Ezekiel 31
DortThe time of this prophesy, ver. 1 wherein God presenteth before the eyes of King Pharaoh and his people, the eminency, glory, and pride of the king and kingdom of Assyria, under the parable of an high fair Cedar-tree, 2, 3, c and their ruine because of their pride and haughtiness, 10, 11, c. for an example to all others, 14 and that it shall fare just so with Pharaoh and his people, 10, 18.
1. Also it came to pass in the eleventh year, [after the transportation of Jojachin. See above chapter 1.2, c. in the third (moneth), on the first (day) of the moneth (that) the word of the Lord came unto me, saying:
2. Child of man, say unto Pharaoh the King of Egypt, and his multitude, [that is, all his people] whom thou art thou like in thy greatness? [As if God should say; dost thou imagine that there was never any one like unto thee, and that therefore nothing can hurt thee? Take notice of the great and mighty monach of Assyria, and see what became of him, and look thou to fare alike, as followeth compare Isaiah 29:13.]
3. Behold Assur [The King of Assyria] wasa Cedar [That is, was like unto a Cedar-tree] on Libanon, fair in branches, shadowy in leaf, [or shadowing, making a shadowing forest, or wood, as the Hebrew word hath the signification of forest and sprigs, branches, or leaf] and high of flock, [chap. 17.6.] and his top was between the close broughs. [by this whole figurative speech is signified the greatness, glory, and power of the Assyrian Monarchy. See Judge. 9 on verse 15. And compared Sal. 80.9. above chapter 17.3,22,23. Daniel 4:10, c.]
4. The waters made him great, [that is, the situation and affluence that I afforded him of all things that might serve to increase his estate. Compare chapter 17.5,8 and 19.10, c. and below verse 9.] The deep [that is, deep waters great depths] made him high: the same [deep, or depth] went with her fire arms round about his planting, [As above chapter 17.7.] and sent out her conducts unto all the trees of the field. [That is, he communicated of his abundance and superfluity to other kings that were less then he, and prospered by his means.
5. Therefore his flock came higher then all the trees of the field: and his boughs became manifold, and his branches long, because of the great waters, [see verse 4] when he shot forth. [cast forth his branches, and spread himself abroad. Compare above chapter 17.6 or, when he budden forth: or got buds, or blossoms].
6. All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and all the beasts of the field brought forth their young under his shadow: [Heb. All fowls made their nests, and so all beasts did cast their young, or brought forth their young: that is, all manner of, or many nations were under his command and dominion. So Daniel 4:12.] And all great nations sate under his shadow. [Defense or protection, addressing themselves unto him. Psalms 9:1. So below verse 17.]
7. Thus was he fair in his greatness, (and) in the length of his branches: because his root was by great waters.
8. The Cedars in the garden of God did not darken him [that is, other kings or princes, though they were also great and glorious like the cedars of a paradise as the first was, could not darken or hide his luster or brightness: as the fun darkeneth the shining of the other stars in the day-time, so did he darken all the luster and darkness of other kings and princes. Compare above chapter 28.13 and below verse 9.16.] The fir-trees were not like hi boughs, and the chestnut trees were not like his branches: no tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty. [Heb. Every tree was not, c that is, no tree was, &c. see 1 kings 11 on verse 34. So below verse 14.]
9. I had made him (so) fair by the multitude of his branches, that all the trees of Eden that were in the garden of God, envied him.
10. Therefore thus saith the Lord LORD; thou hast exalted thy self for (thy) stock: [Compare verse 14. this may be taken for a speech directed to the Assyrian, of whom God immediately (as elsewhere) speaketh again I the third person: or as an abrupt speech unto Pharaoh, the consummation whereof followeth below verse 18. as if God should say, because thou should exalteth thy self. See now (I pray) what the Assyrian also did, and how I punished him for it, c.] Yea he did put up [Heb. Gave. Compare (concerning the use of the Hebrew word, which according to the nature and quality of things admitteth of various significations) 2 Sam. 18. On verse 9 and above chapter 27.12, &c. so verse 14.] His top above the midst of the close boughs, [Heb. As if one should say the betweenness, c. that is, he excelled among and exalted himself above other Kings, Lords, Princes. C. Compare above chapter 19.11. And his heart was lifted up because of his height:
11. Therefore I delivered him into the hand of the mightiest of the heathen: [inot power of the king of Babel, Berosach, or Merodach-Baladam, and also Nebuchadnezzar, who transferred the Assyrian Monarchy (whereof Esar-baddon, the son of Sennacherib, is held to have been the last king. See 2 Kings 19 on verse 37 and of that Berodach, 2 Kings 20 on verse 12) to the Babylonians] (that) he may handle him exactly: [Heb. Doing he may do it to him, dealing deal with him, or did, or did, dealt he with him, as some. Some understand this phrase thus, according to his pleasure according as he ought to be dealt with] I drave him out for his wickedness.
12. And strangers the most tyrannical of the heathen [as above chapter 28.7.] cut him off, and left him: [here followeth a figurative description of the ruine of the Assyrian Monarchy] his branches fell upon the mountains in the valleys [as in great overthrows all places, both mountain and valleys are wont to be full of slain men and plunder] and his grafts were broken by all the streams of the land, [or of the earth] and all the nations of the earth went down from his shadow, and left him.
13. All ye fowls of the heaven dwell upon his flock that is fallen down, [Or fallen flock. Heb. Fall; that is; other nations took his kingdome, possessed it, and laughed him to scorn] and all the beasts of his field were upon his branches. [Heb. Every fowl, every beast, c. as above verse 10.]
14. That no trees by the waters may exalt themselves for their stock, [Heb. All the trees of the water or of the waters may not, c. compare above verse 8. And so in the sequel] neither put their top above the midst of the close boughs, [as above verse 10.] neither any (trees) that drink water, [that is, those that are filled with all plenty by my blessing and suffer no want. So verse 16. Compare above on verse 4.8.] May stand upon themselves because of their height: [this phrase is also usual in our language, for trusting in oneself, or lifting up the hand high; the contrary whereof is to walk humbly before God. Compare the phrase below chapter 33.26. The meaning is that God would make this great Monarchy and example of his judice. That it might be a warning unto all great and mighty men on earth, and here especially unto Pharaoh, to the end that no man might lift up himself against him, and be wicked, left by like sins he falls into like plagues, which he shall not be able to avoid by any humane power] for they are all delivered unto death, to the lowermost (parts) of the earth, [Heb. The lowermost earth; or the earth that is beneath. So verse 16.18.] In the midst of the children of men [that is, among the common, or meaner sort of people. See Psalms 4 on verse 3] to them tat go down into the pit.
15. Thus saith the Lord LORD, in the day when he went down to hell, [see of the Hebrew word Sheol, Gen. 37 on verse 35. so ver 16.17,18 and below chapter 32.21,22 ad the sequel there. By comparing of which places, (as also of the former verse) it appeareth that it is here taken for the grave, with the adhering miserable and reproachful condition of the deceased wicked ones in hell] I caused a mourning, I covered the deep for him, [that is, I put it in such a condition that it was as if it mourned. (So below wrapped about) see 2 Sam. 15 on verse 30. See of the word deep, above verse 4.] And restrained the floods thereof, [I withheld my temporal blessing] and the great waters were stayed: and I made the Libanon black for him, [as if all the Cedars (that is, great ones) were in morning. See Psalms 35 on verse 14. And all the trees of the field were wrapped about for him [that is, a figurative description of the common terrour which God by this judgement of his upon the Assyrian, caused among all great ones, and the nations that had prospered (as above) by his riches. Compare above chapter 27.29. And the following verses there]
16. I made the heathen to tremble at the sound of his fall, when I caused him to go down to hell with them that go down into the pit: and all the trees of Eden, [See above verse 8,9.] the choice and the best of Libanon, all (the trees) that drink water, [as above verse 14 comforted themselves in the lowermost (parts) of the earth. [It is spoken figuratively, as if one should say; it was a comfort to them, that they had such great companion with them in their suffering. Compare Isaiah 14:8,9,10. With the Annotat. Also above chapter 14.22 and 16.54 and chap32.31, c.]
17. They also went down into hell with him, unto them that are slain by the sword: and they that had been his arm, [that is, strength; that had hardened and upheld him] (that) had sat under his shadow [as above verse 6] in the midst of the heathen. [Or thus; with his arm (that is, his kingdome) under whose shadow they, c.]
18. to whom art thou thus like in glory and gladness, among the trees of Eden? [Thou O Pharaoh that thinketh that there is none like unto thee. See above verse 2.] yea thou shalt be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the lowermost (parts) of the earth; thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised, [see above chapter 28.on verse 10.] with them that are slain by the sword: that is Pharaoh, {as if God should say, behold here a lively picture and pattern of this proud king pharaoh: just so firm and sure is his condition, as this Assyrians was, and so shall he with all his pomp and pride] and all his multitude. [Understand this either of the riches or people, or with all his stir, rumour, or noise, see above chapter 29.19.]