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Ezekiel 31:2

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 31:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Son of man, say unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude: Whom art thou like in thy greatness?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Son of man, say unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude: Whom art thou like in thy greatness?
Ezekiel 31:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third [month], in the first [day] of the month, that the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
2Son of man, say unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude: Whom art thou like in thy greatness?
3Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a forest-like shade, and of high stature; and its top was among the thick boughs.
4The waters nourished it, the deep made it to grow: the rivers thereof ran round about its plantation; and it sent out its channels unto all the trees of the field.
5Therefore its stature was exalted above all the trees of the field; and its boughs were multiplied, and its branches became long by reason of many waters, when it shot [them] forth.
← Ezekiel 31:1Ezekiel 31:3 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, &c.] To Pharaohhophra, the then reigning king; not to him personally by word of mouth, for the prophet was now in Chaldea; but by delivering out a prophecy concerning him, and which he might have an opportunity of sending to him: and to his multitude; the multitude of his subjects, of which he boasted, and in whom he trusted: whom art thou like in thy greatness? look over all the records of time, and into all the empires, kingdoms, and states that have been; draw a comparison between thyself and the greatest potentate that ever was; fancy thyself to be equal to him; this will not secure thee from ruin and destruction; for as they have been…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Whom art thou like--The answer is, Thou art like the haughty king of Assyria; as he was overthrown by the Chaldeans, so shalt thou be by the same.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“His multitude - His numerous subjects. Ezekiel 31:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“31:2-4 The cedar of Lebanon is a tree that was known for its visual splendor and commercial and military value. • Like a tree whose crown was among the clouds, Assyria’s military had once been strong beyond comparison to any other army.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“speak: Jer 1:5, Jer 1:17; Rev 10:11 to his: Eze 29:19, Eze 30:10; Nah 3:8-10 Whom: Eze 31:18; Isa 14:13, Isa 14:14 Ezekiel 31:3”
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Related study paths

Read Ezekiel 31 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification