King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 31:10 Mean?

Ezekiel 31:10 in the King James Version says “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;”

Ezekiel 31:10 · KJV

Context

8

The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chesnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty.

9

I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him.

10

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;

11

I have therefore delivered him into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen; he shall surely deal with him: I have driven him out for his wickedness. he: Heb. in doing he shall do unto him

12

And 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 rivers of the land; and all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him.

Read Ezekiel 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The indictment: 'his heart is lifted up in his height'—pride in God-given greatness. The Hebrew 'gabah' (lifted up) indicates arrogant self-exaltation. Pride is the foundational sin (Isaiah 14:13-14, Ezekiel 28:2,17), leading to all other evils. Assyria attributed God's gifts to themselves, bringing inevitable judgment. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Assyrian inscriptions boast of military achievements and divine favor from Ashur (their god). They credited themselves and false deities, never acknowledging Yahweh's sovereignty. This theological error brought judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas might pride be taking root in your heart because of God-given abilities or blessings?
  2. How can you cultivate humility that acknowledges God as the source of everything good in your life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
לָכֵ֗ן1 of 17
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כֹּ֤ה2 of 17
H3541

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

אָמַר֙3 of 17

“Therefore thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 17

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִ֔ה5 of 17

“GOD”

H3069

god

יַ֕עַן6 of 17
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

אֲשֶׁ֥ר7 of 17
H834

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

גָּבַ֖הְתָּ8 of 17

“Because thou hast lifted up”

H1361

to soar, i.e., be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty

בְּקוֹמָ֑ה9 of 17

“thyself in height”

H6967

height

וַיִּתֵּ֤ן10 of 17

“and he hath shot up”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

צַמַּרְתּוֹ֙11 of 17

“his top”

H6788

fleeciness, i.e., foliage

אֶל12 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֣ין13 of 17
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

עֲבוֹתִ֔ים14 of 17

“among the thick boughs”

H5688

something intwined, i.e., a string, wreath or foliage

וְרָ֥ם15 of 17

“is lifted up”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

לְבָב֖וֹ16 of 17

“and his heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

בְּגָבְהֽוֹ׃17 of 17

“in his height”

H1363

elation, grandeur, arrogance

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 31:10 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 31:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 5:20Ezekiel 28:172 Chronicles 32:25Isaiah 10:12Daniel 4:30Job 11:11-12

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Ezekiel 31 →

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