King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 31:17 Mean?

Ezekiel 31:17 in the King James Version says “They also went down into hell with him unto them that be slain with the sword; and they that were his arm, that dwelt un...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 31:17 · KJV

Context

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.

18

To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.

Read Ezekiel 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They also went down into hell with him unto them that be slain with the sword—Assyria's allies and vassals (הֵם, hēm, 'they') descended to שְׁאוֹל (shĕʾôl, 'Sheol') חֲלָלֵי־חֶרֶב (ḥălālê-ḥereb, 'slain of the sword') along with her. When empires fall, their dependents fall too.

And they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen—זְרוֹעוֹ (zĕrôʿô, 'his arm')—military allies; צִלּוֹ (ṣillô, 'his shadow')—vassal states seeking protection. Both perished with Assyria. This warns nations trusting Egypt: when she falls, you fall with her. Dependence on human power is shared doom. Only those trusting God's shadow (Psalm 91:1) find lasting protection; earthly empires' shadows vanish when they fall.

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Historical & Cultural Context

When Assyria fell (612 BC), vassal states were conquered by Babylon: Elam, parts of Media, Syrian states, etc. 'His arm' (military allies) and 'his shadow' (protected vassals) indeed descended with Assyria. Similarly, when Egypt fell to Babylon (568/567 BC), allied states suffered. The pattern holds throughout history: when superpowers collapse, dependent nations collapse with them.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does allies descending to Sheol with empires teach about misplaced trust?
  2. How does 'dwelling under his shadow' contrast with dwelling under God's shadow (Psalm 91)?
  3. What modern alliances might prove similarly fatal when 'shadows' vanish?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
גַּם1 of 13
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הֵ֗ם2 of 13
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

אִתּ֛וֹ3 of 13
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

יָרְד֥וּ4 of 13

“They also 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

שְׁא֖וֹלָה5 of 13

“into hell”

H7585

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

אֶל6 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חַלְלֵי7 of 13

“with him unto them that be slain”

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

חָ֑רֶב8 of 13

“with the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וּזְרֹע֛וֹ9 of 13

“and they that were his arm”

H2220

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

יָשְׁב֥וּ10 of 13

“that dwelt”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְצִלּ֖וֹ11 of 13

“under his shadow”

H6738

shade, whether literal or figurative

בְּת֥וֹךְ12 of 13

“in the midst”

H8432

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

גּוֹיִֽם׃13 of 13

“of the heathen”

H1471

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

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 31:17 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 31:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 9:17Ezekiel 31:6Ezekiel 31:3Nehemiah 3:17-18Ezekiel 30:6-8Lamentations 4:20

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