Ezekiel 17:23
In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.
Original Language Analysis
בְּהַ֨ר
In the mountain
H2022
בְּהַ֨ר
In the mountain
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
1 of 20
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
מְר֤וֹם
of the height
H4791
מְר֤וֹם
of the height
Strong's:
H4791
Word #:
2 of 20
altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְנָשָׂ֤א
it and it shall bring forth
H5375
וְנָשָׂ֤א
it and it shall bring forth
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
5 of 20
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
וְעָ֣שָׂה
and bear
H6213
וְעָ֣שָׂה
and bear
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
7 of 20
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְהָיָ֖ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֖ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אַדִּ֑יר
and be a goodly
H117
אַדִּ֑יר
and be a goodly
Strong's:
H117
Word #:
11 of 20
wide or (generally) large; figuratively, powerful
תִּשְׁכֹּֽנָּה׃
and under it shall dwell
H7931
תִּשְׁכֹּֽנָּה׃
and under it shall dwell
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
12 of 20
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
תַחְתָּ֗יו
H8478
תַחְתָּ֗יו
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
13 of 20
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
כֹּ֚ל
H3605
כֹּ֚ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כָּנָ֔ף
of every wing
H3671
כָּנָ֔ף
of every wing
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
17 of 20
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
Cross References
Matthew 13:32Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.Ezekiel 31:6All 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.Isaiah 2:2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.Colossians 3:11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.Galatians 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.Hosea 14:7They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
Historical Context
Israel's calling was always to bless all nations (Genesis 12:3). Ezekiel's contemporary Jeremiah also prophesied a righteous Branch from David who would reign wisely (Jeremiah 23:5-6), promises fulfilled in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How should the global, multi-ethnic nature of Christ's kingdom shape your view of missions and evangelism?
- What shelter and provision have you found in Christ that you could share with others?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The mountain imagery evokes Zion, God's holy hill from which His reign extends (Psalm 2:6, Isaiah 2:2-3). The universal gathering of 'fowl of every wing' represents all nations finding refuge in Messiah's kingdom (Matthew 8:11, Revelation 7:9). This reverses the eagle judgment imagery—God's king provides shelter rather than destruction.