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Ezekiel 31:3

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 31:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Behold, 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Behold, 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.
Ezekiel 31:3 — 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.
6All the birds of the heavens made their nests in its boughs; and under its branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young; and under its shadow dwelt all great nations.
← Ezekiel 31:2Ezekiel 31:4 →
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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
“Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon, &c.] Here grew the tallest, most stately, broad and flourishing ones. This sense is, that he was as one of them; comparable to one, for his exaltation and dignity; for the largeness of his dominion, the flourishing circumstances of it, and its long duration; that empire having lasted from the times of Nimrod unto a few years of the present time; for this is to be understood, either of the monarchy itself, or of Esarhaddon; or rather of Chynilidanus, or Saracus, the last king of it. The Septuagint, and Arabic versions render it the “cypariss” in Lebanon; but not that, but the cedar, grew there, and which best suits the comparison: with fair…”
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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
“He illustrates the pride and the consequent overthrow of the Assyrian, that Egypt may the better know what she must expect. cedar in Lebanon--often eighty feet high, and the diameter of the space covered by its boughs still greater: the symmetry perfect. Compare the similar image (Eze 17:3; Dan 4:20-22). with a shadowing shroud--with an overshadowing thicket. top . . . among . . . thick boughs--rather [HENGSTENBERG], "among the clouds." But English Version agrees better with the Hebrew. The top, or topmost shoot, represents the king; the thick boughs, the large resources of the empire.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Fifth prophecy against Egypt: a warning to Pharaoh from the fate of the Assyrians. The Assyrian empire, after having been supreme in Asia for four centuries, had been overthrown by the united forces of the Babylonians and Medes, in the year of the battle of Carchemish (605 b.c.), which had broken the power of Egypt. This gives force to the warning to Egypt from Assyria’s fall. Ezekiel 31:4 His plants - Rather, her plantation. The water represents the riches and might which flowed into Assyria. Ezekiel 31:5 When be shot forth - Or, when the deep water sent forth its streams. Ezekiel 31:8 Garden of God - Paradise. return to 'Top of Page'”
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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
“A cedar - Like the most goodly cedar for strength and beauty. Ezekiel 31:4”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the Assyrian: Nahum 3:1-19; Zep 2:13 a cedar: Eze 17:3, Eze 17:4, Eze 17:22; Isa 10:33, Isa 10:34, Isa 37:24; Dan 4:10, Dan 4:20-23; Zac 11:2 with fair branches: Heb. fair of branches of an high: Eze 31:6; Jdg 9:15; Dan 4:12 Ezekiel 31:4”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification