Ezekiel 31:1-9 · Bible study
Ezekiel 31:1-9 Commentary: The Cedar of Pride
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Ezekiel compares Egypt to Assyria's towering cedar, a symbol of pride that falls. A prophecy timed just weeks before Jerusalem's destruction.
Research Summary
- Meaning: A warning to Egypt from the fate of Assyria, depicted as a glorious cedar cut down for pride.
- Key words: 'Assyrian' (or 'tall cedar'), 'waters' (resources/nations), 'garden of God' (Eden as archetype of glory).
- Main debate: Whether 'Asshur' is a proper name (Assyria) or an appellative ('the tall cedar').
- Theological theme: God alone gives power; pride that forgets the Giver leads to judgment.
- Best use: A cautionary study for leaders, nations, and anyone tempted to take credit for God's gifts.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
1In the eleventh year, on the first day of the third month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
2“Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: ‘Who can be compared to your greatness?
3Look at Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches that shaded the forest. It towered on high; its top was among the clouds.
4The waters made it grow; the deep springs made it tall, directing their streams all around its base and sending their channels to all the trees of the field.
5Therefore it towered higher than all the trees of the field. Its branches multiplied, and its boughs grew long as it spread them out because of the abundant waters.
6All the birds of the air nested in its branches, and all the beasts of the field gave birth beneath its boughs; all the great nations lived in its shade.
7It was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its limbs, for its roots extended to abundant waters.
8The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it; the cypresses could not compare with its branches, nor the plane trees match its boughs. No tree in the garden of God could compare with its beauty.
9I made it beautiful with its many branches, the envy of all the trees of Eden, which were in the garden of God.’
WEB World English Bible 2000
1In the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first day of the month, Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,
2“Son of man, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt and his multitude: ‘Whom are you like in your greatness?
3Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with beautiful branches, and with a forest-like shade, of high stature; and its top was among the thick boughs.
4The waters nourished it. The deep made it to grow. Its rivers ran all around its plantation. It sent out its channels to all the trees of the field.
5Therefore its stature was exalted above all the trees of the field; and its boughs were multiplied. Its branches became long by reason of many waters, when it spread them out.
6All the birds of the sky made their nests in its boughs. Under its branches, all the animals of the field gave birth to their young. All great nations lived under its shadow.
7Thus it was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches; for its root was by many waters.
8The cedars in the garden of God could not hide it. The cypress trees were not like its branches. The pine trees were not like its branches; nor was any tree in the garden of God like it in its beauty.
9I made it beautiful by the multitude of its branches, so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied it.’
KJV King James Version 1769
1And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first day of the month, that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
2Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness?
3Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs.
4The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field.
5Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth.
6All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.
7Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters.
8The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chesnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty.
9I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
1And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the thirdmonth, in the firstdayof the month, that the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
2Son of man, say unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude: Whom art thou like in thy greatness?
3Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a forest-like shade, and of high stature; and its top was among the thick boughs.
4The waters nourished it, the deep made it to grow: the rivers thereof ran round about its plantation; and it sent out its channels unto all the trees of the field.
5Therefore its stature was exalted above all the trees of the field; and its boughs were multiplied, and its branches became long by reason of many waters, when it shot them forth.
6All the birds of the heavens made their nests in its boughs; and under its branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young; and under its shadow dwelt all great nations.
7Thus was it fair in its greatness, in the length of its branches; for its root was by many waters.
8The cedars in the garden of God could not hide it; the fir-trees were not like its boughs, and the plane-trees were not as its branches; nor was any tree in the garden of God like unto it in its beauty.
9I made it fair by the multitude of its branches, so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied it.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
1And it cometh to pass, in the eleventh year, in the third month , in the first of the month, hath a word of Jehovah been unto me, saying:
2`Son of man, say unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and unto his multitude: To whom hast thou been like in thy greatness?
3Lo, Asshur, a cedar in Lebanon, Fair in branch, and shading bough, and high in stature, And between thickets hath its foliage been.
4Waters have made it great, The deep hath exalted him with its flowings, Going round about its planting, And its conduits it hath sent forth unto all trees of the field.
5Therefore higher hath been his stature than all trees of the field, And multiplied are his boughs, and long are his branches, Because of many waters in his shooting forth,
6In his boughs made a nest hath every fowl of the heavens, And under his branches brought forth hath every beast of the field, And in his shade dwell do all great nations.
7And he is fair in his greatness, In the length of his thin shoots, For his root hath been by great waters.
8Cedars have not hid him in the garden of God, Firs have not been like unto his boughs, And chesnut-trees have not been as his branches, No tree in the garden of God hath been like unto him in his beauty,
9Fair I have made him in the multitude of his thin shoots, And envy him do all trees of Eden that are in the garden of God.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
1And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third [month], on the first of the month, [that] the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
2Son of man, say unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude: Whom art thou like in thy greatness?
3Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, with fair branches and a shadowing shroud, and of a high stature: and his top was amidst the thick boughs.
4The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high; its streams ran round about his plantation, and it sent out its rivulets unto all the trees of the field.
5Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long, because of great waters, when he shot forth.
6All the fowl of the heavens made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all the great nations.
7Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: because his root was by great waters.
8The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him; the cypresses were not like his boughs, and the plane-trees were not as his branches: no tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty.
9I had made him fair by the multitude of his branches; and all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
1And it came to pass, in the eleventh year, the third month the first day of the month, that the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
2Son of man, speak to Pharao king of Egypt, and to his people: To whom art thou like in thy greatness?
3Behold, the Assyrian like a cedar in Libanus, with fair branches, and full of leaves, of a high stature, and his top was elevated among the thick boughs.
4The waters nourished him, the deep set him tip on high, the streams thereof ran round about his roots, and it sent, forth its rivulets to all the trees of the country.
5Therefore was his height exalted above all the trees of the country and his branches were multiplied, and his boughs were elevated because of many waters.
6And when he had spread forth his shadow, all the fowls of the air made their nests in his boughs, and all the beasts of the forest brought forth their young under his branches, and the assembly of many nations dwelt under his shadow.
7And he was most beautiful for his greatness, and for the spreading of his branches: for his root was near great waters.
8The cedars in the paradise of God were not higher than he, the fir trees did not equal his top, neither were the plane trees to be compared with him for branches: no tree in the paradise of God was like him in his beauty.
9For I made him beautiful and thick set with many branches: and all the trees of pleasure, that were in the paradise of God, envied him.
Verse in Context
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree this passage uses Assyria as a historical warning for Egypt. The cedar in Lebanon represents Assyria's power and reach, and the description draws on Eden imagery to stress its unmatched glory. As Barnes, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, and the Cambridge Bible note, the point is not simply to recount Assyria's fate but to tell Pharaoh: you are no different. The same pride that lifted Assyria will bring you down. The date of the prophecy, just weeks before Jerusalem's fall (July 587 BC), sharpens the urgency. Keil and Delitzsch observe that the phrase 'his multitude' (Ezekiel 31:2) refers to the noisy, restless throng of Egypt's people and resources. The imagery of waters feeding the tree alludes to the Nile (Clarke), while the 'deep' and 'rivers' suggest the abundance that made both Assyria and Egypt great. The consensus is clear: the passage is a mirror held up to Pharaoh, showing him his own reflection in Assyria's ruin.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The passage condemns pride and announces judgment on Egypt, using Assyria's fall as a clear precedent.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of 'Asshur' | Most English translations read 'Assyrian' as a proper noun referring to the Assyrian Empire. | Some commentators (e.g., Lowth, Clarke) take it as an appellative meaning 'the tall cedar,' pointing to Egypt itself. |
| The 'garden of God' | The imagery evokes Eden and indicates supreme beauty and divine favor. | Some see a literal Eden, others a metaphor for the height of earthly power. |
| Date significance | The date (eleventh year, third month, first day) places this prophecy just before Jerusalem's fall. | Some emphasize it as a fixed historical marker; others see it as symbolizing the urgency of judgment. |
| Purpose of the allegory | The passage warns Egypt that pride leads to downfall, using Assyria as an example. | Whether the primary audience is Pharaoh (individual) or Egypt (nation) is interpreted differently. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Ezekiel dates this prophecy precisely: the eleventh year, third month, first day (Ezekiel 31:1). That places it in July 587 BC, less than two months before Jerusalem fell to Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 52:5-6). Ezekiel's audience, already in exile, knew the city was under siege. The prophet brings a word about Egypt at the moment Judah's hope of rescue was failing.
The 'Assyrian' (Ezekiel 31:3) refers to the Assyrian Empire, which had dominated the Near East for centuries. Its capital Nineveh fell in 612 BC, and its final defeat came at Carchemish in 605 BC. Babylon now held supremacy. Egypt, under Pharaoh Hophra, had tried to challenge Babylon and meddled in Judah's affairs, promising protection that never arrived. Ezekiel uses Assyria's history as a cautionary tale: the great empire that once sheltered nations (v.6) was cut down for its arrogance.
The cedar imagery draws on Lebanon's famous trees, but the language also echoes Eden (Ezekiel 31:8-9). 'The garden of God' and 'trees of Eden' paint Assyria (and by extension Egypt) as a world power nearly matching the original creation's glory. This is not local color, it is theology. The nations are accountable to the Creator, and their beauty is a gift from God (v.9: 'I made it beautiful'). The same God who grants power can remove it.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for this passage. The reading 'Assyrian' vs. 'tall cedar' (Ashshur) is a translational question, not a manuscript variant. All major Hebrew manuscripts read אשור, which can mean Assyria or a type of cedar depending on context.
Reception History
Early Christian writers, including Jerome, read Ezekiel 31 as a warning against pride applied to all rulers. The oak and cedar imagery influenced medieval depictions of the fall of empires. During the Reformation, commentators like Calvin used it to teach that God humbles the proud. In modern times, the passage is often cited in political contexts to argue that no nation is invincible. The phrase 'the envy of all the trees of Eden' has been used in hymns about human glory and its transience. Across traditions, the passage has consistently served as a mirror for leaders who forget that their power comes from God.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The gift of greatness (vv.1-5), God gives nations resources, influence, and reach. The cedar grows because the waters nourish it, a picture of divine provision.
- The reach of pride (vv.6-8), The tree shelters all creatures, yet its height leads to envy and self-exaltation. Nations and individuals alike are tempted to forget the Source.
- The envy of Eden (v.9), When God's gifts become grounds for comparison, the result is envy and judgment. The passage warns that human boasting invites a fall.
Five-point outline
- Date matters (v.1), Timely word for a people under siege.
- Question of comparison (v.2), 'Whom are you like?' forces self-examination.
- Anatomy of success (vv.3-5), Resources, growth, influence, all from God's hand.
- Shelter and shadow (v.6), The nations rest under the tree; power can provide or oppress.
- Unrivaled beauty, but not invulnerable (vv.7-9), The finest tree still faces judgment.
Illustration hooks
- A CEO receiving credit for a company's growth, forgetting the team and market that made it possible.
- A nation that once led the world in generosity becoming isolationist and proud.
- A local church that grows numerically but loses its sense of dependence on God.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does God sometimes allow powerful nations to fall?
- Does my personal success come from God, or am I building my own 'cedar'?
- How can I avoid the pride that leads to downfall?
Leading a Discussion
This passage uses a vivid tree allegory to show the rise and fall of empires. The cedar of Assyria represents everything Egypt aspired to be, and everything it will lose. As you discuss, consider how the same patterns of pride and judgment appear in our own lives and communities.
Discussion questions
- Why does Ezekiel date this prophecy so precisely (v.1)? What does that tell us about God's timing?
- In verse 2, God asks Pharaoh, 'Whom are you like in your greatness?' How would you answer that question for yourself or your nation?
- The cedar is nourished by waters (v.4). What do these 'waters' represent in Assyria's case? In Egypt's? In your own life?
- Verse 6 describes all nations living under the tree's shadow. What responsibilities come with power and influence?
- The garden of God imagery (vv.8-9) connects Assyria to Eden. Why might Ezekiel use creation language here?
- God says, 'I made it beautiful' (v.9). How does acknowledging God as the source of our gifts change the way we hold them?
- What does this passage teach us about the relationship between human pride and divine judgment?
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Jeremiah 52:5 | So the city was besieged to the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. |
| Jeremiah 52:6 | In the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was severe in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land. |
| Ezekiel 1:2 | In the fifth of the month, which was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, |
| Ezekiel 30:20 | In the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month, Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, |
| Isaiah 14:13 | You said in your heart, “I will ascend into heaven! I will exalt my throne above the stars of God! I will sit on the mountain of assembly, in the far north! |
| Isaiah 14:14 | I will ascend above the heights of the clouds! I will make myself like the Most High!” |
| Jeremiah 1:5 | “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you. I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” |
| Jeremiah 1:17 | “You therefore put your belt on your waist, arise, and say to them all that I command you. Don’t be dismayed at them, lest I dismay you before them. |
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
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What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes points out that this warning to Egypt gains its force from a recent historical event: Assyria, after four centuries of supremacy, had just been overthrown by Babylon and Media at Carchemish. The water imagery represents the riches and power that flowed into Assyria, making its fall a vivid lesson for Pharaoh.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary reads the cedar allegory as a straightforward picture of Pharaoh's pride and fall, but it highlights the deliberate incongruities in the imagery. The tree is rooted in Lebanon, nourished by the Nile, and located in Eden, all at once. These blended images drive home that even Pharaoh's unmatched greatness ends the same way as every other proud power: descent into Sheol.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill stresses that God Himself raised the Assyrian king to unrivaled greatness, like a cedar planted and nourished
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB stresses that Egypt is compared to Assyria not to predict its total destruction, but to show it will lose its world power just as Assyria did. The cedar imagery illustrates Assyria's pride and fall, with all its glory ultimately traced to God's free grace.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch insist the cedar in this passage is explicitly Assyria, not a generic tree or a symbol for Egypt. The prophet recalls Assyria's rise as a towering cedar and its sudden downfall to warn Pharaoh that Egypt's pride will meet the same end. The historical example of a once-great empire already destroyed serves as a deliberate lesson.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange reads this prophecy as a deliberate historical parallel, using Assyria's recent destruction in 606 BC as a living warning for Egypt. God's point is that the same pride that brought down the cedar of Assyria will bring down the king of Egypt, and no earthly greatness can withstand divine judgment.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry sees the timing of this prophecy as its main comfort. Spoken just before Jerusalem fell, it assured God's people that the cup of judgment was circling and would soon pass from their hands to those who hated them.