnificent cedar, despite its grandeur, widespread influence, and its "shadowing shroud" signifying its dominion over others, is ultimately temporary and subject to decay. This stands in sharp contrast to the eternal and unshakeable kingdom of God, a theme echoed in prophecies against other arrogant rulers, such as the king of Babylon in [Isaiah 14:12-15](/isaiah/14-12 "Isaiah 14:12-15 - The Fall of Lucifer").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Assyrian (Hebrew, _ʼAshshûwr'_):** From H804, this term refers to Ashshur, the second son of Shem, and by extension, his descendants, the country they occupied (Assyria), its geographical region, and its vast empire. In the context of Ezekiel 31:3, "the Assyrian" specifically denotes the powerful Assyrian Empire, which serves as the primary historical example of a proud, dominant nation whose ultimate and catastrophic downfall is presented as a cautionary tale for Egypt.
* **Cedar (Hebrew, _ʼerez'_):** From H730, this refers to a cedar tree, particularly one renowned for the tenacity of its roots. The cedar of Lebanon was universally celebrated for its immense size, formidable strength, enduring beauty, and remarkable longevity. Here, it functions as a potent metaphor for Assyria's imposing presence, its deeply entrenched power, and its majestic, seemingly unassailable stature among the nations of the ancient world.
* **Shroud (Hebrew, _chôresh'_):** From H2793, this word can denote a forest, a bough, or a thick covering. When combined with the preceding word "shadowing" (H6751, _tsâlal_), it vividly describes the extensive, dense foliage of the cedar. Metaphorically, this "shadowing shroud" represents the wide-reaching influence, the protective (or oppressive) covering, and the pervasive dominion that Assyria exerted over its numerous vassal states and surrounding territories, casting a literal "shadow" of its power and authority across the ancient Near East.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, the Assyrian [was] a cedar in Lebanon":** This opening clause immediately establishes the central and striking allegory, identifying the once-mighty Assyrian Empire with the most majestic, formidable, and revered tree known in the ancient world—the cedar of Lebanon. The interjection "Behold" (Hebrew: *hinneh*) functions as a rhetorical device, drawing the listener's immediate and profound attention to the significant truth about to be revealed, thereby setting the stage for a vivid and impactful comparison that underscores Assyria's former glory.
* **"with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud":** This phrase elaborates on the cedar's impressive physical qualities, which symbolize Assyria's widespread prosperity, aesthetic beauty, and expansive reach. The "fair branches" speak to its flourishing state, indicative of its vast resources and perhaps the multitude of its dependencies or tributary nations. The "shadowing shroud" powerfully conveys its extensive dominion and the protective (or often oppressive) cover it extended over its subject nations, much like a massive tree provides both shade and shelter to all beneath its sprawling canopy, signifying its pervasive control.
* **"and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs":** This final segment of the verse emphasizes Assyria's unparalleled height, prominence, and perceived invincibility. Its "high stature" denotes its towering position above all other nations, signifying its inherent pride and self-exaltation. The imagery of its "top... among the thick boughs" further accentuates its supreme elevation and widespread influence, suggesting that its power and authority extended even to the most dense, remote, or formidable regions, dominating all that surrounded it with its sheer presence and might.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 31:3 is exceptionally rich with literary artistry, primarily employing **Allegory** as its overarching device. The entire chapter functions as an extended allegorical narrative, where the majestic cedar represents a powerful nation—initially Assyria, and subsequently applied to Egypt. Within this grand allegory, **Simile** is clearly evident in the direct comparison of "the Assyrian" to "a cedar in Lebanon," highlighting shared qualities of grandeur, strength, and imposing power. **Personification** is subtly yet effectively utilized, as the tree is described with human-like attributes such as "high stature" and a "top" (implying a head or apex), thereby imbuing the national entity with a sense of conscious pride and ambition. Furthermore, the verse is replete with profound **Symbolism**: the "cedar in Lebanon" universally symbolizes immense power, enduring beauty, and national pride; "fair branches" represent prosperity, flourishing, and widespread influence; the "shadowing shroud" symbolizes extensive dominion, pervasive control, and the protective (or oppressive) reach of the empire; and "high stature" and "thick boughs" collectively underscore the empire's towering prominence and far-reaching authority. This layered and evocative imagery creates a vivid, memorable, and prophetic picture of a nation's rise to unparalleled glory and subtly foreshadows its inevitable, divinely ordained fall.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 31:3 powerfully illustrates the profound theological truth that all earthly power, glory, and human achievement are ultimately finite, transient, and unequivocally subject to divine judgment. By presenting Assyria, a once-invincible empire, as a magnificent but ultimately vulnerable cedar, the prophet underscores God's absolute and unchallengeable sovereignty over the nations of the world. This verse serves as a profound and timeless warning against national pride, self-sufficiency, and hubris, reminding us that even the most formidable human achievements and empires are temporary and will eventually crumble. The grandeur described is not a testament to enduring strength, but rather a dramatic prelude to a divinely ordained downfall, teaching humanity that true security, lasting significance, and ultimate stability are found only in humble submission to God, not in human might, worldly dominance, or self-exaltation.

* [Daniel 4:10-17](/daniel/4-10 "Daniel 4:10-17 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of the Great Tree")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Isaiah 10:12-19](/isaiah/10-12 "Isaiah 10:12-19 - The Fall of Arrogant Assyria")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 31:3, while deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern history, offers timeless and profoundly relevant lessons for individuals, communities, and nations in every era, including our own. The vivid imagery of the majestic cedar, representing a powerful and proud empire, serves as a profound and sobering warning against the insidious dangers of hubris, self-reliance, and the pursuit of earthly glory as an ultimate end. In a world that frequently glorifies strength, accumulates wealth, and prizes influence above all else, this verse compels us to critically examine where we place our ultimate trust and source of security. Do we, like ancient Assyria, become so enamored with our own achievements, abundant resources, or elevated societal standing that we forget the inherently transient and fleeting nature of all earthly glory? The passage powerfully reminds us that true security, enduring significance, and lasting peace are not found in the accumulation of power, the exercise of dominion, or the building of personal or national empires, but rather in a humble and consistent recognition of God's ultimate and unassailable sovereignty. It challenges us to cultivate genuine humility, acknowledge our absolute dependence on God, and consciously align our aspirations and endeavors with His eternal purposes, rather than pursuing fleeting self-aggrandizement that inevitably leads to a fall.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of a majestic cedar, eventually felled by divine judgment, challenge our contemporary perceptions of power, success, and national strength?**
* **In what specific ways might we, as individuals, families, or communities, be subtly tempted to exhibit the kind of pride and self-reliance that characterized Assyria and led to its dramatic downfall, and what practical steps can we take to guard against such tendencies?**
* **What profound truths does this verse teach us about God's ultimate sovereignty over human history and the rise and fall of empires, and how should this understanding shape our perspective on current global events and our personal walk of faith?**

### FAQ
**Why is Assyria used as an example instead of Egypt directly in this allegory?**

Answer: Ezekiel strategically employs Assyria as a powerful historical precedent and a potent object lesson specifically for Egypt. Assyria was a recently fallen empire, widely known throughout the ancient world for its immense military power, its widespread dominion, and its notorious, self-exalting pride. By first depicting Assyria's magnificent rise to unparalleled heights and its subsequent, catastrophic fall, Ezekiel provides a vivid, undeniable, and recent example that no nation, regardless of its perceived might or invincibility, is exempt from divine judgment. This serves to amplify the warning to Pharaoh, demonstrating that Egypt, which was similarly powerful, arrogant, and prone to self-reliance, faced the exact same fate if it continued in its pride. The broader allegory within [Ezekiel 31](/ezekiel/31 "Ezekiel 31 - The Felled Cedar") then explicitly applies this sobering lesson directly to Egypt's impending downfall.

**What is the profound significance of the "cedar in Lebanon" as a symbol in this prophecy?**

Answer: The "cedar in Lebanon" was universally renowned and highly esteemed in the ancient world for its immense size, formidable strength, enduring beauty, remarkable durability, and exceptional longevity. It was a highly prized tree, frequently used in the construction of royal palaces and sacred temples, such as Solomon's Temple, as referenced in [1 Kings 5:6](/1_kings/5-6 "1 Kings 5:6 - Solomon Requests Cedar from Hiram"). As a symbol, its towering height and widespread, encompassing branches effectively represent Assyria's unparalleled dominance, its majestic presence, and its far-reaching influence over other nations. The specific phrase "shadowing shroud" powerfully highlights the extensive control and the protective (or, more often, oppressive) covering it provided to its numerous vassal states, making it a perfect and evocative metaphor for a formidable, flourishing, yet ultimately vulnerable empire that believed itself unassailable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 31:3, with its vivid depiction of a mighty earthly kingdom as a towering cedar destined for inevitable destruction, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark and glorious contrast between the fleeting glory of human empires and the eternal, humble, and unshakeable kingdom of God established by Jesus Christ. While Assyria's "high stature" and "shadowing shroud" represented worldly dominion built upon conquest, pride, and often brutal subjugation, Christ's kingdom is founded upon radical self-sacrificial love, profound humility, and redemptive grace. The "cedar in Lebanon" ultimately falls, demonstrating the transient and ephemeral nature of all human power and earthly glory, but Christ, though crucified in apparent weakness, was raised in triumphant power and declared to have been given "all authority in heaven and on earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission")). His true "stature" is not one of worldly might or imperial dominance, but of divine supremacy coupled with humble servanthood, as He "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")). The true "shadowing shroud" is not the oppressive dominion of an empire, but the gracious, protective, and life-giving covering of Christ's atoning sacrifice, offering eternal refuge and abundant life to all who believe. Ultimately, the "top" of this earthly cedar is brought low in judgment, but Christ's reign is eternal, unyielding, and ever-expanding, for "the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever" ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord")).

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

Isaiah 10:33

Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature [shall be] hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.

Isaiah 10:34

And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.

Daniel 4:10

Thus [were] the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof [was] great.

Daniel 4:20

The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;

Daniel 4:23

And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and [let] his portion [be] with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;

Ezekiel 17:3

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:

Ezekiel 17:4

He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffick; he set it in a city of merchants.