Ezekiel 17:9
Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֥ה
H3541
כֹּ֥ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 26
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
תִּצְלָ֑ח
Shall it prosper
H6743
תִּצְלָ֑ח
Shall it prosper
Strong's:
H6743
Word #:
6 of 26
to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
הֲלוֹא֩
H3808
הֲלוֹא֩
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תִּיבָ֔שׁ
it shall wither
H3001
תִּיבָ֔שׁ
it shall wither
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
14 of 26
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
טַרְפֵּ֤י
in all the leaves
H2964
טַרְפֵּ֤י
in all the leaves
Strong's:
H2964
Word #:
16 of 26
something torn, i.e., a fragment, e.g., a fresh leaf, prey, food
צִמְחָהּ֙
of her spring
H6780
צִמְחָהּ֙
of her spring
Strong's:
H6780
Word #:
17 of 26
a sprout (usually concrete), literal or figurative
תִּיבָ֔שׁ
it shall wither
H3001
תִּיבָ֔שׁ
it shall wither
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
18 of 26
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בִזְרֹ֤עַ
power
H2220
בִזְרֹ֤עַ
power
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
20 of 26
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
גְּדוֹלָה֙
even without great
H1419
גְּדוֹלָה֙
even without great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
21 of 26
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וּבְעַם
people
H5971
וּבְעַם
people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
22 of 26
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
רָ֔ב
or many
H7227
רָ֔ב
or many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
23 of 26
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
לְמַשְׂא֥וֹת
to pluck it up
H5375
לְמַשְׂא֥וֹת
to pluck it up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
24 of 26
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
Historical Context
Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem (588-586 BC) after learning of the Egyptian alliance. Egyptian forces briefly appeared but retreated (Jeremiah 37:5-11). The city fell in 586 BC; Zedekiah was captured, his sons executed before his eyes, and he was blinded and taken to Babylon (2 Kings 25:1-7).
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'rebellions' against God's will appear to prosper but are doomed?
- How should certainty of God's judgment affect our choices today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's questions demand contemplation of rebellion's futility: 'Shall it prosper?' The answer: emphatic no. Judgment is comprehensive—Babylon 'shall pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof.' The Hebrew yabesh ('wither') denotes complete death. Critically, this destruction requires no 'great power'—Babylon's victory is divinely decreed. The principle: resisting God's sovereign purposes brings inevitable judgment.