Ezekiel 17:10
Yea, behold, being planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows where it grew.
Original Language Analysis
הֲתִצְלָ֑ח
shall it prosper
H6743
הֲתִצְלָ֑ח
shall it prosper
Strong's:
H6743
Word #:
3 of 14
to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
הֲלֹא֩
H3808
הֲלֹא֩
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כְגַ֨עַת
toucheth
H5060
כְגַ֨עַת
toucheth
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
ר֤וּחַ
wind
H7307
ר֤וּחַ
wind
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
7 of 14
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
הַקָּדִים֙
when the east
H6921
הַקָּדִים֙
when the east
Strong's:
H6921
Word #:
8 of 14
the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)
תִּיבָֽשׁ׃
it it shall wither
H3001
תִּיבָֽשׁ׃
it it shall wither
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
9 of 14
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
תִּיבָֽשׁ׃
it it shall wither
H3001
תִּיבָֽשׁ׃
it it shall wither
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
10 of 14
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עֲרֻגֹ֥ת
in the furrows
H6170
עֲרֻגֹ֥ת
in the furrows
Strong's:
H6170
Word #:
12 of 14
something piled up (as if (figuratively) raised by mental aspiration), i.e., a paterre
Historical Context
After Jerusalem fell (586 BC), refugees fled to Egypt despite Jeremiah's warnings (Jeremiah 42-43). Even there, no safety—Babylon invaded Egypt (568 BC), fulfilling Ezekiel 29-32. Archaeological evidence confirms Babylonian campaigns into Egypt.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'east winds' of consequence do we ignore while trusting false refuges?
- How does God's sovereignty over nations affect our response to political turmoil?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Even transplanted, the vine won't prosper. The 'east wind' (Hebrew qadiym)—scorching desert wind representing Babylon—will cause withering (Jeremiah 4:11, Hosea 13:15). It will 'utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it'—mere contact suffices for destruction. Theologically: seeking refuge apart from God transforms potential sanctuaries into places of judgment.