King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 31:18 Mean?

Ezekiel 31:18 in the King James Version says “To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the tr... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 31:18 · KJV


Context

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden?—Rhetorical question to Pharaoh: which Eden tree compares to you? The answer: none, yet all fell. Yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth—Despite glory and greatness, Egypt will descend אֶל־אֶרֶץ תַּחְתִּית (ʾel-ʾereṣ taḥtît, 'to the lowest earth').

Thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword—Among עֲרֵלִים (ʿărēlîm, 'uncircumcised')—for Egypt, ritually contemptible (Egyptians practiced circumcision, viewing uncircumcised as barbarous). This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD—The identification הוּא פַרְעֹה (hûʾ pharʿōh, 'this is Pharaoh') personalizes the judgment. All the metaphors—great cedar, mighty tree, glory of Eden—describe Egypt's king and nation. Their fate is sealed: Sheol, among the uncircumcised, slain by the sword. The oracle against Egypt (chapters 29-32) concludes with this grim certainty.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This concluding verse of chapter 31 (given 587 BC) proved accurate. Egypt fell to Babylon (568/567 BC), declined under Persia (525 BC), and lost independence permanently. 'Lying among the uncircumcised'—Egypt's proud civilization reduced to ignominy—fulfilled exactly. Ezekiel's extended metaphor (cedar, Eden trees, Sheol descent) proved prophetically accurate in historical reality.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the rhetorical force of asking 'to whom art thou like?' before declaring shared doom?
  2. How does lying 'among the uncircumcised' add insult to injury for Egypt?
  3. What do extended metaphors (tree, arm, etc.) accomplish that plain prophecy cannot?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
אֶל1 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִ֨י2 of 28
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

דָמִ֥יתָ3 of 28

To whom art thou thus like

H1819

to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider

כָּ֛כָה4 of 28
H3602

just so, referring to the previous or following context

בְּכָב֥וֹד5 of 28

in glory

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

וּבְגֹ֖דֶל6 of 28

and in greatness

H1433

magnitude (literally or figuratively)

עֲצֵי7 of 28

among the trees

H6086

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

עֵ֜דֶן8 of 28

of Eden

H5731

eden, the region of adam's home

וְהוּרַדְתָּ֙9 of 28

yet shalt thou be brought 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

אֶת10 of 28
H854

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

עֲצֵי11 of 28

among the trees

H6086

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

עֵ֜דֶן12 of 28

of Eden

H5731

eden, the region of adam's home

אֶל13 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֣רֶץ14 of 28

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

תַּחְתִּ֗ית15 of 28

unto the nether parts

H8482

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

בְּת֨וֹךְ16 of 28

in the midst

H8432

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

עֲרֵלִ֤ים17 of 28

of the uncircumcised

H6189

properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)

תִּשְׁכַּב֙18 of 28

thou shalt lie

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

אֶת19 of 28
H854

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

חַלְלֵי20 of 28

with them that be slain

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

חֶ֔רֶב21 of 28

by the sword

H2719

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

ה֤וּא22 of 28
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

פַרְעֹה֙23 of 28

This is Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

וְכָל24 of 28
H3605

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

הֲמוֹנֹ֔ה25 of 28

and all his multitude

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

נְאֻ֖ם26 of 28

saith

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י27 of 28

the Lord

H136

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

יְהוִֽה׃28 of 28

GOD

H3069

god


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 31:18 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 31:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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