Ezekiel 17:8
It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.
Original Language Analysis
טּ֛וֹב
in a good
H2896
טּ֛וֹב
in a good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
3 of 15
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
מַ֥יִם
waters
H4325
מַ֥יִם
waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
5 of 15
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
רַבִּ֖ים
by great
H7227
רַבִּ֖ים
by great
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
6 of 15
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
הִ֣יא
H1931
הִ֣יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
7 of 15
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לַעֲשׂ֤וֹת
that it might bring forth
H6213
לַעֲשׂ֤וֹת
that it might bring forth
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
9 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְלָשֵׂ֣את
and that it might bear
H5375
וְלָשֵׂ֣את
and that it might bear
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
11 of 15
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
לִהְי֖וֹת
H1961
לִהְי֖וֹת
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
13 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Historical Context
Nebuchadnezzar had been relatively lenient after the 597 BC deportation, leaving the temple intact and maintaining the Davidic line through Zedekiah. Archaeological evidence shows continued economic activity in Judah. Zedekiah's rebellion was a calculated political gamble, not desperate response to oppression.
Questions for Reflection
- How can we faithfully serve God in circumstances we didn't choose?
- What does 'blooming where you're planted' mean while maintaining spiritual integrity?
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Analysis & Commentary
God's rhetorical question emphasizes the vine's already favorable position—it was 'planted in a good soil by great waters.' Babylon had treated Judah reasonably well as a vassal state. The vine could become 'a goodly vine,' bearing fruit for God even in subjugation. This reveals: God's purposes can be fulfilled under difficult circumstances. Zedekiah's rebellion stemmed from pride, not oppression. The passage challenges the assumption that political independence equals spiritual faithfulness.