Ezekiel 31:12

Ezekiel 31:12 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Foreigners, the most ruthless of the nations, cut it down and left it. Its branches have fallen on the mountains and in every valley; its boughs lay broken in all the earth’s ravines. And all the peoples of the earth left its shade and abandoned it.

King James Version KJV

And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him.

American Standard Version ASV

And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the watercourses of the land; and all the peoples of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And men from strange lands, who are to be feared among the nations, after cutting him off, have let him be: on the mountains and in all the valleys his branches have come down; his arms are broken by all the waterways of the land; all the peoples of the earth have gone from his shade, and have let him be.

Free Bible Version FBV

Foreigners from the cruelest of all the nations chopped it down and left it lying there. Its branches lie fallen and broken in the mountains and valleys of the countryside. Everybody in earth came out of its shadow and abandoned it.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And the strangers haue destroyed him, euen the terrible nations, and they haue left him vpon the mountaines, and in all the valleis his branches are fallen, and his boughes are broken by all the riuers of the land: and all the people of the earth are departed from his shadowe, and haue forsaken him.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And cut him off do strangers, The terrible of nations, and they leave him, On the mountains and in all valleys have his thin shoots fallen, And broken are his boughs at all streams of the land, And go down from his shade do all peoples of the land, and they leave him.

World English Bible WEB

Foreigners, the tyrants of the nations, have cut him off and have left him. His branches have fallen on the mountains and in all the valleys, and his boughs are broken by all the watercourses of the land. All the peoples of the earth have gone down from his shadow and have left him.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And strangers, and the most cruel of the nations shall cut him down, and cast him away upon the mountains, and his boughs shall fall in every valley, and his branches shall be broken on every rock of the country: and all the people of the earth shall depart from his shadow, and leave him.

Translation for Translators T4T

A foreign army, one that has caused people of other nations to be terrified, cut it down and left it. Its branches fell on the mountains and in the valleys. Some of its branches lay broken in all the ravines in the land. All the people of other nations came out from being under its shade and left it.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 31:12

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Ezekiel 31:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יִּכְרְתֻ֧/הוּ זָרִ֛ים עָרִיצֵ֥י גוֹיִ֖ם וַֽ/יִּטְּשֻׁ֑/הוּ אֶל הֶ֠/הָרִים וּ/בְ/כָל גֵּ֨אָי֜וֹת נָפְל֣וּ דָלִיּוֹתָ֗י/ו וַ/תִּשָּׁבַ֤רְנָה פֹֽארֹתָי/ו֙ בְּ/כֹל֙ אֲפִיקֵ֣י הָ/אָ֔רֶץ וַ/יֵּרְד֧וּ מִ/צִּלּ֛/וֹ כָּל עַמֵּ֥י הָ/אָ֖רֶץ וַֽ/יִּטְּשֻֽׁ/הוּ

וַ/יִּכְרְתֻ֧/הוּ kârath H3772 to cut Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp | Suff

זָרִ֛ים zûwr H2114 be a stranger Adj

עָרִיצֵ֥י ʻârîyts H6184 ruthless Adj

גוֹיִ֖ם gôwy H1471 Gentile N-mp

וַֽ/יִּטְּשֻׁ֑/הוּ nâṭash H5203 to leave Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp | Suff

אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep

הֶ֠/הָרִים har H2022 mountain Art | N-mp

וּ/בְ/כָל kôl H3605 all Conj | Prep | N-ms

גֵּ֨אָי֜וֹת gayʼ H1516 Valley N-cp

נָפְל֣וּ nâphal H5307 to fall V-Qal-Perf-3cp

דָלִיּוֹתָ֗י/ו dâlîyâh H1808 branch N-fp | Suff

וַ/תִּשָּׁבַ֤רְנָה shâbar H7665 to break Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3fp

פֹֽארֹתָי/ו֙ pᵉʼôrâh H6288 bough N-fp | Suff

בְּ/כֹל֙ kôl H3605 all Prep | N-ms

אֲפִיקֵ֣י ʼâphîyq H650 channel N-mp

הָ/אָ֔רֶץ ʼerets H776 land Art | N-cs

וַ/יֵּרְד֧וּ yârad H3381 to go down Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

מִ/צִּלּ֛/וֹ tsêl H6738 shadow Prep | N-ms | Suff

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

עַמֵּ֥י ʻam H5971 Amaw N-mp

הָ/אָ֖רֶץ ʼerets H776 land Art | N-cs

וַֽ/יִּטְּשֻֽׁ/הוּ nâṭash H5203 to leave Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 31:12

וַ/יִּכְרְתֻ֧/הוּ kârath H3772 "to cut" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp | Suff

This Hebrew word means to cut or destroy something, but it also has a special meaning related to making a covenant or agreement. In Genesis 15:18, God makes a covenant with Abram, symbolized by cutting animals in half, showing the seriousness of the promise. This word is used to describe important agreements and alliances.

Definition: : cut/fell 1) to cut, cut off, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, cut a covenant 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut off 1a1a) to cut off a body part, behead 1a2) to cut down 1a3) to hew 1a4) to cut or make a covenant 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cut off 1b2) to be cut down 1b3) to be chewed 1b4) to be cut off, fail 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be cut off 1c2) to be cut down 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cut off 1d2) to cut off, destroy 1d3) to cut down, destroy 1d4) to take away 1d5) to permit to perish 1e) (Hophal) cut off

Usage: Occurs in 280 OT verses. KJV: be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want. See also: Genesis 9:11; 1 Samuel 24:6; Psalms 12:4.

זָרִ֛ים zûwr H2114 "be a stranger" Adj

This word has several meanings, including being a stranger or foreigner, like when Abraham lived in Egypt as a foreigner. It can also mean to commit adultery, highlighting the idea of turning aside from what is right and proper, as warned against in Proverbs 5.

Definition: 1) to be strange, be a stranger 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become estranged 1a2) strange, another, stranger, foreigner, an enemy (participle) 1a3) strange woman, prostitute, harlot (meton) 1b) (Niphal) to be estranged 1c) (Hophal) to be a stranger, be one alienated

Usage: Occurs in 76 OT verses. KJV: (come from) another (man, place), fanner, go away, (e-) strange(-r, thing, woman). See also: Exodus 29:33; Proverbs 11:15; Psalms 44:21.

עָרִיצֵ֥י ʻârîyts H6184 "ruthless" Adj

This word describes someone or something that inspires fear or awe, often due to great power or strength. It can be translated as mighty, oppressor, or ruthless in different contexts.

Definition: awe-inspiring, terror-striking, awesome, terrifying, ruthless, mighty

Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: mighty, oppressor, in great power, strong, terrible, violent. See also: Job 6:23; Isaiah 25:5; Psalms 37:35.

גוֹיִ֖ם gôwy H1471 "Gentile" N-mp

This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.

Definition: 1) nation, people 1a) nation, people 1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people 1a2) of descendants of Abraham 1a3) of Israel 1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.) 1c) Goyim? = "nations" Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)

Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: Gentile, heathen, nation, people. See also: Genesis 10:5; Judges 4:16; Psalms 2:1.

וַֽ/יִּטְּשֻׁ֑/הוּ nâṭash H5203 "to leave" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp | Suff

To leave or forsake something, like God forsaking his people in the book of Isaiah. It can also mean to permit or let something happen. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's relationship with his people.

Definition: 1) to leave, permit, forsake, cast off or away, reject, suffer, join, spread out or abroad, be loosed, cease, abandon, quit, hang loose, cast down, make a raid, lie fallow, let fall, forgo, draw 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to leave, let alone, lie fallow, entrust to 1a2) to forsake, abandon 1a3) to permit 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be forsaken 1b2) to be loosened, be loose 1b3) to be let go, spread abroad 1c) (Pual) to be abandoned, be deserted

Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: cast off, drawn, let fall, forsake, join (battle), leave (off), lie still, loose, spread (self) abroad, stretch out, suffer. See also: Genesis 31:28; Psalms 78:60; Psalms 27:9.

אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

הֶ֠/הָרִים har H2022 "mountain" Art | N-mp

A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.

Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount

Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.

וּ/בְ/כָל kôl H3605 "all" Conj | Prep | N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

גֵּ֨אָי֜וֹת gayʼ H1516 "Valley" N-cp

In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a deep, narrow valley or gorge. It is also another name for Topheth, a place of child sacrifice in the Valley of Hinnom. The word describes a steep and dramatic landscape.

Definition: valley, a steep valley, narrow gorge Another name of to.phet (תֹּ֫פֶת "Topheth" H8612)

Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: valley. See also: Numbers 21:20; Nehemiah 11:30; Psalms 23:4.

נָפְל֣וּ nâphal H5307 "to fall" V-Qal-Perf-3cp

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.

Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall

Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.

דָלִיּוֹתָ֗י/ו dâlîyâh H1808 "branch" N-fp | Suff

A branch refers to a part of a tree, like an olive or vine. In the Bible, it symbolizes Israel. The word is used to describe something that is dangling or hanging.

Definition: 1) branch, bough 1a) of Israel (fig.) (used with olive tree, vine, cedar tree)

Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: branch. See also: Jeremiah 11:16; Ezekiel 19:11; Ezekiel 31:12.

וַ/תִּשָּׁבַ֤רְנָה shâbar H7665 "to break" Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3fp

This word means to break or shatter something, either physically or emotionally. It can also mean to burst or rupture, and is often used to describe intense violence or destruction. In the Bible, it's translated as break or crush.

Definition: 1) to break, break in pieces 1a) (Qal) 1a1) break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench 1a2) to break, rupture (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked 1b2) to be broken, be crushed (fig) 1c) (Piel) to shatter, break 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to break out, bring to the birth 1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be shattered Aramaic equivalent: te.var (תְּבַר "to break" H8406)

Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, [idiom] quite, tear, view (by mistake for H7663 (שָׂבַר)). See also: Genesis 19:9; Isaiah 27:11; Psalms 3:8.

פֹֽארֹתָי/ו֙ pᵉʼôrâh H6288 "bough" N-fp | Suff

This word means a bough or branch of a tree, often with bright green foliage. It is used in the Bible to describe plants or trees. The KJV translates it as 'bough' or 'branch'.

Definition: bough, branch, shoot Also means: pu.rah (פּוּרָה "bough" H6288B)

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: bough, branch, sprig. See also: Isaiah 10:33; Ezekiel 31:6; Ezekiel 31:13.

בְּ/כֹל֙ kôl H3605 "all" Prep | N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

אֲפִיקֵ֣י ʼâphîyq H650 "channel" N-mp

This Hebrew word refers to a channel or stream, and can also mean a strong or mighty thing. It appears in various forms, such as a brook or river, and is used to describe a powerful object or hero. In the Bible, it is used to describe natural features like streams and valleys.

Definition: 1) channel 2) ravine 3) of hollow bones (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: brook, channel, mighty, river, [phrase] scale, stream, strong piece. See also: 2 Samuel 22:16; Isaiah 8:7; Psalms 18:16.

הָ/אָ֔רֶץ ʼerets H776 "land" Art | N-cs

The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.

Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.

וַ/יֵּרְד֧וּ yârad H3381 "to go down" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.

Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down

Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.

מִ/צִּלּ֛/וֹ tsêl H6738 "shadow" Prep | N-ms | Suff

A shadow refers to a dark area, often providing shade or protection, like the shadow of a tree in Isaiah 4:6. It can also symbolize the fleeting nature of life, as mentioned in Psalm 102:11.

Definition: 1) shadow, shade 1a) shadow (on dial) 1b) shadow, shade (as protection) 1c) shadow (symbolic of transitoriness of life) Also means: tse.lel (צֵלֶל "shadow" H6752)

Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: defence, shade(-ow). See also: Genesis 19:8; Ecclesiastes 7:12; Psalms 17:8.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

עַמֵּ֥י ʻam H5971 "Amaw" N-mp

A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.

Definition: This name means nation, people

Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.

הָ/אָ֖רֶץ ʼerets H776 "land" Art | N-cs

Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.

וַֽ/יִּטְּשֻֽׁ/הוּ nâṭash H5203 "to leave" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp | Suff

Study Notes — Ezekiel 31:12

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Context
Cross References
Ezekiel 31:12 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 31:12
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 31:12
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 31:12
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 31:12
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 31:12
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 31:12
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 31:12
Sermons on Ezekiel 31:12

Context — Egypt Will Fall like Assyria

10Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Since it became great in height and set its top among the clouds, and it grew proud on account of its height, 11I delivered it into the hand of the ruler of the nations, for him to deal with it according to its wickedness. I have banished it.

12Foreigners, the most ruthless of the nations, cut it down and left it. Its branches have fallen on the mountains and in every valley; its boughs lay broken in all the earth’s ravines. And all the peoples of the earth left its shade and abandoned it.

13All the birds of the air nested on its fallen trunk, and all the beasts of the field lived among its boughs. 14This happened so that no other trees by the waters would become great in height and set their tops among the clouds, and no other well-watered trees would reach them in height. For they have all been consigned to death, to the depths of the earth, among the mortals who descend to the Pit.’

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Ezekiel 28:7	behold, I will bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations. They will draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom and will defile your splendor.
2	Ezekiel 35:8	I will fill its mountains with the slain; those killed by the sword will fall on your hills, in your valleys, and in all your ravines.
3	Ezekiel 30:11	He and his people with him, the most ruthless of the nations, will be brought in to destroy the land. They will draw their swords against Egypt and fill the land with the slain.
4	Nahum 3:17–18	Your guards are like the swarming locust, and your scribes like clouds of locusts that settle on the walls on a cold day. When the sun rises, they fly away, and no one knows where. O king of Assyria, your shepherds slumber; your officers sleep. Your people are scattered on the mountains with no one to gather them.
5	Habakkuk 1:6	For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans — that ruthless and impetuous nation which marches through the breadth of the earth to seize dwellings not their own.
6	Isaiah 34:5–7	When My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens, then it will come down upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction. The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat— with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom. And the wild oxen will fall with them, the young bulls with the strong ones. Their land will be drenched with blood, and their soil will be soaked with fat.
7	Ezekiel 39:4	On the mountains of Israel you will fall—you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to every kind of ravenous bird and wild beast.
8	Revelation 17:16	And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
9	Ezekiel 32:4–5	I will abandon you on the land and hurl you into the open field. I will cause all the birds of the air to settle upon you, and all the beasts of the earth to eat their fill of you. I will put your flesh on the mountains and fill the valleys with your remains.
10	Habakkuk 1:11	Then they sweep by like the wind and pass on through. They are guilty; their own strength is their god.”

Ezekiel 31:12 Summary

Ezekiel 31:12 describes a powerful tree that was cut down by foreigners because of its pride and wickedness. This tree represents a nation that had become proud and arrogant, and God allowed it to be judged by other nations. The tree's downfall had a widespread impact, leaving all areas affected and causing all people to abandon it. This serves as a reminder that earthly powers and institutions can be fleeting and unreliable, and we should seek our comfort and refuge in God, as encouraged in Psalm 37:7 and Jeremiah 17:7-8.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the tree in Ezekiel 31:12 represent?

The tree in Ezekiel 31:12 represents a great and proud nation, likely Egypt, which was cut down by foreigners due to its wickedness, as seen in Ezekiel 31:10-11, and this serves as a warning to other nations, as stated in Ezekiel 31:14.

Who are the foreigners mentioned in Ezekiel 31:12?

The foreigners mentioned in Ezekiel 31:12 are the most ruthless of the nations, who were used by God to cut down the proud tree, illustrating the principle that God often uses unbelievers to judge His people or other nations, as seen in Isaiah 10:5-6 and Jeremiah 25:9.

What is the significance of the tree's branches falling in every valley and ravine?

The tree's branches falling in every valley and ravine, as described in Ezekiel 31:12, symbolize the widespread impact of the nation's downfall, affecting all areas and leaving no place untouched, much like the consequences of sin described in Genesis 3:17-19.

Why did all the peoples of the earth leave the tree's shade and abandon it?

All the peoples of the earth left the tree's shade and abandoned it, as stated in Ezekiel 31:12, because the tree, which once provided protection and comfort, was now useless and broken, illustrating the fleeting nature of earthly powers and the importance of seeking refuge in God, as encouraged in Psalm 91:1-2.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways in which I may be seeking shade and comfort in earthly powers or institutions, rather than in God?
How can I apply the lesson of the fallen tree to my own life, recognizing the dangers of pride and the importance of humility, as taught in Proverbs 16:18 and 1 Peter 5:6?
In what ways can I be a source of comfort and shade for others, as a representative of God's kingdom, as described in Matthew 5:13-16?
What are some areas in my life where I may be experiencing a 'downfall' or a sense of brokenness, and how can I trust God to restore and redeem me, as promised in Psalm 34:18 and 1 Peter 5:10?

Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 31:12

And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off,.... Cut off the boughs and branches of this cedar, and cut him down to the ground; that is, utterly destroyed him, his empire and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 31:12

And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 31:12

Strangers; foreigners, who regard neither justice nor mercy, such were those who made up his army of Arbaces the Mede. The terrible; so these were for their strength and valour much, but for their numbers and barbarity more, to be dreaded. Have cut him off; not shall, for it was done before Ezekiel’ s time, about the time Hezekiah was born, and about two hundred and forty years before the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonish captivity. Left him; revolted or forsaken Sardanapalus. Upon the mountains: as a tree, growing on the mountains which hang over the valleys, when it falls breaks, and its branches are scattered in the lower ground, on the banks of rivers that run in the bottom; so is this mighty cedar, this king and kingdom, fallen from highest power and honour into deepest contempt and impotence, not able to repel his adversaries or escape out of their hands. Have left him; all that were tributary to him have withdrawn their tribute, and rejected his dominion; and such as were his allies, and depended on his patronage, have quit their leagues and dependences, and left his shadow.

Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 31:12

Ezekiel 31:12 And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him.Ver. 12. And strangers have cut him off.] The greater wealth the greater spoil awaiteth a man; as each one desireth to lop the tree that hath thick and large boughs and branches. And his boughs are broken,] i.e., His vassals, homagers, and auxiliaries. And all the people of the earth.] Who once sheltered under his shadow. But the rule is, “ Arbor honoretur cuius nos umbra tuetur. ” And have left him.] And joined themselves to the Babylonian. “ Sic cum fortuna statque caditque fides. ” - Ovid.

Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 31:12

(12) Gone down.—Because the cedar is represented as growing upon the height of Lebanon. Yet “the people of the earth” is literal.

Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 31:12

12. The tenses in Ezekiel 31:12-13 are perfects of threatening: the fut. would be plainer in Ezekiel 31:12 as A.V. Ezekiel 31:13. On “terrible” cf. Ezekiel 28:7. have left him] cast him down, ch. Ezekiel 32:4; Amos 5:2. His great trunk covers the land and fills the watercourses. The nations who dwelt under his shadow, seeking his protection, have fled away from him (Daniel 4:11). For people, peoples.have left him] and (or, for) they have cast him down. The words seem emphatic repetition from the beginning of the verse.

Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 31:12

12. Compare Ezekiel 31:6; Ezekiel 28:7; Ezekiel 30:11. The people who once humbly dwelt under its branches have now left the shadowless trunk and broken limbs or else walk over them without honor or fear (Ezekiel 31:13).

Sermons on Ezekiel 31:12

	Sermon	Description
	(Clip) Judgment of Nations and Coming Great Suffering of the Saints by Brian Long	This sermon addresses the longing for revival and spiritual awakening, reflecting on past prayers for a transformative movement of God that has not yet fully manifested. It delves
	Sanctification Through the Blood by Andrew Murray	The preacher delves into the Greek word 'exegeiro,' which signifies bringing forward or lifting up historical figures to prominence, awakening from sleep, and causing to appear. Th
	Judgment Prepared in the Ungodly Ii by Aaron Dunlop	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of complacency and its consequences. He uses the analogy of thieves robbing vineyards to illustrate how God will strip away every
	The Sword in the Shadow by Allan Halton	Allan Halton emphasizes the danger of spiritual dullness caused by information overload, urging believers to carefully and prayerfully engage with God's Word to avoid becoming dese
	Important Questions by Richard Owen Roberts	The preacher delves into the meaning of 'burned up' (katakaio) in the Bible, emphasizing its significance in consuming or destroying by fire, symbolizing the ultimate purification
	Belshazzar's Feast and the Fall of Babylon by Arno Clemens Gaebelein	Arno Clemens Gaebelein delves into the historical account of Belshazzar's feast and the divine judgment that followed, showcasing the defiance and blasphemy against God that led to
	Epistle 22 by George Fox	George Fox emphasizes the importance of staying close to the inner light and the power of God's words, urging believers to avoid distractions from vain thoughts and to focus on the