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Ezekiel 31:9

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 31:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I made it fair by the multitude of its branches, so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied it.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I made it fair by the multitude of its branches, so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied it.
Ezekiel 31:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
7Thus was it fair in its greatness, in the length of its branches; for its root was by many waters.
8The cedars in the garden of God could not hide it; the fir-trees were not like its boughs, and the plane-trees were not as its branches; nor was any tree in the garden of God like unto it in its beauty.
9I made it fair by the multitude of its branches, so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied it.
10Therefore thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because thou art exalted in stature, and he hath set his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;
11I will even deliver him into the hand of the mighty one of the nations; he shall surely deal with him; I have driven him out for his wickedness.
12And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the watercourses of the land; and all the peoples of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him.
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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
“I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches, &c.] Or provinces, the extensiveness of his dominions: all his power and strength, riches and wealth, grandeur and glory, and the vast dominions he was possessed of, were all from the Lord; as whatever kings have are, though they are too apt to ascribe it to themselves; but all are from him, by whom kings reign: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him; all the kings of the earth, though they dared not openly speak against him, or oppose him; yet they inwardly grieved at and secretly grudged his grandeur and majesty, superior to theirs, and wished themselves in his stead; and could gladly have done…”
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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
“I . . . made him--It was all due to My free grace.”
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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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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“made: Eze 16:14; Exo 9:16; Psa 75:6, Psa 75:7; Dan 2:21, Dan 2:37, Dan 2:38, Dan 4:22-25, Dan 5:20-23 all the trees: Eze 17:22, Eze 17:24; Jdg 9:8-20; Psa 96:12, Psa 96:13; Isa 55:12; Zac 11:2 envied: Gen 26:14, Gen 37:11; Sa1 18:15; Pro 27:4; Ecc 4:4; Jam 4:5, Jam 4:6 Ezekiel 31:10”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification