Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 17

Verse 1

The LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 2

Son of man . See note on Ezekiel 2:1 .

riddle = enigma. Hebrew. chidah = a difficult or per plexing problem put forth for solution. Occurs in Judges 14:1 Judges 14:2 , Judges 14:13 , Judges 14:14 , Judges 14:15 , Judges 14:16 , Judges 14:17 , Judges 14:18 , Judges 14:19 (= riddle). Numbers 12:8 . 1Ki 10:5 . 2 Chronicles 9:1 (= dark sayings). Psalms 49:4 .Proverbs 1:6 , &c. Distinct from a "parable". Compare Psalms 78:2 (= dark sayings). Daniel 8:23 .Habakkuk 2:6 (= "proverb").

parable = the comparing of one thing with another. Not the same as "riddle" (enigma).

Verse 3

the Lord GoD . Hebrew. Adonai Jehovah . See note on Ezekiel 2:4 .

A great eagle. Tho king of Babylon.

longwinged = long-pinioned, as in Ezekiel 17:7 .

feathers = plumage.

the highest branch. Jeleoiachin (i.e. Jeconiah, or Coniah). See Ezekiel 17:12 ; find Jeremiah 22:23 , Jeremiah 22:24 .

Verse 4

top = topmost.

traffick . Babylon.

Verse 5

the seed of the land. Zedokiah. See Ezekiel 17:6 and Ezekiel 17:13 . Nebuchadnezzar did not set up a Chaldean king over Judah, but nourished Zedekiah, as verses: Ezekiel 17:5 , Ezekiel 17:6 show.

Verse 6

turned toward him . Zedekiah being dependent upon Nebuchadnezzar.

Verse 7

another great eagle. Pharaoh Hophra, king of Egypt.

bend her roots : i.e. looked for succour to Egypt. Compare verses: Ezekiel 17:5 , Ezekiel 17:8

water it. From the Nile.

Verse 8

soil = field.

Verse 9

Shall it prosper? &c. This is Jehovah's sentence on the perfidy of Zedekiah in breaking his oath to Nebuchadnezzar. Compare Ezekiel 17:13 and the Structure (S1, S2, S3). Those who interpret this enigma of Zedekiah's daughters are hereby warned that their interpretation shall not prosper. See notes on Ezekiel 17:22 and Ezekiel 17:24 .

spring = sproutings.

Verse 10

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

it : i.e. the vine.

wind . Hebrew. ruach , App-9 .

Verse 12

rebellious house . See note on Ezekiel 2:5 .

Verse 13

taken , &c. Compare 2Ki 24:30 .

covenant . . . oath. See note on Ezekiel 16:59 .

taken an oath . See 2 Chronicles 36:13 .

Verse 14

base = low.

Verse 15

he rebelled , &c. See 2Ki 24:20 . 2 Chronicles 36:13 .

Verse 16

saith the Lord GOD = [is] Adenai Jehovah's oracle.

in the midst of Babylon , &c. Compare Ezekiel 12:13 .

Verse 17

company = gathered force.

make for him = help him

persons = souls. Hebrew. nephesh . App-13 .

Verse 18

lo. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

given his hand. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for making a covenant (2 Kings 10:13 .Ezra 10:19 . Jeremiah 50:15 ).

Verse 20

spread My net upon him. Compare Ezekiel 12:13 ; Ezekiel 32:3 . plead = reckon. Compare Ezekiel 20:36 ; Ezekiel 38:22 .

trespass that he hath trespassed . See note on Ezekiel 15:8 .

Verse 21

all his fugitives. Compare Ezekiel 12:14 .

ye shall know, &c. See note on Ezekiel 6:7 .

Verse 22

the highest branch. Sets forth the restoration of the kingdom in the Messiah.

branch. Compare Jeremiah 23:5 , Jeremiah 23:6 ; Jeremiah 33:15 .Zechariah 3:8 ; Zechariah 6:12 ; and Isaiah 4:2 .

a tender one. Compare Isaiah 11:1 ; Isaiah 53:1 , Isaiah 53:2 , The Chaldee Targum interprets this of the Messiah. Those who interpret this of Zedekiah's "younger daughter" are guilty of substituting her for the Messiah Himself; Whose future kingdom is to be "in the mountain of the height of Israel", and not in any other country; or, during the present dispensation. See notes on or Ezekiel 23:24 .

Verse 23

In the mountain, &c. Compare Isaiah 2:2 , Isaiah 2:3 ; Isaiah 54:1-17 ; Isaiah 62:1-7 .

bring forth boughs = exalt its branch.

Verse 24

I the LORD, &c. He will prosper His work. This is in contrast with verses: Ezekiel 17:9 , Ezekiel 17:10 (S1), and verses: Ezekiel 17:15-21 (S2), which would not prosper.