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31:1–18 This fifth oracle against Egypt draws on the historical glory and downfall of Assyria and mythological “cosmic tree” imagery to depict the coming downfall of the pharaoh and the decline of Egypt. |
31:1 the eleventh year, in the third Dates to June 21, 587 bc, almost two months after the previous prophecy (30:20–26).
31:2 Pharaoh, the king of Egypt The pharaoh at this time was Hophra.
See note on 29:2.
his crowd The Hebrew term here means “abundance” and can refer to a wealth of people. Ezekiel frequently plays on the multiple meanings of this word in his oracles against Egypt (compare 29:19; 32:12). Depending on context, the word may be translated as “wealth,” “hordes,” or “multitude.”
31:3–9 Ezekiel presents a symbolic story or allegory about a cedar, which denotes Assyria but stands for the most powerful nation of the time. By doing so, he teaches that even the mightiest of nations eventually falls to a greater power. In the ancient Near East, the cedar symbolized majesty, but Ezekiel’s description bears striking parallels with the Mesopotamian myth of a cosmic tree whose roots reach to the underworld and whose top reaches to the heavens. Presenting the fall of Assyria as the felling of a great tree echoes the denunciation of Assyria for their pride in Isa 10:5–19. The closest biblical parallel to Ezekiel’s vision is that of Daniel in Dan 4:10–12.
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Sacred Trees in Israelite Religion
31:3 Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon A cedar could grow up to 120 feet in height and 40 feet in width. The Lebanese cedars were highly prized building materials in the ancient world (see note on Isa 14:8).
Cedar ZEB A—C
Nebuchadnezzar’s Expedition to Syria ANETROT3ES
31:6 in its shadow all the many nations lived The image of a “cosmic tree” or “world tree” (see note on Ezek 31:3–9) represented world order, connecting the human world with the heavens and the netherworld. The tree is often depicted as sheltering animals or people. Ezekiel has thoroughly politicized the image, however, since Assyria dominated all neighboring nations, generating fear with their cruel and harsh military reprisals for rebellion.
31:8 the garden of God Mentioned three times in vv. 8–9 and equated with Eden in v. 9. Comparison to the ideal garden paradise of Gen 2 emphasizes the greatness of the Assyrian cedar. Mesopotamian mythology also depicts a garden reserved for the gods’ enjoyment and off limits to humans.
31:10–18 Ezekiel describes the great cedar’s fall. Although the allegory initially referred to Assyria, the indictment intentionally blurs the distinctions between past judgment on Assyria and future judgment on Egypt, alternating between second- and third-person pronouns to address the judgment’s subject. Assyria’s fall serves as a warning to Egypt, which will suffer the same fate. |
31:10 it was tall in height The Hebrew here addresses Egypt, but it is followed by a switch back to the third person in the following line.
31:11 into the hand of the leader of Assyria had been a world power for nearly three centuries before falling to Babylon about 25 years before Ezekiel’s time.
At the time of Assyria’s decline, Egypt had been allied with Assyria and had sent an army to help oppose Babylon in 609 bc. Babylon had already overrun the Assyrian capital of Nineveh in 612 bc and left the Assyrian army in tatters. In 605 bc, Nebuchadnezzar defeated the combined forces at the Battle of Carchemish. Egypt’s influence in Syria-Palestine was severely diminished after that defeat. In a sense, Egypt and Assyria fell to Babylon at the same time. One was completely destroyed, while the other returned home with no ability to exert any influence on foreign affairs.
Carchemish ISBE
31:12 strangers cut it off, the most ruthless of nations A reference to Babylon (see Ezek 28:7).
31:14 the people going down to the grave An image of descent into the underworld (see 26:20; and see note on Job 14:13).
31:15 its going down to Sheol Reflects Isaiah 14:9–10, which depicts the weakness of a once-powerful king reduced to shadowy existence in the underworld. The Hebrew text here uses the term she’ol. This term is often transliterated in English translations as Sheol as the biblical name for the domain of the dead (see note on Gen 37:35).
Old Testament Theology of the Afterlife
31:17 went down with it to Sheol All nations that had allied with Egypt suffer the same fate (see Ezek 30:5).
31:18 in the midst of the uncircumcised you will lie The Egyptians also practiced circumcision and abhorred the uncircumcised, making this characterization an intentional insult. See note on 28:10.
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About Faithlife Study BibleFaithlife Study Bible (FSB) is your guide to the ancient world of the Old and New Testaments, with study notes and articles that draw from a wide range of academic research. FSB helps you learn how to think about interpretation methods and issues so that you can gain a deeper understanding of the text. |
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