Egypt Compared to the Fallen Cedar: Pride and Doom
Ezekiel 31:1-18
Eze.31.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- באחת: PREP
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בשלישי: PREP+ORD,m,sg
- באחד: PREP
- לחדש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Ezekiel 1:1 (verbal): Same prophetic dateline formula—gives a year/month setting and the phrase 'the word of the LORD came to me' introducing a revelation.
- Ezekiel 29:1 (verbal): Another oracle in Ezekiel introduced with a precise exilic date and the identical introductory formula; both open oracles directed against foreign powers.
- Ezekiel 20:1 (verbal): Similar dateline usage within Ezekiel, anchoring the prophetic message to a specific year and using the standard 'word of the LORD came to me' introduction.
- Jeremiah 25:1 (verbal): Jeremiah also begins messages with a regnal-year dateline and 'the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah,' showing the common prophetic convention of dating revelations.
- Isaiah 1:1 (structural): Provides a historical dateline ('in the year that King Uzziah died') that situates the prophetic vision—parallel in function to Ezekiel's chronological opening though phrasing differs.
Alternative generated candidates
- In the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
- In the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
Eze.31.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- פרעה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- המונו: NOUN,m,sg,def,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- דמית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בגדלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,poss2ms
Parallels
- Ezekiel 29:3 (verbal): Same prophetic address to Pharaoh—'son of man, speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt'—and an oracle announcing judgement on Egypt, paralleling the direct confrontation in Ezek.31:2.
- Ezekiel 32:2 (verbal): Another Ezekiel oracle beginning with the 'son of man' formula directed at Pharaoh, introducing a lament over his fall; parallels the rhetorical challenge to Pharaoh's greatness in 31:2.
- Ezekiel 28:2 (structural): Uses the same 'son of man, say to...' prophetic formula against a proud ruler (the prince/king of Tyre); thematically parallels the motif of arrogance and impending downfall.
- Isaiah 14:12-15 (thematic): A taunt against a proud ruler (morning star/Lucifer figure and king of Babylon) that emphasizes boastful exaltation and a dramatic fall—thematic parallel to the challenge to Pharaoh's greatness and ensuing judgment in Ezek.31:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitudes: To whom do you compare yourself in your greatness?
- Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: 'To whom have you been likened in your greatness?'
Eze.31.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הנה: PART
- אשור: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ארז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בלבנון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יפה: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ענף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וחרש: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מצל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וגבה: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- קומה: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- עבתים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- היתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- צמרתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Ezekiel 17:3-4 (verbal): Uses the same tree/cedar imagery to portray a great tree representing a king or nation—planted high, with broad branches—parallel language and motif of a lofty cedar.
- Ezekiel 31:8 (structural): Internal parallel within the same oracle: continues the cedar metaphor for Assyria, describing its flourishing by abundant waters and its prominence among other trees.
- Psalm 92:12 (thematic): Speaks of the righteous flourishing 'like a cedar in Lebanon,' employing the common biblical trope of the cedar of Lebanon as a symbol of stature, beauty, and strength.
- Daniel 4:10-11 (thematic): Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a vast, conspicuous tree visible to the ends of the earth uses the same kings-as-trees motif to symbolize imperial greatness and prominence.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, beautiful in branches, of splendid height, and its top was among the thick boughs.
- Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, fair of branches, leafy and high of stature, and its top was among the dense ones.
Eze.31.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- גדלוהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- תהום: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רממתהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- נהרתיה: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3fs
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- סביבות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- מטעה: PART,qal,ptcp,act,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- תעלתיה: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3fs
- שלחה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- כל: DET
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- השדה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Psalm 1:3 (verbal): Both texts portray a tree planted by streams of water that yields fruit and does not wither; Ezekiel’s image echoes the same life-giving, sustaining waters motif.
- Jeremiah 17:8 (verbal): Jeremiah uses the simile of a tree by water whose leaf does not wither—parallel language and theology of prosperity and sustenance from surrounding waters.
- Ezekiel 47:12 (thematic): Later Ezekiel describes trees growing along a life-giving river from the temple; both passages use riparian vegetation imagery to signify fertility and blessing from flowing water.
- Genesis 2:10 (structural): Genesis depicts a river issuing from Eden and watering the garden’s trees, providing an archetypal background for ancient Near Eastern garden/river-tree imagery in Ezekiel.
- Isaiah 58:11 (thematic): Isaiah’s ‘like a well-watered garden’ motif parallels Ezekiel’s depiction of abundant water sustaining trees, a common prophetic symbol of flourishing life and divine provision.
Alternative generated candidates
- Waters made it great; the deep raised it up. Its streams flowed around its planting place and sent out their canals to all the trees of the field.
- Water made it grow—deep made it tall; its rivers went around its planting, and it sent out its canals to all the trees of the field.
Eze.31.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- גבהא: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- קמתו: NOUN,f,sg,suff
- מכל: PREP
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- השדה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ותרבינה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,pl
- סרעפתיו: NOUN,f,pl,suff
- ותארכנה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,pl
- פארתיו: NOUN,f,pl,suff
- ממים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- בשלחו: PREP
Parallels
- Ezekiel 31:3 (verbal): Immediate context: the same extended metaphor of Assyria as a lofty cedar in Lebanon—language about height, branches and being exalted above other trees.
- Ezekiel 17:6-8 (thematic): Uses the closely related image of a tree/vine with roots by abundant waters that grows tall and strong because of the water—same life-by-waters motif and imagery of vigorous growth.
- Psalm 1:3 (verbal): Describes the righteous as a tree planted by streams of water that yields fruit and prospers—parallels the idea of sustenance from abundant waters producing long branches and growth.
- Jeremiah 17:8 (thematic): Compares a person to a tree planted by water, unafraid of heat and bearing fruit—echoes the motif of flourishing and extended growth due to proximate waters.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore its stature was exalted above all the trees of the field; its boughs were multiplied, and its branches became long because of many waters sent forth.
- Therefore its height was exalted above all the trees of the field; its boughs multiplied, its branches became long because of many waters sent out.
Eze.31.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בסעפתיו: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,prsfx:3ms
- קננו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- כל: DET
- עוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ותחת: CONJ+PREP
- פארתיו: NOUN,f,pl,prsfx:3ms
- ילדו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- חית: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- השדה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ובצלו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,prsfx:3ms
- ישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Daniel 4:12 (verbal): Nebuchadnezzar’s tree-dream: 'under it the beasts of the field found shade, and the birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches'—near-verbatim imagery of a great tree as refuge.
- Ezekiel 17:23 (verbal): Ezekiel’s earlier cedar-vision: 'Under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade of its branches will nest winged creatures'—same prophet and nearly identical wording/motif.
- Matthew 13:32 (verbal): Jesus’ mustard-seed parable: when grown it becomes a tree 'so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches'—uses the same birds-in-branches image to signify dwelling.
- Psalm 104:12 (thematic): Poetic depiction of creation’s provision—birds find habitation among foliage—shares the theme of trees as shelter and meeting-place for birds and beasts.
Alternative generated candidates
- In its shade the birds of the heavens nested; under its branches all the beasts of the field gave birth; in its shadow dwelt all the great nations.
- In its boughs every bird of the heavens nested; under its branches every beast of the field gave birth; in its shade all the great nations lived.
Eze.31.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וייף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בגדלו: PREP
- בארך: PREP
- דליותיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שרשו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 1:3 (verbal): Uses the same image of a tree planted by streams/rivers of water ('planted by streams of water'/'root by many waters') to signify vigorous growth and stability.
- Jeremiah 17:8 (verbal): Describes a person as 'like a tree planted by the waters' whose leaf does not wither — a near verbal and thematic parallel emphasizing roots by abundant water as the source of strength.
- Ezekiel 17:7-8 (allusion): Within Ezekiel’s own prophetic vocabulary the motif of planting 'by many waters' recurs to portray a great tree/shrubs flourishing — an internal echo applied to political/royal imagery.
- Psalm 92:12-13 (thematic): Speaks of the righteous flourishing 'like the palm tree' and growing 'like a cedar in Lebanon,' connecting the cedar/tree imagery of prosperity and stature found in Ezekiel 31.
Alternative generated candidates
- It was beautiful in its greatness, for its roots reached to many waters.
- It was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches, for its root was beside abundant waters.
Eze.31.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ארזים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- עממהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בגן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ברושים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- דמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss3ms
- אל: NEG
- סעפתיו: NOUN,f,sg,suff
- וערמנים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כפארתיו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff
- כל: DET
- עץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בגן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- דמה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ביפיו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,suff
Parallels
- Ezekiel 28:13-15 (verbal): The king of Tyre is depicted as being in Eden 'the garden of God' and uniquely adorned—language and the idea of a singular, exalted tree/person in God's garden closely parallel Ezek. 31:8's claim that no tree in the garden of God compared to him.
- Genesis 2:8-9 (thematic): The planting of the garden by God and the special trees (tree of life, tree of knowledge) provides the background motif of trees in God's garden and the notion of a uniquely significant tree.
- Psalm 92:12-14 (thematic): Uses cedar imagery ('the righteous flourish like the palm... grow like a cedar of Lebanon') to represent grandeur and exaltation—echoes Ezekiel's use of cedar/majestic-tree imagery to portray supreme beauty and stature.
- Revelation 2:7 (allusion): Promises access to 'the tree of life in the paradise of God'—the phrase 'paradise/garden of God' and the prized, solitary tree motif echo Ezekiel's portrayal of an unsurpassed tree in God's garden.
Alternative generated candidates
- No cedars were like it in the garden of God; no cypresses could equal its boughs, nor plane trees its branches. No tree in the garden of God could be compared with it in its beauty.
- No cedar in the garden of God compared with it; the cypresses were not its equal in its boughs, nor were the plane‑trees like its branches; no tree in the garden of God was comparable to its beauty.
Eze.31.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יפה: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- עשיתיו: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- ברב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דליותיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויקנאהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- כל: DET
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- עדן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בגן: PREP
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Ezekiel 28:13-16 (allusion): Uses Edenic language and precious adornment of a crowned figure—like 31:9 the image of a magnificent tree in the garden that is exalted and then judged.
- Genesis 2:8-9 (verbal): Speaks of the garden of Eden and 'every tree that is pleasant to the sight,' paralleling 31:9's 'garden of God' and 'every precious tree' desiring the lofty tree.
- Daniel 4:20-22 (thematic): Nebuchadnezzar's great tree represents a mighty ruler/nation exalted above others and envied, later to be cut down—parallel motif to the lofty cedar envied by the trees of Eden.
- Isaiah 14:12-15 (thematic): Taunt against a proud ruler who sought to ascend and is brought low; thematically parallels the theme of exaltation, envy, and subsequent downfall in Ezekiel 31.
Alternative generated candidates
- I made it beautiful by the multitude of its boughs, and all the trees of Eden that were in the garden of God envied it.
- I made it beautiful by the multitude of its branches; all the trees of Eden that were in the garden of God envied it.
Eze.31.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יען: CONJ
- אשר: PRON,rel
- גבהת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בקומה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- צמרתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- בין: PREP
- עבותים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ורם: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- לבבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- בגבהו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Daniel 4:10-12 (structural): Both passages use the image of a great tree whose top reaches high (even to the heavens) to symbolize exaltation and prominence, setting up the motif of height preceding humiliation.
- Isaiah 14:13-14 (thematic): Speaks of proud exaltation of heart and the desire to ascend above the heights—a thematic parallel concerning pride and self-exaltation that leads to downfall.
- Proverbs 16:18 (thematic): Concise proverb linking pride ('haughtiness of spirit') with impending destruction; echoes Ezekiel’s causal link between lifted-up heart/height and judgment.
- 2 Chronicles 26:16 (verbal): Uses similar language ('his heart was lifted up') to describe a ruler’s pride that results in punishment, paralleling Ezekiel’s phrasing and theological point about pride’s consequences.
- Ezekiel 31:11 (structural): Immediate context: explicitly states the judgment that follows the exaltation described in 31:10, showing the narrative cause–effect (pride → divine punishment).
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have exalted your stature and set your top among the thick boughs, and your heart has been proud because of your height,
- Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have exalted your height and set your heart among the dense ones, and lifted up your heart because of your height,
Eze.31.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתנהו: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,sg,obj3,m
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- איל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- כרשעו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss3,m
- גרשתהו: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg,obj3,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 10:12 (thematic): God declares he will punish the Assyrian for his arrogance—judgment executed against a foreign power for its wickedness, parallel to giving a nation into the hands of other peoples as retribution.
- Ezekiel 26:7 (structural): Ezekiel pronounces that Tyre will be handed over to Nebuchadnezzar and the nations; similar prophetic formula of delivering a proud nation into the hands of foreign powers.
- Jeremiah 25:9 (thematic): The LORD summons the peoples of the north (Babylon) to execute judgment on nations—theme of God using foreign nations as instruments to punish wrongdoing.
- Jeremiah 51:24 (thematic): God promises to repay Babylon and the Chaldeans for their deeds—reflects the principle of divine retribution whereby a nation is dealt with according to its wickedness.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will give it into the hand of the mighty of the nations; he shall deal with it according to his wickedness; I will drive it out.
- I will give it into the hand of a mighty one of the nations; he shall deal with it according to his wickedness; I have cast it out.
Eze.31.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויכרתהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- זרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עריצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויטשהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- ההרים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- גאיות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- נפלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- דליותיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ותשברנה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,pl
- פארתיו: NOUN,f,pl,cs,3,m,sg
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אפיקי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וירדו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- מצלו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויטשהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Ezekiel 31:3-9 (verbal): Immediate context: the extended cedar/Assyria allegory — same tree imagery and language about lofty cedar, its branches, and its fall; 31:12 continues and repeats motifs from these verses.
- Daniel 4:20-22 (thematic): Nebuchadnezzar depicted as a great tree felled and stripped of branches so that peoples leave its shade — parallel theme of a mighty ruler/tree brought low and abandoned by nations.
- Isaiah 14:8-17 (allusion): Taunt against the fallen ruler (here Babylon) with imagery of cedars and the nations’ reaction — similar motif of the high one abased and the surrounding trees/nations exulting or abandoning him.
- Ezekiel 17:24 (structural): Another Ezekiel parable of trees/kingdoms: God bringing down the high tree and raising low ones — shares the theological structure of divine humbling of proud rulers/trees.
- Nahum 3:7-10 (thematic): Taunt against Nineveh describing its devastation and the lack of mourners — parallels the depiction of a once-mighty power deserted and shamed by the nations.
Alternative generated candidates
- Strangers—the tyrants of the nations—cut it down and left it on the mountains. In every valley its boughs fell; all its splendor was broken in all the streams of the land. All the peoples of the earth went down from under its shadow and left it.
- Strangers, cruel of nations, will cut it off and leave it in the mountains, and its branches will fall in every valley; all the peoples of the earth will go down from its shade and leave it.
Eze.31.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- על: PREP
- מפלתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ישכנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- כל: DET
- עוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- פארתיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- חית: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- השדה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Ezekiel 31:11 (structural): Immediate context: earlier verse describes birds making nests in the tree's boughs and beasts sheltering under it, providing the background contrast to the tree's later downfall in v.13.
- Isaiah 13:21-22 (thematic): Like Ezek.31:13, these verses portray the ruin of a great city (Babylon) inhabited by wild animals and birds—shared imagery of desolation where birds and beasts occupy the remains.
- Isaiah 34:11-15 (thematic): Descriptive catalogue of desert animals and birds dwelling in a devastated land; parallels the motif of nations/tree-plants reduced to habitats for wild creatures after destruction.
- Jeremiah 51:37 (thematic): Speaks of Babylon becoming a haunt for dragons and wild creatures—another prophetic portrayal of conquered cities becoming the domain of birds/beasts, echoing Ezek.31:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- On its fall all the birds of the heavens nested, and every beast of the field was on its branches.
- On its fall all the birds of the heavens will dwell, and they will cover its branches; and all the beasts of the field will be in its shade.
Eze.31.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- למען: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- יגבהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בקומתם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3mp
- כל: DET
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- יתנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- צמרתם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3mp
- אל: NEG
- בין: PREP
- עבתים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- יעמדו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- בגבהם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3mp
- כל: DET
- שתי: NUM,card,f,du
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- כלם: PRON,3,m,pl
- נתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- למות: VERB,qal,inf
- אל: NEG
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תחתית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בתוך: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יורדי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- בור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 28:12-19 (thematic): Pride and former glory portrayed with Edenic language and high status, followed by a fall to the depths; similar motif of a lofty being/plantation laid low and given to the pit.
- Genesis 2:8-9 (allusion): Reference point for 'trees of Eden' imagery—trees planted in Eden/pleasant garden that provide foliage and stature, which Ezekiel appropriates to describe the great cedar's environment.
- Isaiah 14:9-15 (thematic): The oracle against the proud king (often Babylon) pictures Sheol/Netherworld stirring and the once-exalted brought low—parallels the language of descent 'to those who go down to the pit.'
- Ezekiel 32:18-23 (verbal): Ezekiel's depictions of fallen nations lying in the netherworld and the stir of Sheol echo the imagery of mighty ones being given to death and to the lower earth in 31:14.
- Ezekiel 17:22-24 (structural): Uses cedar/plant imagery to describe raising up and humiliating of nations—the motif of great trees representing rulers and their humbling corresponds structurally to Ezek 31's cedar-king portrait and its lowering.
Alternative generated candidates
- So that no tree by the waters shall exalt itself in height or set its top among the thick boughs, nor shall its stature reach to them; for all of them lie down in the lowlands, among the people, with those who go down to the pit.
- So that no trees by the waters shall exalt themselves in their stature, nor set any of their tops among the dense ones, nor grow tall above them; for all of them are given to death—to the underworld, among mortals who go down to the Pit.
Eze.31.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ביום: PREP
- רדתו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאולה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- האבלתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,_,sg
- כסתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- תהום: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואמנע: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- נהרותיה: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRO,3,f,sg
- ויכלאו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ואקדר: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- לבנון: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- השדה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- עלפה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 32:17-32 (thematic): Continuation of the motif of mighty rulers descending to Sheol—nations lamenting, graves and the netherworld pictured; similar language about the dead, mourning, and the sea/abyss as the place of descent.
- Isaiah 14:9-11 (thematic): Description of Sheol being stirred to meet a fallen king and the lament over his descent; parallels the image of the dead/great ones responding to the fall of a proud ruler.
- Ezekiel 28:11-19 (verbal): Another prophetic oracle against a proud, exalted ruler (king of Tyre) that uses imagery of a lofty being brought down and judged—shared motifs of pride, downfall, and the language of removal from high place to ruin.
- Jonah 2:3-6 (verbal): Poetic imagery of the deep and waters covering/encircling a person ('you hurled me into the deep... the flood surrounded me'), echoing the motif of the deep/sea as the place of engulfing/descent present in Ezek. 31:15 (though Jonah is a personal prayer).
- Psalm 69:15 (thematic): Prayerful plea against being overwhelmed by the flood and the deep—shares the motif of waters, deep, and danger/overwhelming related to death or judgment, resonating with the imagery of covering the deep in Ezek. 31:15.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thus says the Lord GOD: On the day it went down to Sheol I made lamentation; I covered the deep over it and restrained its rivers; many waters were held back. I caused Lebanon to faint on its account, and all the trees of the field languished because of it.
- Thus says the Lord GOD: On the day it went down to Sheol I caused mourning; I covered the deep and restrained its rivers, and many waters were stopped; I made Lebanon faint, and all the trees of the field withered on it.
Eze.31.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מקול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מפלתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m
- הרעשתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,_,sg
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בהורדי: PREP+VERB,hiph,perf,1,_,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- שאולה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- יורדי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- בור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וינחמו: VERB,niph,impf,3,m,pl
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- תחתית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- עדן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מבחר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וטוב: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- לבנון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- שתי: NUM,card,f,du
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 31:15 (structural): Immediate context and parallel image: verse 15 begins the lament over the great tree and the assembly of the trees of Eden, directly continuing the theme of nations/trees reacting to the fall.
- Ezekiel 32:21 (thematic): Parallel motif of Sheol/the underworld responding to a fallen ruler: 'the strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of Sheol,' echoing the picture of the dead rising to meet the fallen.
- Ezekiel 28:13–17 (allusion): Uses Edenic and exalted imagery to describe a proud ruler cast down—both passages portray a majestic being among 'the trees/pleasures of Eden' brought low because of pride.
- Isaiah 14:9–11 (thematic): Sheol/Netherworld stirred at the fall of a proud king: 'Sheol from beneath is stirred to meet you,' similar language of the underworld meeting the fallen ruler and nations reacting in terror.
- Zechariah 11:2 (thematic): Image of a fallen cedar and lament among trees: 'Wail, cypress, for the cedar has fallen,' resonating with Ezekiel's depiction of choice trees of Lebanon and Eden brought low.
Alternative generated candidates
- At the sound of its fall I made the nations quake; when I cast it down to those who go down into the pit, to the people of the lower earth, I brought to rest in the lower regions all the trees of Eden— the choicest and best of Lebanon— every tree that drinks water.
- By the sound of its fall I made the nations tremble; when I cast it down to Sheol with those who descend into the Pit, I caused to rest in the underworld all the choicest trees of Eden—the best and fairest of Lebanon, all the trees by the two waters.
Eze.31.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- גם: ADV
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- ירדו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שאולה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- חללי: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וזרעו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+prsuf:3,m,sg
- ישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בצלו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- בתוך: PREP
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 26:20 (verbal): Uses similar wording about lying 'with the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword' and being given a portion 'with the valley of them that go down to the pit'—parallel imagery of nations descending to Sheol.
- Ezekiel 32:21 (thematic): Describes princes and nations descending to the grave and conversing from Sheol; echoes the motif of many peoples going down together into the pit and sitting in gloom among the slain.
- Isaiah 14:9 (thematic): Portrays Sheol stirred up to meet a fallen ruler and images of descent to the depths of the pit—parallel theme of a mighty one brought down and accompanied by the dead nations.
- Psalm 49:14 (thematic): Speaks of multitudes 'laid in the grave' like sheep and going down to Sheol together—resonant imagery of collective descent into the pit regardless of status.
Alternative generated candidates
- They too went down with it to Sheol, to those slain by the sword; and its offspring lived in its shade among the nations.
- They also went down with it to Sheol, to the caverns of the sword, and its seed settled in its shade among the nations.
Eze.31.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אל: NEG
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- דמית: VERB,qal,perf,2,ms
- ככה: ADV
- בכבוד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובגדל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעצי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- עדן: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- והורדת: VERB,hiph,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- עדן: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תחתית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בתוך: PREP
- ערלים: ADJ,m,pl
- תשכב: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- חללי: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- פרעה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- המונה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 28:11-19 (verbal): Uses Eden imagery and language of a once-glorious figure (in Eden, 'thrown down')—both passages portray a proud ruler likened to a precious/tree-like figure in Eden who is brought low.
- Ezekiel 31:3-9 (structural): Earlier in the same chapter a great foreign power is compared to a lofty cedar of Eden; verse 18 completes that extended simile by describing the cedar's (and thus the nation's) downfall and burial among the slain.
- Isaiah 14:12-15 (thematic): A prophetic taunt against a proud ruler who sought to exalt himself and is cast down—shares the theme of hubris, heavenly/Edenic imagery of exaltation, and consequent downfall.
- Genesis 3:22-24 (allusion): The expulsion from Eden and removal from its place echoes the motif of being brought down from 'the trees of Eden' into the lower parts of the earth—an allusion to loss of privilege and banishment.
- Ezekiel 32:21-32 (verbal): Speaks of Pharaoh lying among the uncircumcised and the slain in the nether regions—closely parallels Ezekiel 31:18's image of Pharaoh/host lying in the earth among the slain after defeat.
Alternative generated candidates
- To whom have you been likened in your splendor and greatness among the trees of Eden? Yet you are brought down with the trees of Eden to the depths of the earth; you shall lie among the people who go down to the pit, with those slain by the sword. That is Pharaoh and all his multitude, says the Lord GOD.
- To whom have you been likened in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? Yet you are brought down with the trees of Eden to the depth; you lie among the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword. He is Pharaoh and all his multitude, says the Lord GOD.
And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude, 'To whom have you been compared in your greatness?'
Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, fair in branches, with dense shade, lofty of stature; its top was among the thick boughs.
Waters made it grow; the deep set it firm; its rivers went around its plantation and sent out their channels to all the trees of the field.
Therefore its height was exalted above all the trees of the field; its boughs multiplied, and its branches grew long because of many waters sent forth.
Under its boughs every bird of the heavens nested, and under its branches all the beasts of the field bore young; in its shade many nations made their habitation.
It was fair in the greatness of its branches, for its root went down to abundant waters.
No cedar in the garden of God was like it; no cypress equaled its boughs, nor any plane-tree compared with its splendor; every tree in the garden of God was unlike it in beauty.
I made it beautiful with the abundance of its branches, and all the trees of Eden that were in the garden of God envied it.
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have exalted your height and set your top among the thick boughs, and have lifted up your heart because of your height,
I will deliver it into the hand of a mighty one among the nations; he shall deal with it according to his wickedness—I have cast it aside.
Foreign tyrants of the nations have cut it down and left it upon the mountains; in every ravine its boughs fell, and all its branches were broken in every valley of the land; all the peoples of the earth went down from under its shade and left it.
On its fallen trunk every bird of the heavens shall dwell, and all the beasts of the field shall be under its branches. So that no trees of the waters shall ever lift up their height, nor set their tops among the thick boughs, nor stand tall above them; for all were given to death to the nether earth, among mortal men who go down to the pit. Thus says the Lord GOD: In the day that it goes down to Sheol I will make mourning; I will cover over its deep and restrain its rivers, and many waters shall be stilled; I will make Lebanon faint, and all the trees of the field shall grow pale because of it.
At the sound of its fall I will shake the nations when I bring it down to Sheol with those who descend to the pit; the choicest trees of Eden and the best of Lebanon— all the trees of the waters— shall lie in the nether earth.
They also shall go down with it to Sheol, to those slain by the sword; their multitudes shall lie among the peoples, and under its shadow shall their seed dwell in the midst of the nations.
To whom have you been thus likened in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? Yet you are brought down with the trees of Eden to the nether earth; you shall lie among the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword— it is Pharaoh and all his multitude, says the Lord GOD.