Ezekiel 31:5

Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth.

Therefore his height {H6967} was exalted {H1361} above all the trees {H6086} of the field {H7704}, and his boughs {H5634} were multiplied {H7235}, and his branches {H6288} became long {H748} because of the multitude {H7227} of waters {H4325}, when he shot forth {H7971}.

So it grew taller than any other tree, its branches grew in number and spread far and wide, for it had plenty of water to make them grow.

Therefore it towered higher than all the trees of the field. Its branches multiplied, and its boughs grew long as it spread them out because of the abundant waters.

Therefore its stature was exalted above all the trees of the field; and its boughs were multiplied, and its branches became long by reason of many waters, when it shot them forth.

Ezekiel 31:5 is part of a vivid parable, or allegory, found in Ezekiel chapter 31, where the prophet Ezekiel compares a great nation—primarily Assyria, but serving as a warning to Pharaoh and Egypt—to a magnificent cedar tree from Lebanon. This particular verse describes the peak of this nation's power and influence, highlighting its immense growth and prosperity.

Historical and Cultural Context

Prophesied during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel often used powerful imagery familiar to his audience. The cedar of Lebanon was renowned throughout the ancient Near East as a symbol of strength, majesty, and beauty. Its towering height and expansive branches represented the vast reach and dominance of a powerful empire. The "multitude of waters" signifies the abundant resources, favorable conditions, and perhaps even the many peoples or tributaries that contributed to this nation's immense wealth and military might, allowing it to flourish beyond all others.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Exalted Pride: The phrase "his height was exalted above all the trees of the field" underscores the nation's immense pride and self-congratulation. It believed itself superior and invincible among all other kingdoms. This echoes a common biblical theme that pride often precedes a fall.
  • Superficial Prosperity: The multiplication of "boughs" and lengthening of "branches" due to abundant water speaks to outward prosperity and expansion. While impressive, the source of this growth was external (the "multitude of waters"), not inherent righteousness, suggesting a dependence on worldly provisions rather than divine favor.
  • Warning Against Arrogance: This description of the cedar's peak is a setup for its inevitable downfall, detailed later in the chapter. It serves as a stark warning to Pharaoh and Egypt, who were similarly exhibiting great pride and trusting in their own strength, that their glory, too, was transient.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "exalted" (רוּם - rum) carries the sense of being high, lifted up, or elevated. In this context, it speaks to both physical height and metaphorical pride. The imagery of a tree shooting forth (שׁלח - shalach) emphasizes vigorous, unchecked growth, implying a rapid expansion of power and influence that seemed unstoppable.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 31:5 offers timeless lessons for individuals and nations alike. It reminds us that:

  • Humility is Key: Any exaltation or success we experience should be tempered with humility, recognizing that all blessings come from a higher source.
  • Beware of Worldly Reliance: Placing our ultimate trust in material resources, military might, or human ingenuity ("multitude of waters") can lead to a false sense of security and eventual downfall.
  • God's Sovereignty: Ultimately, God is the one who "sets up kings and removes kings" (Daniel 2:21). Even the mightiest empires are subject to His will and judgment. This verse, though describing a peak, foreshadows the inevitable judgment that follows unchecked pride and self-reliance, as seen in the fall of the cedar in subsequent verses.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 4:11

    The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:

  • Ezekiel 17:5

    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.

  • Isaiah 36:18

    [Beware] lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, The LORD will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

  • Isaiah 36:19

    Where [are] the gods of Hamath and Arphad? where [are] the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?

  • Isaiah 37:11

    Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them utterly; and shalt thou be delivered?

  • Isaiah 37:13

    Where [is] the king of Hamath, and the king of Arphad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?

  • Psalms 1:3

    And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

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