King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 31:14 Mean?

Ezekiel 31:14 in the King James Version says “To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot up their top among ... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezekiel 31:14 · KJV


Context

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

15

Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when he went down to the grave I caused a mourning: I covered the deep for him, and I restrained the floods thereof, and the great waters were stayed: and I caused Lebanon to mourn for him, and all the trees of the field fainted for him. to mourn: Heb. to be black

16

I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that descend into the pit: and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall be comforted in the nether parts of the earth.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height—The purpose (לְמַעַן, lĕmaʿan, 'in order that') of publicizing Assyria's fall: warning other nations. אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יִגְבְּהוּ (ăsher lōʾ-yigbĕhû, 'that they may not exalt themselves') בְקוֹמָתָם (bĕqômātām, 'in their height').

Neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water—Even well-watered, prosperous nations must not pride themselves. 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—All nations face מָוֶת (māwet, 'death'), אֶרֶץ תַּחְתִּית (ʾereṣ taḥtît, 'lowest earth/underworld'), בּוֹר (bôr, 'pit/Sheol'). No matter how great, all empires are mortal. This levels all human achievement: Assyria, Egypt, Babylon, Greece, Rome—all descend to the pit. Only God's kingdom endures (Daniel 2:44).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Every ancient superpower Ezekiel's audience knew eventually fell: Assyria (612 BC), Babylon (539 BC), Persia (331 BC), Greece (30 BC), Rome (476 AD). Each thought itself eternal; each ended. The 'trees by the waters' (well-resourced empires) all fell. This pattern continues throughout history, demonstrating that human glory is temporal, divine kingdom eternal.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the mortality of all empires serve as a warning against pride?
  2. What does 'delivered unto death...with them that go down to the pit' teach about human achievement?
  3. How should awareness of our own mortality and nation's temporality affect our priorities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 35 words
לְמַ֡עַן1 of 35
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

אֲשֶׁר֩2 of 35
H834

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

לֹא3 of 35
H3808

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

יִגְבְּה֨וּ4 of 35

exalt

H1361

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

בְקוֹמָתָ֜ם5 of 35

themselves for their height

H6967

height

כָּל6 of 35
H3605

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

עֲצֵי7 of 35

To the end that none of all the trees

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

מָ֑יִם8 of 35

by the waters

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וְלֹֽא9 of 35
H3808

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

נִתְּנ֨וּ10 of 35

for they are all delivered

H5414

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

אֶת11 of 35
H853

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

צַמַּרְתָּם֙12 of 35

their top

H6788

fleeciness, i.e., foliage

אֶל13 of 35
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֣ין14 of 35
H996

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

עֲבֹתִ֔ים15 of 35

among the thick boughs

H5688

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

וְלֹֽא16 of 35
H3808

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

יַעַמְד֧וּ17 of 35

stand up

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

אֵלֵיהֶ֛ם18 of 35

neither their trees

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

בְּגָבְהָ֖ם19 of 35

in their height

H1363

elation, grandeur, arrogance

כָּל20 of 35
H3605

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

שֹׁ֣תֵי21 of 35

all that drink

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

מָ֑יִם22 of 35

by the waters

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

כִּֽי23 of 35
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֻלָּם֩24 of 35
H3605

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

נִתְּנ֨וּ25 of 35

for they are all delivered

H5414

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

לַמָּ֜וֶת26 of 35

unto death

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

אֶל27 of 35
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֣רֶץ28 of 35

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

תַּחְתִּ֗ית29 of 35

to the nether parts

H8482

lowermost; as noun (feminine plural) the depths (figuratively, a pit, the womb)

בְּת֛וֹךְ30 of 35

in the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

בְּנֵ֥י31 of 35

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָ֖ם32 of 35

of men

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

אֶל33 of 35
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

י֥וֹרְדֵי34 of 35

with them that go 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

בֽוֹר׃35 of 35

to the pit

H953

a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)


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 31:14 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 31:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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