King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 17:3 Mean?

Ezekiel 17:3 in the King James Version says “And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged , full of feathers, which had divers colour... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged , full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar: divers: Heb. embroidering

Ezekiel 17:3 · KJV


Context

1

And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

2

Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;

3

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged , full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar: divers: Heb. embroidering

4

He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffick; he set it in a city of merchants.

5

He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed it by great waters, and set it as a willow tree. planted: Heb. put it in a field of seed


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The 'great eagle' represents Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Eagles symbolize swift, powerful military conquest throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 28:49, Jeremiah 48:40). Lebanon's cedars represent nobility and kingship, particularly David's dynasty. This parable depicts Nebuchadnezzar taking Judah's king (Jehoiachin) to Babylon in 597 BC.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Nebuchadnezzar was ancient history's most successful military commander, conquering from Egypt to Persia. His 597 BC campaign took Jerusalem's king, nobles, and treasures, installing Zedekiah as puppet ruler.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you recognize God's sovereignty even in the actions of pagan rulers and foreign powers?
  2. What does this passage teach about God's control over international affairs and human history?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
אָמַ֣ר׀1 of 23

And say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּה2 of 23
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר׀3 of 23

And say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 23

the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֗ה5 of 23

GOD

H3069

god

הַנֶּ֤שֶׁר6 of 23

eagle

H5404

the eagle (or other large bird of prey)

גְּד֤וֹל7 of 23

A great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

גְּד֤וֹל8 of 23

A great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

הַכְּנָפַ֙יִם֙9 of 23

wings

H3671

an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna

אֶ֣רֶךְ10 of 23
H750

long

הָאֵ֔בֶר11 of 23

longwinged

H83

a pinion

מָלֵא֙12 of 23

full

H4392

full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully

הַנּוֹצָ֔ה13 of 23

of feathers

H5133

a pinion (or wing feather); often (collectively) plumage

אֲשֶׁר14 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

ל֖וֹ15 of 23
H0
הָֽרִקְמָ֑ה16 of 23

which had divers colours

H7553

variegation of color; specifically, embroidery

בָּ֚א17 of 23

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל18 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַלְּבָנ֔וֹן19 of 23

unto Lebanon

H3844

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

וַיִּקַּ֖ח20 of 23

and took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת21 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

צַמֶּ֥רֶת22 of 23

the highest branch

H6788

fleeciness, i.e., foliage

הָאָֽרֶז׃23 of 23

of the cedar

H730

a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 17:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 17:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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