Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 17

Introduction

Overview

Ezekiel 17:1, Under the parable of two eagles and a vine, Ezekiel 17:11. is shewn God’s judgment upon Jerusalem for revolting from Babylon to Egypt; Ezekiel 17:22, God promises to plant the cedar of the Gospel.

Verse 2

Ezekiel 20:49, Judges 9:8-15, Judges 14:12-19, 2 Samuel 12:1-4, Hosea 12:10, Matthew 13:13, Matthew 13:14, Matthew 13:35, Mark 4:33, Mark 4:34, 1 Corinthians 13:12

Reciprocal: Numbers 12:8 - dark speeches Numbers 23:7 - he took Jeremiah 23:5 - Branch Ezekiel 2:1 - Son Ezekiel 24:3 - utter Matthew 13:24 - put Mark 12:15 - Why Luke 14:7 - put

Verse 3

A great: Nebuchadnezzar, so called from his towering ambition and rapaciousness. Ezekiel 17:7, Ezekiel 17:12-21, Deuteronomy 28:49, Jeremiah 4:13, Jeremiah 48:40, Jeremiah 49:16, Lamentations 4:19, Hosea 8:1, Matthew 24:28

great wings: Extensive empire, both in length and breadth. Daniel 2:38, Daniel 4:22, Daniel 7:4

full: Numerous subjects, of various nations, and of different languages and manners.

divers colours: Heb. embroidering

came: Came against Judah and Jerusalem. Ezekiel 17:12, 2 Kings 24:10-16, 2 Chronicles 36:9, 2 Chronicles 36:10, Jeremiah 22:23-28, Jeremiah 24:1

the highest: Jeconiah, whom he took captive to Babylon.

the cedar: The royal and ancient family of David.

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:11 - fowls Deuteronomy 28:48 - serve Judges 9:8 - The trees Job 14:9 - and bring Isaiah 8:8 - the stretching Ezekiel 15:6 - General Ezekiel 31:3 - a cedar Daniel 7:6 - four wings Habakkuk 1:8 - they

Verse 4

the top: The princes of Judah.

into: Isaiah 43:14, Isaiah 47:15, Jeremiah 51:13, Revelation 18:3, Revelation 18:11-19

a land: Chaldea

a city: Babylon, which by means of the Euphrates and Tigris, had communications with the richest and most distant nations.

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:34 - traffic Ezekiel 31:3 - a cedar

Verse 5

the seed: Zedekiah, brother to Jeconiah. Ezekiel 17:13, 2 Kings 24:17, Jeremiah 37:1

planted it in a fruitful field: Heb. put it in a field of seed, Made him king of Judea. Deuteronomy 8:7-9

he placed: Made him dependent on Babylon, the city of great waters, as the willow is on humidity. Ezekiel 19:11, Ezekiel 19:12, Isaiah 15:7, Isaiah 44:4

Reciprocal: Job 40:22 - the willows Jeremiah 11:17 - that Jeremiah 12:2 - hast Ezekiel 17:8 - soil Ezekiel 31:4 - waters Hosea 14:6 - branches

Verse 6

it grew: Ezekiel 17:14, Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 16:19

whose: The Jewish state had then no height of dominion; and Zedekiah was wholly dependent on Nebuchadnezzar.

Reciprocal: Psalms 44:2 - how thou didst afflict Psalms 80:8 - a vine Isaiah 18:5 - General Ezekiel 17:8 - soil Ezekiel 19:10 - like Ezekiel 29:15 - the basest

Verse 7

another: Pharaoh-hophra, or Apries, king of Egypt. Ezekiel 17:15, 2 Kings 24:20, 2 Chronicles 26:13, Jeremiah 37:5-7

did bend: Looked to him for support, in his intended rebellion.

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:11 - fowls Deuteronomy 28:48 - serve Ezekiel 17:3 - A great

Verse 8

soil: Heb. field, Ezekiel 17:5, Ezekiel 17:6

and that: Though he was dependent on Babylon, yet he was in such a situation as would have enabled him to reign in credit, and be useful to his people.

Reciprocal: Job 15:32 - and his branch Psalms 1:3 - tree Ezekiel 31:4 - waters

Verse 9

Shall it: Shall he succeed in casting off the yoke of the king of Babylon, to whom he had sworn fealty? Ezekiel 17:10, Ezekiel 17:15-17, Numbers 14:41, 2 Chronicles 13:12, 2 Chronicles 20:20, Isaiah 8:9, Isaiah 8:10, Isaiah 30:1-7, Isaiah 31:1-3, Jeremiah 32:5

shall he: He shall come and dethrone him, and carry him captive. 2 Kings 25:4-7, Jeremiah 21:4-7, Jeremiah 24:8-10, Jeremiah 29:4-7, Jeremiah 52:7-11

the fruit: The children of Zedekiah.

even: Jeremiah 37:10

Reciprocal: Isaiah 1:30 - ye shall be Daniel 11:27 - but John 15:6 - he

Verse 10

shall it: Ezekiel 19:12-14, Hosea 12:1, Hosea 13:15, Matthew 21:19, Mark 11:20, John 15:6, Jude 1:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:6 - blasted Isaiah 1:30 - ye shall be Jeremiah 4:11 - A Jeremiah 32:5 - though Ezekiel 17:9 - Shall it Ezekiel 17:16 - even Habakkuk 1:9 - their faces shall sup up as the east

Verse 11

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 36:13 - rebelled Psalms 88:9 - stretched Jeremiah 24:8 - So will Jeremiah 27:12 - Zedekiah

Verse 12

to the: Ezekiel 2:5, Ezekiel 2:8, Ezekiel 3:9, Ezekiel 12:9, Isaiah 1:2

Know: Ezekiel 24:19, Exodus 12:26, Deuteronomy 6:20, Joshua 4:6, Joshua 4:21, Matthew 13:51, Matthew 15:16, Matthew 15:17, Matthew 16:11, Mark 4:13, Luke 9:45, Acts 8:30

Behold: Ezekiel 17:3, Ezekiel 1:2, 2 Kings 24:10-16, 2 Chronicles 36:9, 2 Chronicles 36:10, Jeremiah 22:24-28

and led: Isaiah 39:7, Jeremiah 52:31-34

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 28:48 - serve Deuteronomy 28:49 - as the eagle Joshua 9:20 - lest wrath 2 Kings 24:12 - Jehoiachin Ezra 4:12 - rebellious Jeremiah 29:16 - General Jeremiah 37:1 - made Ezekiel 12:2 - thou Ezekiel 18:2 - mean Ezekiel 24:3 - the rebellious Ezekiel 37:18 - Wilt Habakkuk 1:8 - they

Verse 13

hath taken: Ezekiel 17:5, 2 Kings 24:17, Jeremiah 37:1

taken an oath of him: Heb. brought him to an oath, 2 Chronicles 36:13, Jeremiah 5:2

he hath also: 2 Kings 24:15, 2 Kings 24:16, Jeremiah 24:1, Jeremiah 29:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:27 - made Joshua 6:22 - as ye sware unto her 1 Samuel 11:1 - Make 1 Samuel 30:15 - Swear 1 Kings 15:19 - break thy league 2 Kings 17:4 - found conspiracy Ezra 4:19 - and it is found Ecclesiastes 8:2 - in regard Jeremiah 32:4 - General Jeremiah 41:1 - seed Ezekiel 12:10 - prince Ezekiel 16:59 - which Ezekiel 21:23 - to them that have sworn oaths Daniel 11:23 - work Hosea 10:4 - swearing Zechariah 5:3 - sweareth

Verse 14

the kingdom: Ezekiel 17:6, Ezekiel 29:14, Deuteronomy 28:43, 1 Samuel 2:7, 1 Samuel 2:30, Nehemiah 9:36, Nehemiah 9:37, Lamentations 5:10, Matthew 22:17-21

base: Or, low; a tributary kingdom, dependent on the king of Babylon.

but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand: Heb. to keep his covenant, to stand to it, Jeremiah 27:12-17, Jeremiah 38:17

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 24:14 - the poorest sort Ezekiel 26:7 - a king Ezekiel 29:15 - the basest

Verse 15

he rebelled: Ezekiel 17:7, 2 Kings 24:20, 2 Chronicles 36:13, Jeremiah 52:3

in: Deuteronomy 17:16, Isaiah 30:1-4, Isaiah 31:1-3, Isaiah 36:6-9, Jeremiah 37:5-7

Shall he prosper: Ezekiel 17:9, Deuteronomy 29:12-15, Jeremiah 22:29, Jeremiah 22:30

shall he escape: Ezekiel 17:18, Ezekiel 21:25, Proverbs 19:5, Jeremiah 32:4, Jeremiah 34:3, Jeremiah 38:18, Jeremiah 38:23, Matthew 23:33, Hebrews 2:3

or shall: Psalms 55:23

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:4 - they rebelled 2 Kings 17:4 - king of Egypt 2 Kings 18:24 - thy trust Isaiah 28:18 - your covenant Isaiah 36:5 - that Jeremiah 2:18 - what hast Jeremiah 2:37 - for the Lord Jeremiah 25:35 - the shepherds Jeremiah 27:3 - the messengers Jeremiah 32:5 - though Jeremiah 39:5 - gave judgment upon him Jeremiah 42:19 - Go Ezekiel 7:27 - king Ezekiel 23:20 - General Ezekiel 29:7 - they took Ezekiel 29:16 - the confidence Romans 2:3 - that thou shalt 2 Timothy 3:3 - trucebreakers

Verse 16

whose oath: Ezekiel 17:18, Ezekiel 17:19, Ezekiel 16:59, Exodus 20:7, Numbers 30:2, Joshua 9:20, 2 Samuel 21:2, Psalms 15:4, Exodus 8:2, Hosea 10:4, Zechariah 5:3, Zechariah 5:4, Malachi 3:5, Romans 1:31, 1 Timothy 1:10, 2 Timothy 3:3

even: Ezekiel 17:10, Ezekiel 12:13, Jeremiah 32:4, Jeremiah 32:5, Jeremiah 34:3-5, Jeremiah 39:7, Jeremiah 52:11

Reciprocal: Joshua 6:22 - as ye sware unto her 1 Samuel 30:15 - Swear 2 Kings 25:7 - bound him Psalms 55:20 - broken Jeremiah 34:5 - But thou Jeremiah 34:16 - polluted Jeremiah 34:21 - Zedekiah Jeremiah 52:2 - he did Hebrews 6:16 - an oath

Verse 17

shall: Ezekiel 29:6, Ezekiel 29:7, Isaiah 36:6, Jeremiah 37:7, Lamentations 4:17

by: Ezekiel 4:2, Jeremiah 33:5, Jeremiah 52:4

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 20:20 - thou shalt build 2 Kings 18:24 - thy trust Daniel 11:15 - cast up Daniel 11:17 - upright ones

Verse 18

Seeing: Though Zedekiah's oath had been given to a heathen, a conqueror, and a tyrant, yet God considered the violation of it a most aggravated sin against Him, and determined to punish him for it.

he: 1 Chronicles 29:24, 2 Chronicles 30:8, *marg. Lamentations 5:6

he shall: Ezekiel 17:15

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:4 - to do evil Joshua 6:22 - as ye sware unto her 1 Kings 2:43 - Why 2 Kings 10:15 - give me 2 Chronicles 16:3 - break Ecclesiastes 9:2 - feareth Jeremiah 25:35 - the shepherds Jeremiah 34:3 - and thine Jeremiah 50:15 - she hath Lamentations 2:6 - the king Lamentations 4:20 - was taken Ezekiel 14:10 - they shall Ezekiel 17:16 - whose oath Ezekiel 19:14 - fire Daniel 11:7 - and shall prevail Romans 2:3 - that thou shalt Hebrews 2:3 - How

Verse 19

surely: Ezekiel 21:23-27, Deuteronomy 5:11, Jeremiah 5:2, Jeremiah 5:9, Jeremiah 7:9-15

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:4 - to do evil Joshua 6:22 - as ye sware unto her 1 Samuel 30:15 - Swear 1 Kings 2:43 - Why 1 Kings 2:44 - return 2 Chronicles 16:3 - break Ecclesiastes 9:2 - feareth Jeremiah 27:8 - that nation Jeremiah 37:17 - thou shalt Ezekiel 17:16 - whose oath Ezekiel 21:25 - profane

Verse 20

I will spread: Ezekiel 12:13, Ezekiel 32:3, Joshua 10:16-18, 2 Samuel 18:9, 2 Chronicles 33:11, Job 10:16, Ecclesiastes 9:12, Jeremiah 39:5-7, Lamentations 1:13, Lamentations 4:20, Hosea 7:12, Luke 21:35

plead: Ezekiel 20:35, Ezekiel 20:36, Ezekiel 38:22, Jeremiah 2:9, Jeremiah 2:35, Jeremiah 50:44, Hosea 2:2, Micah 6:2

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 25:6 - they took Isaiah 51:20 - a wild Jeremiah 21:7 - I will Jeremiah 38:18 - then Jeremiah 52:8 - General Lamentations 2:9 - her king Ezekiel 19:8 - and spread

Verse 21

all his fugitives: Ezekiel 5:12, Ezekiel 12:14, 2 Kings 25:5, 2 Kings 25:11, Jeremiah 48:44, Jeremiah 52:8, Amos 9:1, Amos 9:9, Amos 9:10

shall know: Ezekiel 6:7, Ezekiel 6:10, Ezekiel 13:14, Ezekiel 13:23, Ezekiel 15:7, Isaiah 26:11

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 25:6 - they took Jeremiah 13:24 - will Jeremiah 21:7 - I will Jeremiah 38:18 - then Ezekiel 5:17 - I the Ezekiel 26:14 - for I Zechariah 2:6 - spread 1 Peter 5:6 - that

Verse 22

highest: Ezekiel 34:29, Psalms 80:15, Isaiah 4:2, Isaiah 11:1-5, Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah 23:6, Jeremiah 33:15, Jeremiah 33:16, Zechariah 3:8, Zechariah 4:12-14, Zechariah 6:12, Zechariah 6:13

a tender: Isaiah 53:2

upon: Ezekiel 20:40, Ezekiel 40:2, Psalms 2:6, Psalms 72:16, Isaiah 2:2, Isaiah 2:3, Daniel 2:35, Daniel 2:44, Daniel 2:45, Micah 4:1

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 16:33 - the trees Job 14:9 - and bring Isaiah 30:25 - upon every high Isaiah 41:19 - plant Ezekiel 21:27 - until Ezekiel 31:3 - a cedar Ezekiel 31:9 - all the trees Hosea 14:5 - cast Micah 5:2 - yet Mark 4:31 - is less than Luke 1:32 - give Luke 13:19 - and it Luke 24:44 - in the prophets Acts 15:16 - build again the tabernacle Acts 26:6 - the promise

Verse 23

and it: Psalms 92:12, Psalms 92:13, Isaiah 27:6, John 12:24, John 15:5-8

under: Ezekiel 31:6, Genesis 49:10, Psalms 22:27-30, Psalms 72:8-11, Isaiah 2:2, Isaiah 11:6-10, Isaiah 49:18, Isaiah 60:4-12, Daniel 4:10-14, Daniel 4:21-23, Hosea 14:7, Matthew 13:32, Matthew 13:47, Matthew 13:48, Luke 14:21-23, Acts 10:11, Acts 10:12, Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11, Revelation 11:15

Reciprocal: Joshua 11:16 - the mountain Psalms 104:16 - General Psalms 148:10 - flying fowl Song of Solomon 2:3 - the apple tree Isaiah 4:2 - the branch Jeremiah 31:12 - the height Jeremiah 33:15 - the Branch Ezekiel 20:40 - in mine Ezekiel 21:27 - until Ezekiel 40:2 - a very Daniel 4:12 - the beasts Colossians 2:7 - Rooted

Verse 24

all the trees: Psalms 96:11, Psalms 96:12, Isaiah 55:12, Isaiah 55:13

have brought: 1 Samuel 2:7, 1 Samuel 2:8, Job 5:11, Job 40:12, Psalms 75:6, Psalms 75:7, Psalms 89:38, Psalms 89:45, Isaiah 2:13, Isaiah 2:14, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:7, Isaiah 11:1-9, Isaiah 26:5, Amos 9:11, Luke 1:33, Luke 1:52, Luke 1:53, 1 Corinthians 1:27, 1 Corinthians 1:28

I the Lord have spoken: Ezekiel 12:25, Ezekiel 22:14, Ezekiel 24:14, Matthew 24:35, Luke 21:33

Reciprocal: Numbers 17:8 - budded Judges 5:13 - he made Esther 2:17 - so that he set Job 8:19 - out of the earth Psalms 113:7 - raiseth Song of Solomon 2:3 - the apple tree Isaiah 1:30 - ye shall be Isaiah 22:19 - General Isaiah 40:4 - valley Ezekiel 5:17 - I the Ezekiel 20:47 - green Ezekiel 21:26 - exalt Ezekiel 24:24 - ye shall Ezekiel 31:9 - all the trees Ezekiel 36:36 - know Ezekiel 37:14 - I the Lord Daniel 5:21 - his heart was made like Matthew 13:32 - so that Luke 3:5 - valley Acts 5:31 - hath 2 Corinthians 10:5 - and every Colossians 2:7 - Rooted