King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 31:15 Mean?

Ezekiel 31:15 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 31:15 · KJV

Context

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.

17

They also went down into hell with him unto them that be slain with the sword; and they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen.

Read Ezekiel 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when he went down to the grave—When Assyria descended to שְׁאוֹל (shĕʾôl, 'Sheol/grave'), nature itself mourned. I caused a mourning: I covered the deep for him—God made תְּהוֹם (tĕhôm, 'the deep/primordial waters') mourn. This cosmic imagery suggests creation itself responds to great empires' falls.

And I restrained the floods thereof, and the great waters were stayed—Rivers stopped flowing in mourning. And I caused Lebanon to mourn for him, and all the trees of the field fainted for him—לְבָנוֹן (Lĕbānôn, Lebanon) famous for cedars, mourns; all trees עֻלְּפֶה (ʿullĕpeh, 'faint/languish'). This hyperbolic poetic imagery depicts Assyria's fall as cosmically significant—creation itself grieves. Yet this 'mourning' is ironic: not honor but horror. The same creation that 'mourns' empires' fall will rejoice at God's kingdom (Psalm 96:11-13).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Assyria's fall in 612 BC did shock the known world. Nahum prophesied it; when it occurred, the speed and completeness stunned observers. Nations that suffered under Assyrian brutality celebrated (Nahum 3:19). The 'cosmic mourning' imagery reflects the magnitude of Assyria's collapse—reorganizing the entire geopolitical landscape. Egypt would similarly shock the world by falling.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does cosmic imagery (creation mourning) teach about empires' significance?
  2. How is this 'mourning' ironic—horror rather than honor?
  3. What does the contrast between creation mourning empires but rejoicing in God's kingdom reveal?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
כֹּֽה1 of 25
H3541

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

אָמַ֞ר2 of 25

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י3 of 25

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִ֗ה4 of 25
H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְּי֨וֹם5 of 25

“In the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

רִדְתּ֤וֹ6 of 25

“when he went 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

שְׁא֙וֹלָה֙7 of 25

“to the grave”

H7585

hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates

הֶאֱבַ֜לְתִּי8 of 25

“I caused a mourning”

H56

to bewail

כִּסֵּ֤תִי9 of 25

“I covered”

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

עָלָיו֙10 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֶת11 of 25
H853

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

תְּה֔וֹם12 of 25

“the deep”

H8415

an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean watersupply)

וָֽאֶמְנַע֙13 of 25

“for him and I restrained”

H4513

to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury

נַהֲרוֹתֶ֔יהָ14 of 25

“the floods”

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

וַיִּכָּלְא֖וּ15 of 25

“were stayed”

H3607

to restrict, by act (hold back or in) or word (prohibit)

מַ֣יִם16 of 25

“waters”

H4325

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

רַבִּ֑ים17 of 25

“thereof and the great”

H7227

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

וָאַקְדִּ֤ר18 of 25

“to mourn”

H6937

to be ashy, i.e., dark-colored; by implication, to mourn (in sackcloth or sordid garments)

עָלָיו֙19 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לְבָנ֔וֹן20 of 25

“and I caused Lebanon”

H3844

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

וְכָל21 of 25
H3605

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

עֲצֵ֥י22 of 25

“for him and all the trees”

H6086

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

הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה23 of 25

“of the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

עָלָ֥יו24 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עֻלְפֶּֽה׃25 of 25

“fainted”

H5969

an envelope, i.e., (figuratively) mourning

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 31:15 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 31:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Malachi 3:4Nahum 2:8-10Revelation 18:18-19Revelation 18:9-11

Places in This Verse

AssyriaRegion · Modern: Nineveh · 36.36°N, 43.15°E141 verses across 15 books
LebanonRegion · Modern: Jezzine · 33.54°N, 35.58°E57 verses across 16 books
View all places in Ezekiel 31 →

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