Ezekiel 31:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 31:5 vividly portrays the apex of a great nation's power, allegorically depicted as a magnificent cedar of Lebanon. This verse describes the tree's unparalleled height, luxuriant boughs, and extended branches, all flourishing due to an abundance of water. It captures the zenith of imperial might and prosperity, setting the stage for the subsequent divine judgment against its pride and self-sufficiency, serving as a prophetic warning to Pharaoh and Egypt.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 31 is part of a series of prophetic oracles against foreign nations, specifically targeting Egypt. The chapter presents an extended allegory comparing Egypt (and by extension, Assyria, whose fall is recounted as a cautionary tale) to a majestic cedar tree. This verse marks the climax of the cedar's glory, describing its immense growth and dominance. The preceding verses introduce the allegory, while the subsequent verses detail the cedar's dramatic downfall, emphasizing that even the mightiest empires are subject to God's sovereign judgment. This narrative structure highlights the transient nature of worldly power when divorced from divine favor, a recurring theme throughout [the book of Ezekiel](/ezekiel/1 "The Book of Ezekiel").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy was delivered during the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BC), a time when Judah was caught between the competing powers of Babylon and Egypt. The cedar of Lebanon was a potent symbol in the ancient Near East, renowned for its immense size, longevity, and valuable timber, often used in royal and sacred architecture. It represented strength, majesty, and divine favor. The "multitude of waters" would have been understood by Ezekiel's audience as a metaphor for abundant resources, fertile lands, strategic alliances, and the numerous tributary nations that contributed to an empire's prosperity and military might. For Egypt, this imagery would readily evoke the life-giving Nile River, the source of its agricultural wealth and a symbol of its self-sufficiency.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. Foremost is the theme of **divine judgment against human pride and arrogance**. The cedar's exalted height and expansive growth directly reflect the nation's self-exaltation and belief in its own invincible power, a hubris that inevitably invites God's wrath, as seen in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction"). Another theme is the **transience of worldly power**. Despite its unparalleled glory, the cedar's strength is ultimately superficial, dependent on external "waters" rather than inherent righteousness or divine blessing. This sets up the stark contrast with God's enduring sovereignty over all nations, a truth powerfully articulated in [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God Rules Over the Kingdoms of Men"). The verse also touches on the theme of **imperial overreach and its consequences**, illustrating how unchecked expansion and self-reliance lead to a catastrophic fall, a pattern seen throughout biblical history and prophetic warnings against nations like Assyria and Babylon.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **height (Hebrew, _qôwmâh'_):** From the root meaning "to rise," this word denotes physical stature or elevation. In this context, it emphasizes the tree's extraordinary vertical growth, symbolizing the nation's unparalleled eminence and perceived superiority among all other kingdoms. It speaks to both its physical dominion and its metaphorical standing.
* **exalted (Hebrew, _gâbahh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to soar" or "to be lofty," this term carries connotations of being high, lifted up, or elevated. While it describes the literal height of the tree, it also strongly implies a figurative sense of haughtiness and pride. The nation's "exaltation" is not merely a statement of fact but an indictment of its self-glory.
* **multitude (Hebrew, _rab'_):** This word signifies abundance in quantity, size, or number. When paired with "waters," it underscores the vast and overflowing resources, peoples, or favorable conditions that fueled the cedar's extraordinary growth. It suggests an overwhelming supply that enabled unparalleled prosperity and expansion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field":** This clause immediately establishes the cedar's supreme dominance. "His height" refers to the metaphorical nation's stature and influence, which had grown to such an extent that it towered over "all the trees of the field," symbolizing other nations or kingdoms. The verb "was exalted" (or "lifted up") conveys a sense of unparalleled elevation and preeminence, implying a position of unchallenged power and pride.
* **"and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long":** This part describes the horizontal expansion and proliferation of the cedar's influence. "Boughs" (or twigs) and "branches" represent the nation's various extensions of power, its military reach, economic networks, or the peoples under its sway. Their multiplication and lengthening signify vigorous, unchecked growth and a vast, ever-expanding dominion.
* **"because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth":** This final clause identifies the source and vigor of the cedar's growth. The "multitude of waters" symbolizes the abundant resources, favorable conditions, and perhaps the many peoples or tributaries that nourished this empire. The phrase "when he shot forth" (or "when it put out its shoots") emphasizes the initial, rapid, and seemingly unstoppable burst of growth and expansion that led to its current magnificent state.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Ezekiel 31:5, and indeed the entire chapter, is **Allegory**. The cedar tree functions as an extended metaphor for a powerful nation, specifically Assyria, but with a direct application as a warning to Egypt. Every aspect of the tree—its height, boughs, branches, and the waters that nourish it—symbolizes elements of the empire's power, expansion, and the sources of its strength. Within this allegory, there is rich **Symbolism**: the "cedar of Lebanon" symbolizes majesty, strength, and often pride; the "trees of the field" represent other nations; and the "multitude of waters" symbolizes abundant resources, alliances, or even the peoples subjugated by the empire. The language also contains elements of **Hyperbole**, as the description of the cedar's unparalleled height "above all the trees of the field" emphasizes its perceived, almost exaggerated, dominance. Furthermore, the verse serves as **Foreshadowing**, as this description of the cedar's peak glory sets up the dramatic and inevitable downfall that is detailed in the subsequent verses of the chapter, highlighting the transient nature of such earthly power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 31:5 powerfully illustrates the theological truth that all earthly power and glory are ultimately transient and subject to God's sovereign will. The description of the cedar's unparalleled exaltation, while seemingly celebrating its might, subtly critiques the pride and self-reliance that often accompany such power. The "multitude of waters" represents a worldly source of strength, implying that the nation's prosperity was rooted in material abundance and human alliances rather than divine blessing or righteousness. This sets up the inevitable judgment, demonstrating that God opposes the proud and brings down those who exalt themselves above Him. The verse underscores the biblical principle that true and lasting strength comes only from dependence on God, not from accumulated resources or military might.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Isaiah 14:12-15](/isaiah/14-15 "Isaiah 14:12-15 - The Fall of the Morning Star")
* [Daniel 4:30-33](/daniel/4-30 "Daniel 4:30-33 - Nebuchadnezzar's Humiliation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 31:5 offers a profound mirror for both individuals and nations in any age. It challenges us to examine the sources of our perceived strength and success. Are we like the cedar, drawing our sustenance from a "multitude of waters"—be it wealth, status, influence, or human approval—and allowing these external factors to inflate our sense of self-importance? The warning is clear: any height achieved through pride and self-sufficiency, without acknowledging God as the ultimate source of all blessing, is precarious and destined for a fall. This verse calls us to cultivate humility, recognizing that true flourishing comes not from outcompeting others or accumulating vast resources, but from a posture of dependence on God and adherence to His righteous ways. It encourages us to evaluate whether our "branches" are extending in ways that glorify God or merely serve our own ambition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "multitude of waters" in my life that I might be trusting in for growth and security, rather than God?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to "exalt my height above all the trees of the field," comparing myself to others and fostering pride?**
* **How can I actively cultivate humility and a greater dependence on God in my daily life and pursuits?**

### FAQ
**Who does the cedar tree in Ezekiel 31:5 primarily represent, and why is it so exalted?**

Answer: The cedar tree in Ezekiel 31:5 primarily represents the nation of Assyria, whose past glory and subsequent downfall are recounted as a cautionary tale. However, the entire allegory, including this verse, is directly applied as a prophetic warning to Pharaoh and the nation of Egypt. The cedar is depicted as so exalted because it symbolizes the pinnacle of imperial power, military might, and economic prosperity that these nations achieved. Its unparalleled height and expansive growth reflect their perceived invincibility and dominance over all surrounding kingdoms, fueled by abundant resources and strategic alliances, which the text metaphorically calls "a multitude of waters."

**What is the significance of the "multitude of waters" in this verse?**

Answer: The "multitude of waters" is a powerful symbolic image in Ezekiel 31:5. It signifies the abundant resources, fertile lands, and numerous tributary nations or peoples that contributed to the cedar's (i.e., the empire's) immense wealth, power, and rapid expansion. For Egypt, it would specifically evoke the life-giving Nile River, which was the source of its agricultural prosperity and a symbol of its self-sufficiency. More broadly, it represents any worldly source of strength, sustenance, or influence that enables a nation or individual to flourish, often leading to a false sense of security and pride, as seen in the warnings against trusting in human strength rather than divine favor in [Psalm 20:7](/psalm/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Some Trust in Chariots").

**How does Ezekiel 31:5 set the stage for the rest of the chapter?**

Answer: Ezekiel 31:5 is crucial because it establishes the magnificent peak of the cedar's (and thus the empire's) power and pride, creating a dramatic contrast with its inevitable and catastrophic downfall described in the subsequent verses of the chapter. By detailing the cedar's unrivaled height, multiplied boughs, and long branches, the verse highlights the extent of its self-exaltation and worldly glory. This sets up the theological message that even the mightiest and most seemingly invincible earthly powers are ultimately fragile and subject to God's judgment when they succumb to arrogance and fail to acknowledge His sovereignty. The greater the exaltation, the more profound the fall, as elaborated in [Ezekiel 31:10-14](/ezekiel/31-10 "Ezekiel 31:10-14 - The Fall of the Cedar").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 31:5, with its depiction of a proud, self-exalting cedar, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a parallel, but in a profound contrast. The cedar's height was "exalted above all the trees of the field" due to a "multitude of waters," symbolizing worldly power and resources that lead to a transient glory and eventual judgment. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ, though truly divine and eternally exalted in His very nature, chose the path of profound humility. He did not "shoot forth" by worldly means or rely on a "multitude of waters" for His growth or influence. Instead, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, and humbled Himself even to the point of death on a cross, as described in [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience"). His "growth" was in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man ([Luke 2:52](/luke/2-52 "Luke 2:52 - Jesus' Growth")), rooted in perfect obedience to the Father, not in earthly might. The cedar's branches provided shade for the birds of the air, but Jesus is the true [Tree of Life](/revelation/22-2 "Revelation 22:2 - The Tree of Life") whose sacrifice provides eternal life and shelter for all who come to Him. His kingdom is not of this world, nor does it rise and fall like the empires of men ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom Is Not of This World")). While the cedar's exaltation led to its demise, Christ's voluntary humiliation led to His ultimate and eternal exaltation by God, "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus Exalted by God")). He is the true and enduring King, whose reign is not built on fleeting worldly power but on divine righteousness and sacrificial love.

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

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.