King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 17:9 Mean?

Ezekiel 17:9 in the King James Version says “Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit there... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.

Ezekiel 17:9 · KJV


Context

7

There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.

8

It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine. soil: Heb. field

9

Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.

10

Yea, behold, being planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows where it grew.

11

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's questions demand contemplation of rebellion's futility: 'Shall it prosper?' The answer: emphatic no. Judgment is comprehensive—Babylon 'shall pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof.' The Hebrew yabesh ('wither') denotes complete death. Critically, this destruction requires no 'great power'—Babylon's victory is divinely decreed. The principle: resisting God's sovereign purposes brings inevitable judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem (588-586 BC) after learning of the Egyptian alliance. Egyptian forces briefly appeared but retreated (Jeremiah 37:5-11). The city fell in 586 BC; Zedekiah was captured, his sons executed before his eyes, and he was blinded and taken to Babylon (2 Kings 25:1-7).

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern 'rebellions' against God's will appear to prosper but are doomed?
  2. How should certainty of God's judgment affect our choices today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
אָמַ֛ר1 of 26

Say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּ֥ה2 of 26
H3541

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

אָמַ֛ר3 of 26

Say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֥י4 of 26

the Lord

H136

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

יְהוִֹ֖ה5 of 26

GOD

H3069

god

תִּצְלָ֑ח6 of 26

Shall it prosper

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

הֲלוֹא֩7 of 26
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֶת8 of 26
H853

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

מִשָּׁרָשֶֽׁיהָ׃9 of 26

by the roots

H8328

a root (literally or figuratively)

יְנַתֵּ֜ק10 of 26

shall he not pull up

H5423

to tear off

וְאֶת11 of 26
H853

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

פִּרְיָ֣הּ׀12 of 26

the fruit

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

יְקוֹסֵ֣ס13 of 26

thereof and cut off

H7082

to lop off

תִּיבָ֔שׁ14 of 26

it shall wither

H3001

to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)

כָּל15 of 26
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

טַרְפֵּ֤י16 of 26

in all the leaves

H2964

something torn, i.e., a fragment, e.g., a fresh leaf, prey, food

צִמְחָהּ֙17 of 26

of her spring

H6780

a sprout (usually concrete), literal or figurative

תִּיבָ֔שׁ18 of 26

it shall wither

H3001

to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)

וְלֹֽא19 of 26
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

בִזְרֹ֤עַ20 of 26

power

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

גְּדוֹלָה֙21 of 26

even without great

H1419

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

וּבְעַם22 of 26

people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

רָ֔ב23 of 26

or many

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

לְמַשְׂא֥וֹת24 of 26

to pluck it up

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אוֹתָ֖הּ25 of 26
H853

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

מִשָּׁרָשֶֽׁיהָ׃26 of 26

by the roots

H8328

a root (literally or figuratively)


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 17:9 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 17:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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