Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 31

Verses 1-18

The fifth prophecy was directed against the greatness of Pharaoh. Ezekiel was commanded to address himself to Pharaoh and his multitudes. This he did, first by describing his greatness. He fist asked, "Whom art thou like in thy greatness?" To this inquiry he replied by describing the greatness of the Assyrian, the intention evidently being that Pharaoh should apply that description to himself. The greatness of Assyria was set forth under the figure of a stately tree in Lebanon, overtopping all the rest, nourished by the waters that ran about its roots, so great that all the fowls took refuge in its branches and the beasts of the earth beneath its shadow, so fair that all the trees of Eden envied him.

The prophet then foretold the destruction of this greatness, first by the same figure, and then by a graphic and awful picture of the descent of Pharaoh into Sheol. The fallen tree, with its broken branches lying by all the water courses, so that the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the ruin and the beasts lay down on the branches, set forth the earthly side of the destruction of Egypt. So great had the power of Egypt been that when Pharaoh and his hosts descended to the underworld all nature was moved. The waters were stayed, and Lebanon mourned, while yet the trees of Eden were comforted. The direct application of these figures to Pharaoh closed the fifth prophecy.