Ezekiel 31:3
“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.”
Ezekiel 31:3 in 7 translations
- KJVKing James Version
- 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.
- DRADouay–Rheims
- Behold, the Assyrian was like a cedar in Libanus, with fair branches, and full of leaves, of a high stature, and his top was elevated among the thick boughs.
- ASVAmerican 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.
- DARBYDarby
- Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, with fair branches and a shadowing shroud, and of a high stature: and his top was amidst the thick boughs.
- WEBThe World English Bible
- Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with beautiful branches, and with a forest-like shade, and of high stature; and its top was among the thick boughs.
- YLTYoung's Literal Translation
- Lo, Asshur, a cedar in Lebanon, Fair in branch, and shading bough, and high in stature, And between thickets hath its foliage been.
- BPVBiblePics Version
- Look, the Assyrian was like a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches and a wide canopy, towering high; its top reached among the thick boughs.
Context: Ezekiel 31
1And 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,
2Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness?
3Behold, 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.
4The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field.
5Therefore 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.
About Ezekiel 31: The Fall of Pharaoh
In Ezekiel 31, the prophet receives a message from God about the downfall of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Using the metaphor of a great cedar tree, God describes how Pharaoh's power and pride will be stripped away, and he will be brought low like an ordinary human.
Commentary
This chapter illustrates the contrast between human pride and God's sovereignty. Pharaoh thought he was invincible, but God revealed his ultimate power and authority. The image of the tree is a common metaphor in the Bible, representing strength and stability. In this case, however, the mighty cedar falls, reminding us that no one is above God's judgment. This chapter is a warning to all who think they can rule without accountability, that worldly power and greatness are fleeting, but God's justice lasts forever.