Ezekiel 17:7
There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֤י
H1961
וַיְהִ֤י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אֶחָד֙
There was also another
H259
אֶחָד֙
There was also another
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
3 of 21
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
כְּנָפַ֖יִם
wings
H3671
כְּנָפַ֖יִם
wings
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
6 of 21
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
וְרַב
and many
H7227
וְרַב
and many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
7 of 21
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
נוֹצָ֑ה
feathers
H5133
נוֹצָ֑ה
feathers
Strong's:
H5133
Word #:
8 of 21
a pinion (or wing feather); often (collectively) plumage
הַגֶּ֨פֶן
and behold this vine
H1612
הַגֶּ֨פֶן
and behold this vine
Strong's:
H1612
Word #:
10 of 21
a vine (as twining), especially the grape
עָלָ֗יו
H5921
עָלָ֗יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שִׁלְחָה
toward him and shot forth
H7971
שִׁלְחָה
toward him and shot forth
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
16 of 21
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
לְהַשְׁק֣וֹת
toward him that he might water
H8248
לְהַשְׁק֣וֹת
toward him that he might water
Strong's:
H8248
Word #:
18 of 21
to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to
אוֹתָ֔הּ
H853
אוֹתָ֔הּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Ezekiel 31:4The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field.Ezekiel 17:15But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?
Historical Context
This prophecy dates to approximately 591-590 BC, after Zedekiah's accession as Babylon's puppet king (597 BC) but before Jerusalem's final siege (588-586 BC). Egyptian Pharaoh Hophra (589-570 BC) encouraged Palestinian states to rebel against Babylon. Zedekiah allied with Egypt despite Jeremiah's warnings, triggering Nebuchadnezzar's devastating response.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you sought 'Egyptian' help—human solutions—instead of trusting God's provision?
- How does this passage challenge our tendency to hedge spiritual commitments with worldly backup plans?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse introduces the second great eagle in Ezekiel's parable, representing Egypt under Pharaoh Hophra. The vine (Judah/Zedekiah) treacherously 'bent her roots' toward Egypt, violating the covenant with Babylon. The Hebrew verb shathal ('transplant' or 'shoot forth') emphasizes active, deliberate action—Zedekiah wasn't passively drifting but actively seeking Egyptian alliance. This political maneuvering directly violated both the Babylonian vassal treaty and God's command through Jeremiah not to seek Egyptian help (Jeremiah 37:7-10). The theological principle: turning from God's ordained path to human alliances demonstrates lack of faith and brings divine judgment.