1 And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first day of the month, that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness?

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.

The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent her little rivers unto all the trees of the field.

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.

All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.

Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters.

The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chestnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty.

I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him.

10 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;

11 I have therefore delivered him into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen; he shall surely deal with him: I have driven him out for his wickedness.

12 And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him.

13 Upon his ruin shall all the fowls of the heaven remain, and all the beasts of the field shall be upon his branches:

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.

15 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.

16 I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that descend into the pit: and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall be comforted in the nether parts of the earth.

17 They also went down into hell with him unto them that be slain with the sword; and they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen.

18 To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord God.

Commentary

Verse 1

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The glory of Assyria.
The falls of others, both into sin and ruin, warn us not to be secure or high-minded. The prophet is to show an instance of one whom the king of Egypt resembled in greatness, the Assyrian, compared to a stately cedar. Those who excel others, make themselves the objects of envy; but the blessings of the heavenly paradise are not liable to such alloy. The utmost security that any creature can give, is but like the shadow of a tree, a scanty and slender protection. But let us flee to God for protection, there we shall be safe. His hand must be owned in the rising of the great men of the earth, and we must not envy them. Though worldly people may seem to have firm prosperity, yet it only seems so.
McArther Bible Commentary
the eleventh year. C. 587/586 B.C. Two months after the oracle of Eze 30:20-26.
Bible Cross References
Jeremiah 52:5 Jeremiah 52:6 Ezekiel 30:20 Ezekiel 30:26 Ezekiel 32:1 Ezekiel 32:17 Ezekiel 33:21

Verse 2

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The glory of Assyria.
The falls of others, both into sin and ruin, warn us not to be secure or high-minded. The prophet is to show an instance of one whom the king of Egypt resembled in greatness, the Assyrian, compared to a stately cedar. Those who excel others, make themselves the objects of envy; but the blessings of the heavenly paradise are not liable to such alloy. The utmost security that any creature can give, is but like the shadow of a tree, a scanty and slender protection. But let us flee to God for protection, there we shall be safe. His hand must be owned in the rising of the great men of the earth, and we must not envy them. Though worldly people may seem to have firm prosperity, yet it only seems so.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
His multitude - His numerous subjects.
McArther Bible Commentary
Whom are you like? Ezekiel filled this chapter with a metaphor/analogy comparing Egypt to a huge tree that dominates a forest to a king/nation that dominates the world (cf. Eze 17:22-24; Dan 4:1-12, Eze 31:19-27). He reasoned that just as a strong tree like Assyria (Eze 31:3) fell (c. 609 B.C.), so will Egypt (c. 568 B.C.). If the Egyptians tend to be proud and feel invincible, let them remember how powerful Assyria had fallen already.
Bible Cross References
Ezekiel 29:15 Ezekiel 29:19 Ezekiel 30:10 Nahum 3:9

Verse 3

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The glory of Assyria.
The falls of others, both into sin and ruin, warn us not to be secure or high-minded. The prophet is to show an instance of one whom the king of Egypt resembled in greatness, the Assyrian, compared to a stately cedar. Those who excel others, make themselves the objects of envy; but the blessings of the heavenly paradise are not liable to such alloy. The utmost security that any creature can give, is but like the shadow of a tree, a scanty and slender protection. But let us flee to God for protection, there we shall be safe. His hand must be owned in the rising of the great men of the earth, and we must not envy them. Though worldly people may seem to have firm prosperity, yet it only seems so.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
A cedar - Like the most goodly cedar for strength and beauty.
McArther Bible Commentary
cedar in Lebanon. The trees were as high as eighty feet and were an example of supreme power and domination, particularly the great cedars which grew in the mountains north of Israel.
Bible Cross References
Psalm 92:12 Isaiah 10:33 Isaiah 10:34 Jeremiah 17:8 Jeremiah 50:18 Ezekiel 17:3 Ezekiel 17:4 Ezekiel 19:11 Ezekiel 31:5 Ezekiel 31:8 Ezekiel 31:10 Ezekiel 31:16 Ezekiel 31:17 Ezekiel 32:22 Daniel 4:10 Daniel 4:20 Zechariah 11:1

Verse 4

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The glory of Assyria.
The falls of others, both into sin and ruin, warn us not to be secure or high-minded. The prophet is to show an instance of one whom the king of Egypt resembled in greatness, the Assyrian, compared to a stately cedar. Those who excel others, make themselves the objects of envy; but the blessings of the heavenly paradise are not liable to such alloy. The utmost security that any creature can give, is but like the shadow of a tree, a scanty and slender protection. But let us flee to God for protection, there we shall be safe. His hand must be owned in the rising of the great men of the earth, and we must not envy them. Though worldly people may seem to have firm prosperity, yet it only seems so.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The waters - Cedars grow great by the water - courses. The deep - The sea sent out her waters, which gave being to the rivers, that watered him. His plants - The provinces of this mighty kingdom, that were like plants about a great tree. All the trees - To all his subjects.
Bible Cross References
Revelation 17:1 Revelation 17:15 Ezekiel 17:5 Ezekiel 17:7 Ezekiel 17:8

Verse 5

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The glory of Assyria.
The falls of others, both into sin and ruin, warn us not to be secure or high-minded. The prophet is to show an instance of one whom the king of Egypt resembled in greatness, the Assyrian, compared to a stately cedar. Those who excel others, make themselves the objects of envy; but the blessings of the heavenly paradise are not liable to such alloy. The utmost security that any creature can give, is but like the shadow of a tree, a scanty and slender protection. But let us flee to God for protection, there we shall be safe. His hand must be owned in the rising of the great men of the earth, and we must not envy them. Though worldly people may seem to have firm prosperity, yet it only seems so.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
All the fowls - All kind of men, nobles, merchants, husbandmen. Made their nests - Settled their habitations. In his boughs - In his kingdom, in the cities and towns of it. All great nations - No nation that was great at that time, but, sought the friendship of this kingdom.
Bible Cross References
Psalm 1:3 Ezekiel 17:5 Ezekiel 31:3 Daniel 4:11

Verse 6

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The glory of Assyria.
The falls of others, both into sin and ruin, warn us not to be secure or high-minded. The prophet is to show an instance of one whom the king of Egypt resembled in greatness, the Assyrian, compared to a stately cedar. Those who excel others, make themselves the objects of envy; but the blessings of the heavenly paradise are not liable to such alloy. The utmost security that any creature can give, is but like the shadow of a tree, a scanty and slender protection. But let us flee to God for protection, there we shall be safe. His hand must be owned in the rising of the great men of the earth, and we must not envy them. Though worldly people may seem to have firm prosperity, yet it only seems so.
Bible Cross References
Matthew 13:32 Mark 4:32 Ezekiel 17:23 Ezekiel 31:7 Ezekiel 31:13 Ezekiel 31:17 Daniel 4:10 Daniel 4:12 Daniel 4:21

Verse 7

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The glory of Assyria.
The falls of others, both into sin and ruin, warn us not to be secure or high-minded. The prophet is to show an instance of one whom the king of Egypt resembled in greatness, the Assyrian, compared to a stately cedar. Those who excel others, make themselves the objects of envy; but the blessings of the heavenly paradise are not liable to such alloy. The utmost security that any creature can give, is but like the shadow of a tree, a scanty and slender protection. But let us flee to God for protection, there we shall be safe. His hand must be owned in the rising of the great men of the earth, and we must not envy them. Though worldly people may seem to have firm prosperity, yet it only seems so.
Bible Cross References
Ezekiel 31:6 Ezekiel 31:8 Daniel 4:12

Verse 8

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The glory of Assyria.
The falls of others, both into sin and ruin, warn us not to be secure or high-minded. The prophet is to show an instance of one whom the king of Egypt resembled in greatness, the Assyrian, compared to a stately cedar. Those who excel others, make themselves the objects of envy; but the blessings of the heavenly paradise are not liable to such alloy. The utmost security that any creature can give, is but like the shadow of a tree, a scanty and slender protection. But let us flee to God for protection, there we shall be safe. His hand must be owned in the rising of the great men of the earth, and we must not envy them. Though worldly people may seem to have firm prosperity, yet it only seems so.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The cedars - The greatest kings. Garden of God - In the most fruitful gardens. Hide - Could not ever top, and shade him. The fir - trees - Lesser kings, and kingdoms, were not equal to his boughs. Nor any tree - All summed up, none like him in all the kingdoms of the world.
McArther Bible Commentary
garden of God … trees of Eden. (Eze 36:35; Gen 13:10; Isa 51:3; Joe 2:3). Since Assyria was in the vicinity of the Garden of Eden, Ezekiel used the ultimate of gardens as a point of relative reference by which to describe tree-like Assyria.
Bible Cross References
Revelation 2:7 Genesis 2:8 Genesis 2:9 Genesis 13:10 Psalm 80:10 Song of Solomon 5:15 Isaiah 51:3 Ezekiel 28:13 Ezekiel 31:3 Ezekiel 31:7 Ezekiel 31:16 Ezekiel 31:18

Verse 9

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The glory of Assyria.
The falls of others, both into sin and ruin, warn us not to be secure or high-minded. The prophet is to show an instance of one whom the king of Egypt resembled in greatness, the Assyrian, compared to a stately cedar. Those who excel others, make themselves the objects of envy; but the blessings of the heavenly paradise are not liable to such alloy. The utmost security that any creature can give, is but like the shadow of a tree, a scanty and slender protection. But let us flee to God for protection, there we shall be safe. His hand must be owned in the rising of the great men of the earth, and we must not envy them. Though worldly people may seem to have firm prosperity, yet it only seems so.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 2:8 Genesis 2:9 Genesis 13:10 Isaiah 51:3 Ezekiel 28:13 Ezekiel 31:16 Ezekiel 31:18 Ezekiel 36:35

Verse 10

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Its fall, and the like for Egypt.
The king of Egypt resembled the king of Assyria in his greatness: here we see he resembles him in his pride. And he shall resemble him in his fall. His own sin brings his ruin. None of our comforts are ever lost, but what have been a thousand times forfeited. When great men fall, many fall with them, as many have fallen before them. The fall of proud men is for warning to others, to keep them humble. See how low Pharaoh lies; and see what all his pomp and pride are come to. It is best to be a lowly tree of righteousness, yielding fruit to the glory of God, and to the good of men. The wicked man is often seen flourishing like the cedar, and spreading like the green bay tree, but he soon passes away, and his place is no more found. Let us then mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.
McArther Bible Commentary
Because you. Ezekiel shifted from the historical illustration of Assyria's pride and fall to the reality of Egypt. God was using Assyria to teach the nations the folly of earthly power and might.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 32:25 Isaiah 10:12 Isaiah 14:13 Isaiah 14:14 Ezekiel 28:17 Ezekiel 31:3 Daniel 4:14 Daniel 5:20

Verse 11

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Its fall, and the like for Egypt.
The king of Egypt resembled the king of Assyria in his greatness: here we see he resembles him in his pride. And he shall resemble him in his fall. His own sin brings his ruin. None of our comforts are ever lost, but what have been a thousand times forfeited. When great men fall, many fall with them, as many have fallen before them. The fall of proud men is for warning to others, to keep them humble. See how low Pharaoh lies; and see what all his pomp and pride are come to. It is best to be a lowly tree of righteousness, yielding fruit to the glory of God, and to the good of men. The wicked man is often seen flourishing like the cedar, and spreading like the green bay tree, but he soon passes away, and his place is no more found. Let us then mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Him - The proud king of Assyria, Sardanapalus. The mighty one - Arbaces, who first struck at the root of this Cedar, might well be styled the mighty one of the heathen, since he could bring together four hundred thousand of Medes, Persians, Babylonians, and Arabians.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 3:24 Deuteronomy 18:12 Psalm 119:126 Jeremiah 50:18 Ezekiel 30:10 Ezekiel 30:11 Ezekiel 32:11 Ezekiel 32:12 Daniel 5:18 Daniel 5:19 Nahum 3:18

Verse 12

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Its fall, and the like for Egypt.
The king of Egypt resembled the king of Assyria in his greatness: here we see he resembles him in his pride. And he shall resemble him in his fall. His own sin brings his ruin. None of our comforts are ever lost, but what have been a thousand times forfeited. When great men fall, many fall with them, as many have fallen before them. The fall of proud men is for warning to others, to keep them humble. See how low Pharaoh lies; and see what all his pomp and pride are come to. It is best to be a lowly tree of righteousness, yielding fruit to the glory of God, and to the good of men. The wicked man is often seen flourishing like the cedar, and spreading like the green bay tree, but he soon passes away, and his place is no more found. Let us then mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Strangers - Foreigners.
Bible Cross References
Ezekiel 7:21 Ezekiel 28:7 Ezekiel 30:11 Ezekiel 30:12 Ezekiel 31:17 Ezekiel 32:5 Ezekiel 32:12 Ezekiel 35:8 Daniel 4:14 Nahum 3:17 Nahum 3:18 Habakkuk 1:6

Verse 13

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Its fall, and the like for Egypt.
The king of Egypt resembled the king of Assyria in his greatness: here we see he resembles him in his pride. And he shall resemble him in his fall. His own sin brings his ruin. None of our comforts are ever lost, but what have been a thousand times forfeited. When great men fall, many fall with them, as many have fallen before them. The fall of proud men is for warning to others, to keep them humble. See how low Pharaoh lies; and see what all his pomp and pride are come to. It is best to be a lowly tree of righteousness, yielding fruit to the glory of God, and to the good of men. The wicked man is often seen flourishing like the cedar, and spreading like the green bay tree, but he soon passes away, and his place is no more found. Let us then mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.
Bible Cross References
Isaiah 18:6 Ezekiel 29:5 Ezekiel 31:6 Ezekiel 32:4 Daniel 4:14

Verse 14

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Its fall, and the like for Egypt.
The king of Egypt resembled the king of Assyria in his greatness: here we see he resembles him in his pride. And he shall resemble him in his fall. His own sin brings his ruin. None of our comforts are ever lost, but what have been a thousand times forfeited. When great men fall, many fall with them, as many have fallen before them. The fall of proud men is for warning to others, to keep them humble. See how low Pharaoh lies; and see what all his pomp and pride are come to. It is best to be a lowly tree of righteousness, yielding fruit to the glory of God, and to the good of men. The wicked man is often seen flourishing like the cedar, and spreading like the green bay tree, but he soon passes away, and his place is no more found. Let us then mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
To the end - All this is designed to be a warning to mortals. All the trees - The emperors, kings, or flourishing states. By the waters - Planted most commodiously, and furnished most abundantly with power and wealth. The children of men - As common men, of no quality or distinction.
McArther Bible Commentary
the Pit. The scene shifts from earth and the garden of God to the grave (cf. Eze 32:18), as God again refers to the destruction of Assyria and all her allies ("all the trees," "all that drink water").
Bible Cross References
Matthew 11:23 Ephesians 4:9 Numbers 16:30 Numbers 16:33 Psalm 63:9 Psalm 82:7 Ezekiel 26:20 Ezekiel 31:18 Ezekiel 32:18 Ezekiel 32:24 Amos 9:2 Jonah 2:2 Jonah 2:6

Verse 15

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Its fall, and the like for Egypt.
The king of Egypt resembled the king of Assyria in his greatness: here we see he resembles him in his pride. And he shall resemble him in his fall. His own sin brings his ruin. None of our comforts are ever lost, but what have been a thousand times forfeited. When great men fall, many fall with them, as many have fallen before them. The fall of proud men is for warning to others, to keep them humble. See how low Pharaoh lies; and see what all his pomp and pride are come to. It is best to be a lowly tree of righteousness, yielding fruit to the glory of God, and to the good of men. The wicked man is often seen flourishing like the cedar, and spreading like the green bay tree, but he soon passes away, and his place is no more found. Let us then mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
He - The king of Assyria. A mourning - There was much lamentation. Fainted - Probably there were portentous signs in the sea, and great waters, and the rivers, and among the trees.
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 1:21 Ezekiel 32:7 Nahum 2:10

Verse 16

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Its fall, and the like for Egypt.
The king of Egypt resembled the king of Assyria in his greatness: here we see he resembles him in his pride. And he shall resemble him in his fall. His own sin brings his ruin. None of our comforts are ever lost, but what have been a thousand times forfeited. When great men fall, many fall with them, as many have fallen before them. The fall of proud men is for warning to others, to keep them humble. See how low Pharaoh lies; and see what all his pomp and pride are come to. It is best to be a lowly tree of righteousness, yielding fruit to the glory of God, and to the good of men. The wicked man is often seen flourishing like the cedar, and spreading like the green bay tree, but he soon passes away, and his place is no more found. Let us then mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Shake - All that heard the noise of his fall, trembled at it. Cast him down - Brought the king and kingdom, as a dead man to the grave among them, that before were dead and buried. All the trees - All kings, and particularly the greatest. All that drink water - Enjoyed great power, riches, and glory. Comforted - He speaks to the dead with allusion to the manner of the living, who rejoice to see the proud brought low.
Bible Cross References
Isaiah 14:8 Isaiah 14:15 Jeremiah 50:46 Ezekiel 14:22 Ezekiel 14:23 Ezekiel 26:15 Ezekiel 27:28 Ezekiel 31:3 Ezekiel 31:8 Ezekiel 31:9 Ezekiel 32:18 Ezekiel 32:22 Ezekiel 32:31 Habakkuk 2:17 Haggai 2:7

Verse 17

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Its fall, and the like for Egypt.
The king of Egypt resembled the king of Assyria in his greatness: here we see he resembles him in his pride. And he shall resemble him in his fall. His own sin brings his ruin. None of our comforts are ever lost, but what have been a thousand times forfeited. When great men fall, many fall with them, as many have fallen before them. The fall of proud men is for warning to others, to keep them humble. See how low Pharaoh lies; and see what all his pomp and pride are come to. It is best to be a lowly tree of righteousness, yielding fruit to the glory of God, and to the good of men. The wicked man is often seen flourishing like the cedar, and spreading like the green bay tree, but he soon passes away, and his place is no more found. Let us then mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
They also - His neighbouring kings. Hell - Perished with him, and went to those whom God had slain for their pride and wickedness. They that were his arm - His loyal and faithful subjects and friends, on whom he relied, and by whom he acted.
Bible Cross References
Psalm 9:17 Ezekiel 31:3 Ezekiel 31:6 Ezekiel 31:12 Ezekiel 32:20 Daniel 4:12

Verse 18

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Its fall, and the like for Egypt.
The king of Egypt resembled the king of Assyria in his greatness: here we see he resembles him in his pride. And he shall resemble him in his fall. His own sin brings his ruin. None of our comforts are ever lost, but what have been a thousand times forfeited. When great men fall, many fall with them, as many have fallen before them. The fall of proud men is for warning to others, to keep them humble. See how low Pharaoh lies; and see what all his pomp and pride are come to. It is best to be a lowly tree of righteousness, yielding fruit to the glory of God, and to the good of men. The wicked man is often seen flourishing like the cedar, and spreading like the green bay tree, but he soon passes away, and his place is no more found. Let us then mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Yet - Thou shalt be like them in thy fall. Thou shalt lie - As unclean, despised, loathsome and under a curse. This is - This will be their end.
McArther Bible Commentary
will you … be likened? Egypt, like all the other great nations including Assyria, will be felled by God. Key Word Glory: Eze 1:28; Eze 3:23; Eze 9:3; Eze 10:18; Eze 31:18; Eze 43:2; Eze 44:4-derived from a Hebrew verb which is used to describe the weight or worthiness of something. It can refer to something negative. For example, in reference to Sodom, it depicts the severe degree of sin that had reached the point of making that city worthy of complete destruction (Gen 18:20). But usually the word is used to depict greatness and splendor (Gen 31:1). The noun form is translated "honor" in some instances (1Ki 3:13). God's glory is described in the Old Testament as taking the form of a cloud (Exo 24:15-18) and filling the temple (1Ki 8:11). The appropriate response to God's glory is to reverence Him by bowing before Him, as Ezekiel did (Eze 3:23; Eze 43:3).
Bible Cross References
Matthew 13:19 Psalm 52:7 Jeremiah 9:25 Jeremiah 9:26 Ezekiel 28:10 Ezekiel 31:8 Ezekiel 31:9 Ezekiel 31:14 Ezekiel 32:19 Ezekiel 32:21 Ezekiel 32:24