Ezekiel 17

Ezekiel 17 presents a parable from God through the prophet Ezekiel, using vivid imagery to depict the fate of Judah. The parable tells the story of two eagles and a vine, symbolizing the political alliances Judah attempted to make with foreign nations, particularly Babylon and Egypt, rather than trusting in God. The chapter serves as a warning about the consequences of rebellion against God and a prophecy of eventual restoration.

Ezekiel 17:1-6 (NKJV)
1 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
2 “Son of man, pose a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel,
3 and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “A great eagle with large wings and long pinions, full of feathers of various colors, came to Lebanon and took from the cedar the highest branch.
4 He cropped off its topmost young twig and carried it to a land of trade; he set it in a city of merchants.
5 Then he took some of the seed of the land and planted it in a fertile field; he placed it by abundant waters and set it like a willow tree.
6 And it grew and became a spreading vine of low stature; its branches turned toward him, but its roots were under it. So it became a vine, brought forth branches, and put forth shoots.

God instructs Ezekiel to deliver a parable in the form of a riddle to Israel, symbolizing events involving Judah, Babylon, and Egypt. The “great eagle” represents Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, who takes the "highest branch" (representing King Jehoiachin) from Lebanon (symbolic for Jerusalem) and brings him to Babylon. The “seed of the land” refers to Zedekiah, who Nebuchadnezzar places as a vassal king in Judah, expecting loyalty. The imagery of a “spreading vine” illustrates Zedekiah’s rule under Babylon’s authority, showing a dependent yet stable position.

Ezekiel 17:7-10 (NKJV)
7 “But there was another great eagle with large wings and many feathers; and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him, and stretched its branches toward him from the garden terrace where it had been planted, that he might water it.
8 It was planted in good soil by many waters, to bring forth branches, bear fruit, and become a majestic vine.”’
9 “Say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Will it thrive? Will he not pull up its roots, cut off its fruit, and leave it to wither? All of its spring leaves will wither, and no great power or many people will be needed to pluck it up by its roots.
10 Behold, it is planted, but will it thrive? Will it not utterly wither when the east wind touches it? It will wither in the garden terrace where it grew.”’”

The second eagle represents Egypt, which Zedekiah turns to for military support in defiance of his Babylonian alliance. This action is portrayed as the vine seeking new nourishment, showing Zedekiah’s betrayal of Babylon’s support. The prophecy warns that this rebellion against Babylon will not succeed. The vine (Judah) will be uprooted and left to wither, foreshadowing Judah’s downfall as Babylon retaliates. The "east wind" symbolizes the impending Babylonian invasion that will bring desolation.

Ezekiel 17:11-15 (NKJV)
11 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
12 “Say now to the rebellious house: ‘Do you not know what these things mean?’ Tell them, ‘Indeed the king of Babylon went to Jerusalem and took its king and princes, and led them with him to Babylon.
13 And he took the king’s offspring, made a covenant with him, and put him under oath. He also took away the mighty of the land,
14 that the kingdom might be brought low and not lift itself up, but that by keeping his covenant it might stand.
15 But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and many people. Will he prosper? Will he who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and still be delivered?

God explains the parable directly to Ezekiel, clarifying that Judah’s exile and subjugation were consequences of their rebellion and failure to honor their covenant with Babylon. Zedekiah’s attempt to ally with Egypt, in defiance of his sworn allegiance to Babylon, is presented as a direct act of betrayal. The rhetorical questions emphasize the futility of Zedekiah’s actions, warning that breaking the covenant with Babylon will only lead to greater destruction for Judah.

Ezekiel 17:16-21 (NKJV)
16 ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke—with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.
17 Nor will Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company do anything in the war, when they heap up a siege mound and build a wall to cut off many persons.
18 Since he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, and in fact gave his hand and still did all these things, he shall not escape.
19 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “As I live, surely My oath which he despised, and My covenant which he broke, I will recompense on his own head.
20 I will spread My net over him, and he shall be taken in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon and try him there for the treason which he committed against Me.
21 All his fugitives with all his troops shall fall by the sword, and those who remain shall be scattered to every wind; and you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken.”

God declares the certainty of Zedekiah’s punishment for breaking his covenant. Despite Egypt’s might, Pharaoh will be powerless to help Judah. This section underscores the importance of loyalty and obedience to covenants. Zedekiah’s fate is sealed, as he will be taken to Babylon, where he will face judgment. His troops and supporters will be defeated, and Judah’s people will be scattered, affirming God’s judgment.

Ezekiel 17:22-24 (NKJV)
22 Thus says the Lord God: “I will take also one of the highest branches of the high cedar and set it out. I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and will plant it on a high and prominent mountain.
23 On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar. Under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches they will dwell.
24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the Lord, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish; I, the Lord, have spoken and have done it.”

The final verses offer a message of hope, promising future restoration. God will plant a new “tender branch” on Israel’s mountain, symbolizing the Messiah from David’s line who will rule righteously. This future leader will be like a “majestic cedar,” providing refuge and sustenance for many. The imagery of exalting the low tree and humbling the high tree reflects God’s sovereign power to lift the humble and bring down the proud. This prophecy points to God’s ultimate plan to restore Israel under a righteous ruler.