King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 31:12 Mean?

Ezekiel 31:12 in the King James Version says “And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valle...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 31:12 · KJV

Context

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.

13

Upon his ruin shall all the fowls of the heaven remain, and all the beasts of the field shall be upon his branches:

14

To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water: for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit. their trees: or, stand upon themselves for their height

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off—זָרִים עָרִיצֵי גוֹיִם (zārîm ʿārîṣê gôyim, 'foreigners, the ruthless of nations')—Babylon again. כָּרַת (kārat, 'cut down/off') continues the tree metaphor: the great cedar is felled.

And have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen—The fallen cedar's branches scatter across mountains (הָרִים, hārîm) and valleys (גֵּאָיוֹת, gēʾāyôt)—imagery of total destruction spread over the landscape. And his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land—Assyria's far-reaching influence (branches/boughs) is shattered. And all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him—Former vassals and allies abandon the fallen power. Once, nations sought Assyria's protection ('shadow'); now all flee. Egypt will experience the same: allies deserting, influence shattered, protection gone.

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Historical & Cultural Context

When Nineveh fell (612 BC), Assyria's empire collapsed instantly. Vassal states rebelled, former allies ignored her, tributary nations ceased payments. The speed of Assyria's fall shocked the ancient world—Nahum celebrated it (Nahum 3:19). Within a generation, Assyria became a historical memory. Ezekiel uses this recent history to warn Egypt: pride brings sudden, complete, irreversible collapse.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the fallen cedar imagery teach about pride's consequences?
  2. How does abandonment by former allies demonstrate the emptiness of worldly power?
  3. Why does God use extended metaphors (tree, arms, etc.) rather than plain statements?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיִּכְרְתֻ֧הוּ1 of 22

“have cut him off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

זָרִ֛ים2 of 22

“And strangers”

H2114

to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery

עָרִיצֵ֥י3 of 22

“the terrible”

H6184

fearful, i.e., powerful or tyrannical

גוֹיִ֖ם4 of 22

“of the nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

וַֽיִּטְּשֻֽׁהוּ׃5 of 22

“and have left”

H5203

properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive

אֶל6 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הֶ֠הָרִים7 of 22

“him upon the mountains”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וּבְכָל8 of 22
H3605

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

גֵּ֨אָי֜וֹת9 of 22

“and in all the valleys”

H1516

a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)

נָפְל֣וּ10 of 22

“are fallen”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

דָלִיּוֹתָ֗יו11 of 22

“his branches”

H1808

something dangling, i.e., a bough

וַתִּשָּׁבַ֤רְנָה12 of 22

“are broken”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

פֹֽרֹאתָיו֙13 of 22

“and his boughs”

H6288

properly, ornamentation, i.e., (plural) foliage (including the limbs) as bright green

בְּכֹל֙14 of 22
H3605

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

אֲפִיקֵ֣י15 of 22

“by all the rivers”

H650

properly, containing, i.e., a tube; also a bed or valley of a stream; also a strong thing or a hero

הָאָ֖רֶץ16 of 22

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַיֵּרְד֧וּ17 of 22

“are gone down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

מִצִּלּ֛וֹ18 of 22

“from his shadow”

H6738

shade, whether literal or figurative

כָּל19 of 22
H3605

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

עַמֵּ֥י20 of 22

“and all the people”

H5971

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

הָאָ֖רֶץ21 of 22

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַֽיִּטְּשֻֽׁהוּ׃22 of 22

“and have left”

H5203

properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive

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 31:12 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 31:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 28:7Ezekiel 35:8Habakkuk 1:6Nahum 3:17-18Ezekiel 30:11Habakkuk 1:11

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