Ezekiel 17:6
And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּצְמַ֡ח
And it grew
H6779
וַיִּצְמַ֡ח
And it grew
Strong's:
H6779
Word #:
1 of 18
to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
וַיְהִי֩
H1961
וַיְהִי֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְגֶ֔פֶן
thereof were under him so it became a vine
H1612
לְגֶ֔פֶן
thereof were under him so it became a vine
Strong's:
H1612
Word #:
3 of 18
a vine (as twining), especially the grape
לִפְנ֤וֹת
turned
H6437
לִפְנ֤וֹת
turned
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
7 of 18
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
וְשָׁרָשָׁ֖יו
toward him and the roots
H8328
וְשָׁרָשָׁ֖יו
toward him and the roots
Strong's:
H8328
Word #:
10 of 18
a root (literally or figuratively)
תַּחְתָּ֣יו
H8478
תַּחְתָּ֣יו
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
11 of 18
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
יִֽהְי֑וּ
H1961
יִֽהְי֑וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
12 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וַתְּהִ֣י
H1961
וַתְּהִ֣י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
13 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְגֶ֔פֶן
thereof were under him so it became a vine
H1612
לְגֶ֔פֶן
thereof were under him so it became a vine
Strong's:
H1612
Word #:
14 of 18
a vine (as twining), especially the grape
וַתַּ֣עַשׂ
and brought forth
H6213
וַתַּ֣עַשׂ
and brought forth
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
15 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בַּדִּ֔ים
branches
H905
בַּדִּ֔ים
branches
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
16 of 18
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
Historical Context
Vassal treaties were common in ancient Near Eastern politics. The subordinate king swore loyalty oaths and paid tribute in exchange for protection. Zedekiah took such oaths before God (2 Chronicles 36:13) but treacherously broke them.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when God's will involves humbling circumstances rather than exaltation?
- Where might pride be preventing you from accepting God's appointed position for this season?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The 'low-spreading vine' describes the vassal kingdom relationship—Judah would survive but remain subordinate to Babylon. This was God's prescribed arrangement (Jeremiah 27:1-15). Accepting humble circumstances under God's sovereignty is sometimes the path of obedience, though pride rebels against subordination.