Ezekiel 31

1 et factum est in undecimo anno tertio una mensis factum est verbum Domini ad me dicens

2 fili hominis dic Pharaoni regi Aegypti et populo eius cui similis factus es in magnitudine tua

3 ecce Assur quasi cedrus in Libano pulcher ramis et frondibus nemorosus excelsusque altitudine et inter condensas frondes elevatum est cacumen eius

4 aquae nutrierunt illum abyssus exaltavit eum flumina eius manabant in circuitu radicum eius et rivos suos emisit ad universa ligna regionis

5 propterea elevata est altitudo eius super omnia ligna regionis et multiplicata sunt arbusta eius et elevati sunt rami eius prae aquis multis

6 cumque extendisset umbram suam in ramis eius fecerunt nidos omnia volatilia caeli et sub frondibus eius genuerunt omnes bestiae saltuum et sub umbraculo illius habitabat coetus gentium plurimarum

7 eratque pulcherrimus in magnitudine sua et in dilatatione arbustorum suorum erat enim radix illius iuxta aquas multas

8 cedri non fuerunt altiores illo in paradiso Dei abietes non adaequaverunt summitatem eius et platani non fuerunt aequae frondibus illius omne lignum paradisi Dei non est adsimilatum illi et pulchritudini eius

9 quoniam speciosum feci eum et multis condensisque frondibus et aemulata sunt eum omnia ligna voluptatis quae erant in paradiso Dei

10 propterea haec dicit Dominus Deus pro eo quod sublimatus est in altitudine et dedit summitatem suam virentem atque condensam et elevatum est cor eius in altitudine sua

11 tradidi eum in manu fortissimi gentium faciens faciet ei iuxta impietatem eius eieci eum

12 et succident illum alieni et crudelissimi nationum et proicient eum super montes et in cunctis convallibus corruent rami eius et confringentur arbusta eius in universis rupibus terrae et recedent de umbraculo eius omnes populi terrae et relinquent eum

13 in ruina eius habitaverunt omnia volatilia caeli et in ramis eius fuerunt universae bestiae regionis

14 quam ob rem non elevabuntur in altitudine sua omnia ligna aquarum neque ponent sublimitatem suam inter nemorosa atque frondosa nec stabunt in sublimitate eorum omnia quae inrigantur aquis quia omnes traditi sunt in mortem ad terram ultimam in medio filiorum hominum ad eos qui descendunt in lacum

15 haec dicit Dominus Deus in die quando descendit ad inferos indixi luctum operui eum abysso et prohibui flumina eius et coercui aquas multas contristatus est super eum Libanus et omnia ligna agri concussa sunt

16 a sonitu ruinae eius commovi gentes cum deducerem eum ad infernum cum his qui descendebant in lacum et consolata sunt in terra infima omnia ligna voluptatis egregia atque praeclara in Libano universa quae inrigabantur aquis

17 nam et ipsi cum ea descendent ad infernum ad interfectos gladio et brachium uniuscuiusque sedebit sub umbraculo eius in medio nationum

18 cui adsimilatus es o inclite atque sublimis inter ligna voluptatis ecce deductus es cum lignis voluptatis ad terram ultimam in medio incircumcisorum dormies cum his qui interfecti sunt gladio ipse est Pharao et omnis multitudo eius dicit Dominus Deus

Ezekiel 31 Commentary

Chapter 31

The glory of Assyria. (1-9) Its fall, and the like for Egypt. (10-18)

Verses 1-9 The falls of others, both into sin and ruin, warn us not to be secure or high-minded. The prophet is to show an instance of one whom the king of Egypt resembled in greatness, the Assyrian, compared to a stately cedar. Those who excel others, make themselves the objects of envy; but the blessings of the heavenly paradise are not liable to such alloy. The utmost security that any creature can give, is but like the shadow of a tree, a scanty and slender protection. But let us flee to God for protection, there we shall be safe. His hand must be owned in the rising of the great men of the earth, and we must not envy them. Though worldly people may seem to have firm prosperity, yet it only seems so.

Verses 10-18 The king of Egypt resembled the king of Assyria in his greatness: here we see he resembles him in his pride. And he shall resemble him in his fall. His own sin brings his ruin. None of our comforts are ever lost, but what have been a thousand times forfeited. When great men fall, many fall with them, as many have fallen before them. The fall of proud men is for warning to others, to keep them humble. See how low Pharaoh lies; and see what all his pomp and pride are come to. It is best to be a lowly tree of righteousness, yielding fruit to the glory of God, and to the good of men. The wicked man is often seen flourishing like the cedar, and spreading like the green bay tree, but he soon passes away, and his place is no more found. Let us then mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 31

This chapter contains a confirmation of the preceding prophecy, of the ruin of the king of Egypt, by the example of the king of Assyria, to whom he was like in grandeur and pride, and would be in his fall. The time of the prophecy is observed, Eze 31:1, the prophet is ordered to give the following relation to the king of Egypt, Eze 31:2 in which the king of Assyria is compared to a large and flourishing cedar, for the extent of his dominions, the prosperous state of his empire, and his exaltation above all other princes, which drew upon him their envy Eze 31:3-9, wherefore because of his pride, his heart being lifted up with these things, Eze 31:10, ruin came upon him; which is described by the instruments and manner of it, and the effects following it; mourning and fear in some, solace and comfort to others, and destruction to his associates, Eze 31:11-17, wherefore Pharaoh is called upon to consider all this, who was like to him in greatness and pride, and should have the like fate with him; nor could his greatness any more secure him than it did the Assyrian monarch, Eze 31:18.