Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine

Ezekiel 17

1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 c "Son of man, d propound a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel; 3 say, Thus says the Lord God: e A great eagle f with great wings and long pinions, f rich in plumage of many colors, came g to Lebanon h and took the top of the cedar. 4 He broke off the topmost of its young twigs and carried it to a land of trade and set it in a city of merchants. 5 Then he took of the seed of the land i and planted it in fertile soil. 1 He placed it beside abundant waters. j He set it like a willow twig, 6 and it sprouted and became a k low l spreading vine, and its branches turned toward him, and its roots remained where it stood. So it became a vine and produced branches and put out boughs.

7 m "And there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage, m and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him and shot forth its branches toward him from n the bed where it was planted, that he might water it. 8 i It had been planted on good soil by abundant waters, that it might produce branches and bear fruit and become a noble vine.

9 "Say, Thus says the Lord God: m Will it thrive? Will he not pull up its roots and cut off its fruit, so that it withers, so that all its fresh sprouting leaves wither? It will not take a strong arm or many people to pull it from its roots. 10 Behold, it is planted; will it thrive? o Will it not utterly wither when the east wind strikes it - wither away on the bed where it sprouted?"

11 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 12 "Say now to p the rebellious house, q Do you not know what these things mean? Tell them, behold, r the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and took her king and her princes and brought them to him to Babylon. 13 s And he took one of the royal offspring 2 t and made a covenant with him, u putting him under oath ( v the chief men of the land he had taken away), 14 that the kingdom might be humble and not lift itself up, and keep his covenant that it might stand. 15 w But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors x to Egypt, that they might give him horses and a large army. y Will he thrive? Can one escape who does such things? Can he z break the covenant and yet escape?

16 a "As I live, declares the Lord God, surely b in the place where the king dwells c who made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant with him he broke, in Babylon he shall die. 17 d Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company will not help him in war, e when mounds are cast up and siege walls built to cut off many lives. 18 He despised the oath in breaking the covenant, and behold, he gave his hand and did all these things; he shall not escape. 19 Therefore thus says the Lord God: As I live, surely it is my oath that he despised, and my covenant that he broke. I will return it upon his head. 20 f I will spread my net over him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon g and enter into judgment with him there h for the treachery he has committed against me. 21 And all the pick 3 of his troops shall fall by the sword, i and the survivors shall be scattered to every wind, and you shall know that j I am the Lord; I have spoken."

22 Thus says the Lord God: k "I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. l I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and m I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 n On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. o And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest. 24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord; p I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up q the green tree, and make q the dry tree flourish. r I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it."

  1. Cross References
    Ezekiel 2:1
    And he said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.
  2. Cross References
    Ezekiel 20:49
    Then I said, "Ah, Lord God! They are saying of me, 'Is he not a maker of parables?'
    Ezekiel 24:3
    And utter a parable to the rebellious house and say to them, Thus says the Lord God : "Set on the pot, set it on; pour in water also.
  3. Cross References
    Jeremiah 48:40
    For thus says the Lord : "Behold, one shall fly swiftly like an eagle and spread his wings against Moab.
  4. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:7
    And there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage, and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him and shot forth its branches toward him from the bed where it was planted, that he might water it.
  5. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:7
    And there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage, and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him and shot forth its branches toward him from the bed where it was planted, that he might water it.
  6. Cross References
    Jeremiah 22:23
    O inhabitant of Lebanon, nested among the cedars, how you will be pitied when pangs come upon you, pain as of a woman in labor!
  7. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:22
    Thus says the Lord God : "I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain.
    Ezekiel 31:3 - 4
    Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches and forest shade, and of towering height, its top among the clouds.
    Ezekiel 31:10
    Therefore thus says the Lord God : Because it towered high and set its top among the clouds, and its heart was proud of its height.
  8. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 8:7 - 10
    For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills.
  9. Cross References
    Isaiah 44:4
    They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams.
  10. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:14
    That the kingdom might be humble and not lift itself up, and keep his covenant that it might stand.
  11. Cross References
    Ezekiel 15:6
    Therefore thus says the Lord God : Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
  12. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:15
    But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and a large army. Will he thrive? Can one escape who does such things? Can he break the covenant and yet escape?
  13. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:15
    But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and a large army. Will he thrive? Can one escape who does such things? Can he break the covenant and yet escape?
  14. Cross References
    Ezekiel 31:4
    The waters nourished it; the deep made it grow tall, making its rivers flow around the place of its planting, sending forth its streams to all the trees of the field.
  15. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:5
    Then he took of the seed of the land and planted it in fertile soil. He placed it beside abundant waters. He set it like a willow twig.
  16. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:7
    And there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage, and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him and shot forth its branches toward him from the bed where it was planted, that he might water it.
  17. Cross References
    Ezekiel 19:12
    But the vine was plucked up in fury, cast down to the ground; the east wind dried up its fruit; they were stripped off and withered. As for its strong stem, fire consumed it.
    Hosea 13:15
    Though he may flourish among his brothers, the east wind, the wind of the Lord, shall come, rising from the wilderness, and his fountain shall dry up; his spring shall be parched; it shall strip his treasury of every precious thing.
  18. Cross References
    Ezekiel 2:3 - 5
    And he said to me, "Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day.
  19. Cross References
    Ezekiel 12:9 - 11
    "Son of man, has not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to you, 'What are you doing?'
  20. Cross References
    2 Kings 24:11 - 12
    And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it.
  21. Cross References
    2 Kings 24:17
    And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin's uncle, king in his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah.
  22. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:15 - 16
    But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and a large army. Will he thrive? Can one escape who does such things? Can he break the covenant and yet escape?
    Ezekiel 17:18
    He despised the oath in breaking the covenant, and behold, he gave his hand and did all these things; he shall not escape.
    2 Chronicles 36:13
    He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the Lord, the God of Israel.
  23. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:23
    But to them it will seem like a false divination. They have sworn solemn oaths, but he brings their guilt to remembrance, that they may be taken.
  24. Cross References
    2 Kings 24:14 - 15
    He carried away all Jerusalem and all the officials and all the mighty men of valor, 10,000 captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. None remained, except the poorest people of the land.
  25. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:7
    And there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage, and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him and shot forth its branches toward him from the bed where it was planted, that he might water it.
    Ezekiel 23:27
    Thus I will put an end to your lewdness and your whoring begun in the land of Egypt, so that you shall not lift up your eyes to them or remember Egypt anymore.
    2 Kings 24:20
    For because of the anger of the Lord it came to the point in Jerusalem and Judah that he cast them out from his presence. And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
    2 Chronicles 36:13
    He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the Lord, the God of Israel.
    Jeremiah 37:5 - 7
    The army of Pharaoh had come out of Egypt. And when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard news about them, they withdrew from Jerusalem.
  26. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 17:16
    Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the Lord has said to you, 'You shall never return that way again.
    Isaiah 31:1
    Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord!
    Isaiah 31:3
    The Egyptians are man, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall, and they will all perish together.
    Isaiah 36:6
    Behold, you are trusting in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
    Isaiah 36:9
    How then can you repulse a single captain among the least of my master's servants, when you trust in Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
  27. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:9 - 10
    Say, Thus says the Lord God : Will it thrive? Will he not pull up its roots and cut off its fruit, so that it withers, so that all its fresh sprouting leaves wither? It will not take a strong arm or many people to pull it from its roots.
  28. Cross References
    Ezekiel 16:59
    For thus says the Lord God : I will deal with you as you have done, you who have despised the oath in breaking the covenant.
    Ezekiel 17:13
    And he took one of the royal offspring and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath ( the chief men of the land he had taken away).
  29. Cross References
    Ezekiel 16:48
    As I live, declares the Lord God, your sister Sodom and her daughters have not done as you and your daughters have done.
  30. Cross References
    Ezekiel 12:13
    And I will spread my net over him, and he shall be taken in my snare. And I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, yet he shall not see it, and he shall die there.
  31. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:13
    And he took one of the royal offspring and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath ( the chief men of the land he had taken away).
  32. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:15
    But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and a large army. Will he thrive? Can one escape who does such things? Can he break the covenant and yet escape?
    Jeremiah 37:5 - 8
    The army of Pharaoh had come out of Egypt. And when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard news about them, they withdrew from Jerusalem.
  33. Cross References
    Ezekiel 4:2
    And put siegeworks against it, and build a siege wall against it, and cast up a mound against it. Set camps also against it, and plant battering rams against it all around.
  34. Cross References
    Ezekiel 12:13
    And I will spread my net over him, and he shall be taken in my snare. And I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, yet he shall not see it, and he shall die there.
  35. Cross References
    Ezekiel 20:35
    And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face.
    Ezekiel 38:22
    With pestilence and bloodshed I will enter into judgment with him, and I will rain upon him and his hordes and the many peoples who are with him torrential rains and hailstones, fire and sulfur.
  36. Cross References
    Ezekiel 14:13
    Son of man, when a land sins against me by acting faithlessly, and I stretch out my hand against it and break its supply of bread and send famine upon it, and cut off from it man and beast.
  37. Cross References
    Ezekiel 5:10
    Therefore fathers shall eat their sons in your midst, and sons shall eat their fathers. And I will execute judgments on you, and any of you who survive I will scatter to all the winds.
  38. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:17
    I also will clap my hands, and I will satisfy m...
    Ezekiel 21:32
    You shall be fuel for the fire. Your blood shal...
    Ezekiel 26:5
    She shall be in the midst of the sea a place fo...
    Ezekiel 26:14
    I will make you a bare rock. You shall be a pla...
    Ezekiel 28:10
    You shall die the death of the uncircumcised by...
    Ezekiel 30:12
    And I will dry up the Nile and will sell the la...
    Ezekiel 34:24
    And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my serv...
    Ezekiel 39:5
    You shall fall in the open field, for I have sp...
    Ezekiel 17:24
    And all the trees of the field shall know that ...
  39. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:3
    Say, Thus says the Lord God : A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, rich in plumage of many colors, came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar.
  40. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:4
    He broke off the topmost of its young twigs and carried it to a land of trade and set it in a city of merchants.
  41. Cross References
    Psalms 2:6
    "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill."
  42. Cross References
    Ezekiel 20:40
    For on my holy mountain, the mountain height of Israel, declares the Lord God, there all the house of Israel, all of them, shall serve me in the land. There I will accept them, and there I will require your contributions and the choicest of your gifts, with all your sacred offerings.
    Ezekiel 34:14
    I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel.
  43. Cross References
    Ezekiel 31:6
    All the birds of the heavens made their nests in its boughs; under its branches all the beasts of the field gave birth to their young, and under its shadow lived all great nations.
    Daniel 4:12
    Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.
    Matthew 13:32
    It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.
  44. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:26 - 27
    Thus says the Lord God : Remove the turban and take off the crown. Things shall not remain as they are. Exalt that which is low, and bring low that which is exalted.
  45. Cross References
    Ezekiel 20:47
    Say to the forest of the Negeb, Hear the word of the Lord : Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you and every dry tree. The blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from south to north shall be scorched by it.
    Luke 23:31
    For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?
  46. Cross References
    Ezekiel 20:47
    Say to the forest of the Negeb, Hear the word of the Lord : Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you and every dry tree. The blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from south to north shall be scorched by it.
    Luke 23:31
    For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?
  47. Cross References
    Ezekiel 22:14
    Can your courage endure, or can your hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with you? I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.
    Ezekiel 24:14
    I am the Lord. I have spoken; it shall come to pass; I will do it. I will not go back; I will not spare; I will not relent; according to your ways and your deeds you will be judged, declares the Lord God.
    Ezekiel 36:36
    Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the Lord ; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the Lord ; I have spoken, and I will do it.
    Ezekiel 37:14
    And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord ; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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